Asthma/school/cats

[Asthmakitty]

My daughter was diagnosed with potential asthma after 2 years of working out what is going on.

A week before she was diagnosed we got two kittens. Two months later we got a beloved sphynx. She has always lived with dogs, and even cats when she was smaller (5 now)

Her asthma in general is getting worse and worse. Her pumps are needed more often. She is on the brown twice a day at 2 pumps and blue when needed up to 6 every 4 hours. Including medicine of an evening to help nighttime asthma flare ups. They are never this bad when at home in general for longer periods as I give it when needed.

My question is this - when she flares up badly we are told 6 pumps every 4 hours when she is awake. The school haven't been following this. Could this be potentially why she is getting so bad? As the reason asthma became something the doctors looked into was due to her health issues.

We are taking her privately to be tested for a cat allergy. But this honestly is throwing me. As she was fine with cats when tiny. Is and has been for nearly 5 years with dogs. Its only became more of an issue since the school isn't listening. I also now knowing asthma is a very likely thing, cat dander can play a major part.

Ofc this is all very distressing for us as a family. My daughter especially is very animal focussed. I don't want to part with them unless its needed for her. As ofc she comes first. But I also feel like there are contributing factors which aren't being fully addressed either.

When I called 111 last night they advised they wanted to raise a safe guarding concern for the school as they hadn't done what they were meant to. Which I do agree with. But I also appreciate its all still early days and they are learning as I am, her warning signs. And ofc I have the upper hand there as I know the signs I'm learning are pump worthy, are things I've always said "she is getting unwell cos of xyz" .

Do you have carpets. My partner is allergic to cats and we have loads. I got an air purifier for the bedroom and we replaced the carpets with wooden flooring. It's so much better for them now. He got used to each cat but will react to a new one. But the carpet removal made a huge difference

I have severe asthma. How often is your dd having these flare ups? Her asthma is obviously uncontrolled and they should be adjusting her meds to suit. That much blue is fine in a crisis but if it’s continuous then something is wrong. Obviously the school should be following the medical plan, but maybe she’s not bad there?
Re the cats/allergies. I randomly developed allergies over the last 10years or so that I didn’t have before including animals. It’s got ridiculous what I’m allergic too now. I have 2 dogs. They are non shedding dogs and I am mostly ok around them. I find their pee really makes my asthma worse though (have started having accidents). They aren’t allowed upstairs though. They are nearly 13 and 14yrs old and I won’t get any more when they are gone. When I go to other peoples houses with dogs and cats I can get caught up.

I’m sorry to say this but I think you need to consider getting rid of all of the pets. I grew up with cats and dogs and would go through phases of being allergic to them / getting used to them / having flare ups etc etc, the same animal on different days affects me differently. It’s impossible to predict and I’m not sure an allergy test would be that helpful. And I have mild asthma - not as bad as your daughter’s which sounds uncontrolled. I spent my childhood needing my blue inhaler on and off in different amounts and found it really challenging. Now I’m an adult, living a pet free life has been life changing. I feel normal and healthy for the first time.