Has anyone overcome a cat allergy?

[Katielady]

I grew up with cats my whole life. I haven't had one for a few years but have been around others' cats with no problem. We adopted a cat, Bodhi, a week and a half ago and I seem to be allergic to him. I get itchy eyes, sudden severe congestion, and when he gets saliva on me my skin itches. My symptoms are (mostly) relieved by claritin but that's not a good long-term solution. I've done a lot of reading about it and I did read that testosterone greatly increases the level of allergen the cat produced. Our Bodhi was only neutered two weeks before we got him, and he's 2, so it will take a while for his testosterone levels to go down. I'm hoping that will lessen my allergies. We have stopped letting him in our bedroom and I cleaned our sheets and blanket. I don't let him rub his face on my face anymore (not easy to stop him, he is so cuddly!)

I suppose my next step is to see an allergist. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone out there has developed a cat allergy later in life (I'm 37 for goodness sake!) and if you were able to overcome it enough to make it possible to live with a cat. I'll do the shots if I need to. Is there other stuff I can do, maybe to boost my own immune system? Help!

[Ophelia]

I grew up with a cat and then didn't have any past about 25 years old. When I stopped living with them I got really allergic to them. One thing that does help when visiting others with cats is if they have minimal to none wall to wall carpet.
Also what do you feed? I have read that a raw natural diet for them can help.

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by Ophelia 

I grew up with a cat and then didn't have any past about 25 years old. When I stopped living with them I got really allergic to them. One thing that does help when visiting others with cats is if they have minimal to none wall to wall carpet.
Also what do you feed? I have read that a raw natural diet for them can help.

I've been wondering if his diet is making it worse. We only just adopted him and he was getting friskies at the shelter. We are slowly transitioning him to ProPlan for sensitive stomach. He has chronic diarrhea/soft stools, I'm guessing from the friskies. So maybe the crappy diet is making him produce more allergen. I'm hoping that when his testosterone levels go down and his diet is better, he will produce less of the allergen. We'll see. meanwhile I see an allergist tuesday and will sign up for the shots if I test positive.

[kfillmore]

You could look into acupuncture related healing-NAET and AAT?

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by kfillmore 

You could look into acupuncture related healing-NAET and AAT?

I might. Meanwhile, I got allergy-tested and was positive for cat (and nothing else!) The doc said it's fairly common- you have cats, then go a few years without, then get one and find you're allergic to it. Who knew? He said he sees it sometimes in kids who went away to college. What a pain.

After briefly considering rehoming the cat, I decided to get the shots. He says they work really well. I mean it's basically like homeopathy. If that doesn't work or if want more of a boost while I'm getting treatment, I might go for acupuncture. Thanks!

[RavenStar]

I got allergy shots for cats as a kid and they worked for me.  I also have a friend who said that when she took out foods she was sensitive to, her other allergies got much better.  Good luck!
 

[sandwiches]

My dh had a cat as a kid and developed a severe allergic reaction overnight. So sad, he looooves cats! As an adult he started allergy shots and is now on the maintenance dose. We got a cat three years ago (neutered male) and it has been great. Dh really doesn't seem to react to our cat. He does take some meds every for his asthma and seasonal allergies. Our life is so much better now with our little buddy that it's totally worth it : ) His allergist said getting a cat works like an allergy shot by desensitizing you over time. She indicated it could take about a month, anecdotally. My dad and sister are both somewhat allergic to cats (itchy eyes and skin) and they both got cats and did ok in the long run. Cats are such sweeties! I hope it works out for you.

We recently switched our cat to Evo wet food and his skin seems to be much less flaky. I'm not sure it that would help someone with allergies, but he looks better and seems more comfy.