I had to rehome my boys. Heartbroken. What is the kindest way to go about it?

[BeamingBrenda]

The GP told me yesterday that the cats are probably making dds ezcema worse and the best thing to do is to rehome them. She is in a desperate state at the moment so I feel I have no choice.

I am heartbroken. We've only had them a year - since they were kittens. But they are very much part of the family.

I haven't told the kids yet. DD2 didn't take much notice when the doctor said it - she's only 4.

I want them to stay together. They are brothers and very bonded to each other.

I don't know anyone that could take them.

Which is the kindest way to do this?

Hold on - have you tried anything else yet? How do you know its the cats and not the weather change, cows milk/ other diet etc? If its been a year, why now? surely you would have noticed a big problem a year ago?

Do you use creams/ special products for bathing? Have you changed washing powder?

Sorry if this is all teaching you to suck eggs and all, but Gps often recommend the easiest things to try, they don't necessary know for sure its the cats.

For example, we thought my DH was allergic to cats - turns out he's allergic to dust mites so its the carpets that are the issue, not the moggy.

My ezcema has gone crazy this week and last because of the weather, could it be that?

She says the cat hair makes her itch and I mentioned it to the GP.

Are there allergy tests we can buy that are reliable?

The GP won't allergy test but has sent us to a dermatologist. Her appointment is next week.

They will do a range of allergy tests for eczema. For DH they put a load of allergens in little dishes on his back. Maybe you could ask for cat hair to be included?

DH had his done as part of a research trial, so i'm not sure about reputable private tests - although its a common thing for private doctors to offer round my way.

allergy uk have some advice on different kinds of testing:

www.allergyuk.org/diagnosis--testing-of-allergy/diagnosis-and-testing

hope it's not the cats

I would wait to see the dermatologist and have allergy testing ( cat saliva is actually the most common allergen) before getting rid of cats. If I had a pound for every person who had got rid of cats because the GP had said it was causing the child's asthma/eczema and then they discover later that it is not I would be a very rich woman.

The GP/dermatologist can easily do a RAST test to see if she is allergic to cats.

I asked for allergy testing and he said no.

I will ask the dematologist but what if she says no as well?

No, please do some research into what's causing the eczema. I know that cat saliva can set asthma off, but the GP isn't an expert.

Is there any way you could foster the cats out whilst you investigate the cause of the eczema?

A nurse at the eczema clinic (who clearly disliked cats) suggested we get rid of ours to help my Dd's eczema.
I think people see it as an easy suggestion. Push for the allergy testing.
Three years on we still have our cat and Dd's eczema is much improved.

A lot of people dislike cats and will blame them for all kinds of stuff it's just a cop out.

Before rehoming there are some things you can try. Make sure the cats are never in her bedroom. If you have hard flooring up your sweeping and mopping and if you have carpet up your hoovering. Get your DD a plastic chair for the sitting room that can be wiped down and keep her away from their favourite chairs/cushions. Use a zoom groom on the cats daily.

One suggestion- can you book the cats into a cattery for a couple of weeks, do a thorough clean, and see how her excema is?

Worth a try rather than go straight to re-homing?

DS2 has eczema we have two cats and its dust mites that sends his off. I also have Asthma and my cats don't set it off and I: brush our cats regularly with a Furminator brush outside (they have them on Amazon), Hoover downstairs frequently, I don't allow cats in bedrooms/beds. I also have a Bionaire machine in the DC room at night - this stopped night time coughs immediately (it sucks dust particles up) and I air the main living spaces with windows/doors open regular as well.

Also there's this stuff, I bought it but tbh I haven't noticed a difference (but again our allergies aren't really cat related) - Petal Cleanse - you wipe over some of this stuff (it's safe for cats) on their fur using a cloth, apparently it helps with dander.

I'm assuming as it's heading to winter cats will be shedding more as they're getting their winter coats in but don't quote me on it!

It's worth making absolutely sure that it is the cats, for their sake. 1 year old brothers are not going to be snapped up quickly - Cats Protection and the RSPCA are full of 1/2/3 year old cats. They aren't as cute as kittens and finding homes for them can be really tough...unfortunately they are common in rescues, too, a lot of people get rid of their cats when they aren't cute kittens anymore.

If you do put them in a cattery for a few weeks, you could ask the cattery owner to advertise them, and someone who goes in might see. You could also put up flyers at the vets, and alert local charities like your local Cats Protection branch.

Unfortunately there is no easy and kind way to go about rehoming older cats. Go for a rescue with a no-kill policy if you can, and if not, the one that gives the cats the longest time to find a new home. Don't advertise them for free or very cheaply on sites like Pets4Homes, because they are likely to get used for things you don't even want to think about.

Oh god I couldn't put them in a cattery with a kill policy. That has brought me to tears.

I don't want to sell them. I'm not interested in making money.

I just want to find them a good home.

But I will wait until dds appointment next week and hope I can get allergy testing.

Not cattery, I mean rescue home.

I'm too upset to think straight.

They are my boys.

Beaming please do wait until you've seen the dermatologist. I have two cats and a DD who gets awful eczema and hayfever etc. Consultant assured us it wasn't the cats and encouraged us to keep them

Had to post in a rush earlier there is a whole raft of evidence that keeping pets actually reduces allergy levels in children. So rushing into getting rid of cats when there is no evidence that they are responsible is unwise.
By far and away the most common allergen for eczema is house dust mites which cats have no influence on.
Where cat saliva is the allergen rhinitis and streaming eyes are the most common symptoms not eczema.

I'm very suspicious of a diagnosis with no testing. You can't just say it's an allergy.

Maybe derm will do a test to confirm or deny this allergy?. So far it's just a differential diagnosis.

The advice we had was once they are 2 allergy tests are reasonably reliable ( though allergies change over time of course) and we had testing done via her paediatric dermatologist at local hospital. Had to wait for enough good skin to be there ( dd had really awful eczema which looked like I had poured boiling oil over her). Proved sadly she was allergic to cats and dogs and various other things. We did rehome our beloved cat to a local person and went to see him sometimes. Dd now has 2 cats (12 years on) and not especially allergic. Various docs have told us since they would have gone for better antihistamines etc and not told us to get rid of cat. I think pets are really important to kids and we've always had loads: cats dogs rabbits guinea pigs stick insects chickens. Don't rush into it

First of all, GPs (usually) know sod all about eczema. Bit harsh but probably true. They receive minimal training in skin conditions and things like nutrition/diet so I really wouldn't take his/her words as gospel. Dermatologists can also be really crap, but hopefully the one you get to see will be good. For god's sake, don't let them prescribe Aqueous Cream - it's shit for skin with eczema but they still do it (shows their ignorance)

1. Allergy testing - push for it - be bolshy if you have to.
2. Test for intolerances - tomato, lactose, anything you can think of.
3. Children often grow out of eczema. Not much of a help now but it does happen.
4. Suggestions above, such as no cat in bedroom, thorough hoovering, Petal Cleanse are all worth a try.
5. Try Aveeno products (Amazon but you can get your GP to give you a prescription).
6. Try Skin Salvation Cream by Pure Potions. Direct from website, Amazon or some pharmacies stock. They also do a bath oil.
7. Cotton fabrics only as far as possible.
8. Don't have central heating up high. Put a bowl of water near radiator in her room to maintain a bit of moisture in the environment.
9. Try not to give her too much dairy. You may well have tried this already but it's a known cause of flare-ups.
10. Does she go swimming?

10. What moisturising creams are you using? Diprobase, all those variations are worth trying until you find one that helps. 11. Has she ever had steroids? Lots of people are afraid to use them, but if used properly, they can get the skin back to a more "normal" level and control the itching/scratching a bit better.

Sorry if you've done all this already. Eczema is such a bastard condition and can horribly affect the person with it and the whole family, especially when it's a child. Did you notice a big change when you first got the cats a year ago?

Another way to rule out the allergy would be if a friend or family member could look after the cats for a week or so (or DD could go and stay with somebody without cats) just to eliminate that from her environment. Would probably be better from an investigation POV to remove the cats rather than her but would be stressful for the animals which you can't really explain things to.

Bagel has gave great advice OP but just remembered a couple more - have you tried using a different laundry detergent? Also a cycle with extra rinse is good too. Also I make sure that DS is dried thoroughly after a bath before he puts clothes on/mosturise.

Am sure I also read similar studies suggesting that overly sterile home environment can be counter productive in regards to some allergies.