DS allergy to new kittens

[footballmum]

Hi there. I'm new to the litter tray! We had two gorgeous new kittens on 2nd Jan. They are our first pets and we spent ages agonising over whether to have them but they've fit in really well and are a wonderful new addition to our family

One problem though-it turns out DS1 age 11 is allergic to them! He's only had brief contact with cats before and it took a few days for him to start sneezing so it's obviously not a serious allergy. However now he's in constant contact with them he's sneezing all the time. I've tried loritadine which has had little effect and we're currently trying a child's nasal spray. Trouble is DS is a proper diva about taking any sort of medication-he hates it! Be won't swallow medicine and the nasal spray is such a drama that we need to try and find an alternative. Tablets are definitely the better option and I'm going to try the pharmacy again tomorrow but would welcome suggestions from anyone else who's had the same problems?

[footballmum]

Bump?

[cozietoesie]

Bad news for you all, footballmum. I have very little experience of cat allergies, I'm afraid, but I know other posters do so keep a weather eye on the thread for when they come on the board.

Does he have any other allergies by the way?

[DishwasherDogs]

If the allergy isn't too severe, I would try waiting it out for a few more weeks.
I am allergic to cats, but after 3-4 weeks of having a kitten I find I am "used" to it and it doesn't affect me any more. I have heard of this happening to others, but obviously it's not guaranteed.

If you decide to go down the antihistamine route, there are tablets that are tiny and easy to swallow.

[Clarabell33]

We got a kitten knowing DH had an allergy. He said that it had always diminished in the past with prolonged exposure and he wanted a cat too, so wasn't just me He is still a little wheezy and sneezy 18 months on, but a LOT better, both at home and when we go to houses where there are pets (cats and dogs). He does take Loratidine regularly though, and occasionally needs his inhaler and eye drops, but considering the state he would end up in after 10min in someone's house before we got our kitten, it's actually worth it (his words) for the reduced level of allergy in general. So may be worth sticking it out for a while longer - I think it was a couple of months before DH had built up any resistance.

[bruffin]

Dh is allergic to cats but gets "used" to them after a few weeks. He does make sure he doesnt touch his face after touching cat. We have had a rescue cat for 4 years and he doesnt have a problem.
DS 19 was also tested allergic to cats but he always has rhinitis before we had a cat anyway. He loves her to bits and wouldnt be without her

[QueenOfTheSlipstream]

Agree with PPs. I've been allergic to cats for years but got my girl 18 months ago and kittens last year. I had reactions at first but they wore off. Occasionally it gets to me, so I just try not to touch my face after touching them, that sort of thing. They're so lovely and we're so soppy about them, it's worth the occasional irritation!

[footballmum]

Thank you so much for replying everyone!! I feel much better now. Since I first posted I've done so more research and understand a little more about the allergy. DS is a dreadful nail biter so the hand to face thing may be making it much worse.

He's got no other allergies other than mild hay fever during the summer months when eye drops tend to sort him out. He got really distressed last night because he was sneezing so much he couldn't get to sleep. However he has been encouraging the cats to sit in his lap and get on his bed so I stripped him and the bed and put fresh sheets on. I also found some cetirizine in the medicine box so gave him one and it knocked him out. I've bought some more today and found out I should only have given him half a tablet He slept well though!!

I feel reassured by the fact that it is possible to get accustomed to the allergy. He'd be heartbroken if we had to rehome them.

[coalscuttle]

Are you sure it was cetirizine? Cetirizine is non-drowsy. I live with dogs but am very allergic to cats. I don't mind taking anti histamines short term, when staying with friends for example, but I really would resent taking them long term.

[footballmum]

It was. It says on the box I've just bought (Lloyds own brand) that thy may cause drowsiness so maybe it depends on the brand? I'll keep an eye out for the non-drowsy variety.

I don't want him to be taking antihistamines long term. I have a friend who's very allergic and she has some sort of injection once a year because she refuses to rehome her cats!! I'm not sure whether that's available for children but I may look into it if it doesn't settle down.

[LadyTurmoil]

i would make his bedroom a no-cat zone. He may love having the cats up there but it would be best if they weren't going in there. Door shut during day, take clothes off in the bathroom, wash hands etc and keep his room free of cat hair/dander. Would that be possible?

[footballmum]

Yes definitely Lady. Doors been shut all day today and the laundry basket is being moved into the bathroom so he can get changed and put fresh PJs on in there. I might even make him jump in the shower before bed. He's not has much physical contact with them today and he's been washing his hands more frequently and he's definitely better so fingers crossed!

[RiverRocks]

football I was allergic to our kittens to start with. After about 3 weeks on anti histamines it settled and I've had no problems since. Good thing really as DH (then DP) was undecided which to get rid of - the cats or me

I think I've also read somewhere about kitten fur being worse than cat fur, but couldn't point you to where I found that.

[mousmous]

tbh I would rehome them.
how miserable for your dc not to be comfortable in his own home.

[bruffin]

Mousmous
have you read the thread, many people get used to their cat.

[chockbic]

Allergies can improve as you get older. Probably not much consolation at the moment.

Fingers crossed things work out.

[mousmous]

I have read the thread, I still find it irresponsible to keep a pet if a member of the household is allergic.

[footballmum]

Mousmous if he continues to be allergic and none of the measure we put in place have an effect we will have to look at re homing. However, I've had some really useful advice which I'm pleased to say have really helped. DS hasn't sneezed once today and hasn't had to take an antihistamine.

It's easy to say "just re home them" but DS adores the kittens and would be devastated if that happened. We owe it to him as much as the kittens to try everything possible to avoid that happening.

I wanted some practical realistic advice from other cat owners which is why I posted in the Litter Tray. I knew that if I posted elsewhere I'd be accused of being a cruel negligent mother and to re home the cats!

To everyone else who has posted-thank you. Given the dramatic improvement I've seen in DS just over the last 24 hours tells me that it's not a serious allergy and probably more of an "intolerance" which, with time, will pass.

[bruffin]

The benefits of our cat outweighs the odd snuffy noses. I dont think that is being irresponsible and as prviously said many people get used to their own cat within a few weeks. Neither dh or ds would be without her. We are thinking of getting another although we do go for shorthairs.

[LadyTurmoil]

Really pleased to hear that there's an improvement - great news after just 24 hours I am allergic to certain dogs but not others (more if they lick me than just their hair) but it's possible to take simple measures that improve things, which you've obviously done.

Think we need a pic of kittens and DS now!