Baby allergic to our cats - what would you do?

[Saffron]

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> ...OP stated baby has had skin prick tests which

> show cats as the problem, the testing would have

> included most of the other common allergens I

> would imagine.

It's important to note the difference between correlation and causation here. Atopy and asthma are correlated to each other, but one is not causative of the other. So while cat allergens may elicit a hypersensitivity response, they do not cause asthma (although once activated, some people's asthma is exacerbated by allergens).

Unseen to us the immune system is like our skin, constantly growing and changing throughout life. Just as everyone's skin is different and responds differently, so too does the immune system. The course and progression of atopy and asthma can be very different in different individuals (as shown in the postings here!), which is why clinicians find it difficult to accurately predict the course of disease for an individual over a lifetime.

>

> Each to their own, I might be tempted to try the

> Petal Cleanse, but after that I'm afraid if no joy

> the cats would have to go.

Laylas Mum, did you try the Petal Cleanse? It does seem like a good place to start, since you probably cannot rehome your cats immediately. You could also try bathing the cats. Dog About Town groomers on Bellenden Road are very nice and will take well-behaved cats for grooming. Odile at Mutterly Gorgeous on Adelaid Ave is very good too, and will even take naughty cats (I think she also offers a do-it-yourself facility).

Ultimately though, you may find you do need to rehome your cats. If that's the case, take your time. Find a home where they will truly be loved and happy, and where you can visit them occasionally. Then the decision to rehome doesn't have to be so traumatic for you and them. With cats out of the family home, you may find that minimal exposure at your childminder's home is not sufficient to make your LO unwell.

[pommie]

if you do have to rehome your cats (after trying all other avenues) please advise new owners to keep them in for at least 4 weeks before letting them go outside

[tiddles]

what about confining the cat to the kitchen only? I assume you have a cat flap? that way you could minimise the fur/dust in most parts of the house (soft furnishings) and keep a box/basket for the cat in the kitchen which you can then change regularly. I appreciate a right pain with keeping door shut, but it is just a thought.

[huncamunca]

You do realise that there is a strong correlation between children having repeated allergy problems, and a low autoimmune system in later life ?

Petal Cleanse contains the following it seems "quarternium salts, glycerine, B vitamins, aloe vera gel and limeflower extract." i.e. this stuff will mostly likely do nothing.

[sillywoman]

berryberry Wrote:

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>I'm surprised you still have the cats,

> most people lose the cat before having the baby

> because cat allergies are very common.

Complete rot - of course they don't. Well a few might, but most don't. That's just plain daft.

However . . . I'm in agreement that sadly for you, your lovely cats should go. I'm a cat lover myself & can empathise with the heartache this will cause, but as others have rightly pointed out, the baby must come first & the cats must be re-homed.

[The Nappy Lady]

Layla's Mum - just sent you a PM as notice someone in the 'Wanted' section is looking for a cat...

Molly

[Layla's Mum]

Thank you everyone for your comments. If this was an easy decision it wouldn't have elicited so many different opinions! My husband and I have found it really useful getting all these views. And we have taken a few weeks to think through the issues and do a bit of research. I have to say we have been in agony about it and swing from one position to another depending on who we are speaking to at the time! After a lot of agonising, we have decided to tell all our friends about our problem as, if we have to rehome the cats it would be great if we knew where they were going and be able to visit. Unfortunately so far this hasn't elicited any response. So our next step is to try Petal Cleanse for a few weeks and if this doesn't improve things we have arranged for the Celia Hammond cat rescue centre to assist in rehoming the cats. We are feeling dreadfully sad about the whole situation but we of course realise that our baby's health has to take precedence. Thanks again for your comments.

[The Nappy Lady]

Good luck with it. If you do end up rehoming them, maybe you could do it via the forum, so they stay local and you could visit them sometimes? Just a thought....

Molly

[Layla's Mum]

Just to complete the circle on this thread, our beloved cats were rehomed to a lovely couple in East Dulwich in the New Year. They are settling in really well and seem really happy there. We have been to visit a couple of times and even fed the cats for them while they went on holiday so we're really happy we are able to keep in touch with them.

As for the baby, following a serious top to bottom clean of the house including carpet and upholstery cleaning, wiping the walls and ceilings and all hard surfaces and washing every item of clothing in the house (it was epic!), it took approximately 3 days for his allergy symptoms to disappear. After the agony of not knowing if removing the cats would make any difference to his symptoms (following the consultants warning that it might take up to a year to improve) it was almost instant and we are so relieved to have this immediate confirmation that we made the right decision. It is a pleasure to know that we have a happier healthier boy as a result of the sacrifice of rehoming our gorgeous pets.

Thanks to all the supportive messages and thanks to the forum for finding the lovely couple who have taken them on!

[pebbles]

Thrilled to hear that it was worth your losing your cats - well done for making what was obviously the right decision for your little man.

[ClareC]

Glad it's all worked out well, I'm allergic to cat's too and can agree the reaction is miserable and very uncomfortable! You definitely did the right thing.

[Smiler]

That's great, and good that the cats are still ed residents!