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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Adopting a 7 year old

100 replies

jamesdeandaydream · 26/12/2015 15:28

I took dd (1yo) to a cat shelter on Christmas Eve with full intentions of reserving a 3 year old boy I'd seen the previous day. When we introduced him to dd he just wasn't too keen on being around her so we had a look around and came across a beautiful black and white 7 year old girl who warmed to us both straight away. Dd instantly gave her a kiss on the mouth (her new habit that I'm trying to stop) and also hugged her and the cat was purring and enjoying every second. She was so loving and gorgeous. The age factor put me off but I can't not take her after seeing how good she was with dd.

Any tips on adopting an older cat? Am I doing the right thing? I'm so excited but a bit clueless at the same time - she'll be my first cat!

OP posts:

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 30/12/2015 23:44

No other allergies. Never had a rash until now

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 30/12/2015 23:45

Yes, Wolfiefan has good advice (I knew someone would!)

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2015 23:46

Any temperature? Ears could be ear infection.

Vinorosso74 · 30/12/2015 23:48

Sounds like her ears are hurting. I would see dr in morning. Can you give her some Piriton?
Unless they mention allergy don't mention getting a cat as I found a lot of medical professionals were quick to blame us having a cat for DDs eczema.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 30/12/2015 23:49

No temperature. The runny eyes/wheezing and the rash tells me that it's an allergic reaction. Surely it can't be coincidence?

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2015 23:51

If she went with you to the shelter and touched the cat then I would be surprised it didn't come out then.
I'm allergic to horses. I erupt in fetching hives after just a few minutes. And only on exposed skin. Then the asthma starts

thecatneuterer · 30/12/2015 23:51

YY to that Vinorosso. The number of cats we get brought to us because doctors blame every medical condition under the sun on cats you wouldn't believe. And a lot of those people call us asking for their cat back some weeks later as the cat has gone but the condition hasn't, and lo and behold it's actually something else altogether.

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2015 23:54

But when she first met the cat she kissed it on the mouth? If she didn't react then I would be stunned it is the cat.
I could be talking utter rot but I think cat saliva (where they groom themselves) can be a source of allergy.
When my Dsis had asthma my mother was told to get rid of the cat by one doctor. Luckily our GP disagreed.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 30/12/2015 23:56

When we first met the cat last week she had a cold so I didn't notice anything different. I hope I'm wrong

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 30/12/2015 23:57

A virus can result in a non specific rash. I really hope the two aren't related.

Vinorosso74 · 30/12/2015 23:58

I'm definitely surprised reaction didn't happen at shelter or earlier today. There's nothing else could cause it eg. washing powder etc. I hope your DD is ok.
catneuterer that is bad so many cats are blamed for illnesses. I know some people are genuinely allergic but I was shocked when one eczema nurse got on her high horse about cats.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 31/12/2015 00:08

No changes in terms of washing powder etc. Will the cat be ok if I keep her in the kitchen overnight and shut the door?

OP posts:

TenThousandSpoons · 31/12/2015 00:16

Yes cat will be fine shut in kitchen as long as food, water, litter and something to sleep on are in there. Hope dd feels better soon and it's not an allergy. Just read whole thread and don't want a sad ending

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 31/12/2015 09:22

Dd slept ok for a few hours and within minutes of bringing her downstairs near the cat shes sneezing and coughing

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 31/12/2015 09:27

Oh Dear.

cozietoesie · 31/12/2015 09:29

I'm hoping that Lone will see this thread and be able to comment. She's had much experience on allergies with cats. (Both personally, if I recall, and as a vet.)

Vinorosso74 · 31/12/2015 09:29

Oh no . Am not sure what to suggest, are there any allergy experts reading this?
I honestly don't know what to recommend.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 31/12/2015 09:32

I know I've not even had her 24 hours yet but I'm so upset at the thought of having to take her back but I obviously can't let dd suffer like this. I've messaged the woman at the rescue centre to see what she suggests. Waiting for her reply.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 31/12/2015 09:45

Hoping lone sees this. So sorry.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 31/12/2015 09:51

The rescue woman said take her back

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 31/12/2015 09:52

Oh no. I'm so sorry. Still hoping Lone sees this.

timtam23 · 31/12/2015 10:21

Oh jamesdean I am so sorry, how difficult for you all after what seemed to be the perfect happy ending. I am still crossing my fingers that you can somehow keep the cat although of course DD's health must be the priority.

PolterGoose · 31/12/2015 10:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

jamesdeandaydream · 31/12/2015 10:57

The woman at the rescue centre is pissed off with me which make me feel even worse. I donated £100 and will give her everything I bought for the cat but I know that's nothing compared to being able to give her a home. I'd love more than anything to keep her but how can I? To top it all off she's just scratched dd's face. I think she can sense that somethings not right

OP posts:

isamonster · 31/12/2015 11:52

You're doing the right thing. My daughter has been hospitalised twice aged two and three because of her allergy to my exMIL's cats. It is very sad but when they're so young you can't do much to help. The second time the doctors went mad with me. I'd been overruled by exDP who didn't believe this could be causing her asthma.

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