Does anyone take allergy shots so you can have a pet?

[Minnie824]

I'm allergic to dogs and recently found out I'm also allergic to cats. The kids really want a pet and I'm debating whether or not I should get allergy shots to make this happen. I really hate to have shots for 15 years, and especially if they don't work well. Does anyone do this and can you tell me if it really does allow you to live comfortably with a pet or if you still have allergy issues with it? Thanks.

 

[SharonZ]

I'm allergic to cats and have asthma, and I have four himalyans cats (long hair). I take daily allergy medication (haven't needed shots); and haven't had any issues. I also take them for regular bathing at the groomers.

 

[wiigirl]

My DH is allergic to cats....he takes meds so he can be around them.

 

[mischief32]

My husband also takes meds and has an inhaler in case. He is allergic to our cats but they love him so much and he loves them.

 

[KimR]

There are several breeds of dogs that you may be able to have without taking meds or getting shots:

http://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-an...op-10-best-hypoallergenic-dog-breeds-1/page:4

and cats:

http://www.pawnation.com/2013/06/05/10-hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm allergic to dogs and recently found out I'm also allergic to cats. The kids really want a pet and I'm debating whether or not I should get allergy shots to make this happen. I really hate to have shots for 15 years, and especially if they don't work well. Does anyone do this and can you tell me if it really does allow you to live comfortably with a pet or if you still have allergy issues with it? Thanks.

First, I would go and get tested for severity. If you severely allergic, then the choice is made, no pets. Would not even attempt it.

If you are mildly allergic like I am, you can get shots, take meds, or get a more pet friendly pet for allergies.

I did do shots for 6yrs, for tons of things I am allergic to, probably 15yrs ago. Was not fun and it is once a week. A true dedication to do shots. However it was necessary. I would have my face swell up so much that I could not see some days. Mainly my major allergy is mold.

Good luck!

 

[Imzadi]

I'm allergic to cats and have asthma, and I have four himalyans cats (long hair). I take daily allergy medication (haven't needed shots); and haven't had any issues. I also take them for regular bathing at the groomers.

Yes, try Zyrtec before you go the route of shots. You can take it daily.

Also, for some reason, I am allergic to some cats and not to others. I lucked out when I got my cat. As soon as I walked into the pound, I got the allergic symptoms right away. But, I took my kitty home anyway, and I am NOT allergic to her. She even sleeps with me.

She's a shorthair. But, I don't know if it matters. I had to move from one apartment as I was allergic to an ex-roomate's cat. That was also a shorthair.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, try Zyrtec before you go the route of shots. You can take it daily.

Also, for some reason, I am allergic to some cats and not to others. I lucked out when I got my cat. As soon as I walked into the pound, I got the allergic symptoms right away. But, I took my kitty home anyway, and I am NOT allergic to her. She even sleeps with me.

She's a shorthair. But, I don't know if it matters. I had to move from one apartment as I was allergic to an ex-roomate's cat. That was also a shorthair.

Just a note about allergy meds, esp. Zyrtec, they are very drying. So if you have "swallowing issues" or any dry mouth issues, they are not a good alternative.

I can only take meds if absolutely necessary. I was taking Zyrtec and it got to the point where food was getting stuck in my throat. As I have reflux, I was thinking Barret's esophagus!

Nope turned out to be the Zyrtec. My allergist said for some people it just dries them out so bad that you can have severe drying issues.

Anyway, just passing that along, FYI.

 

[JessicaR]

My son has asthma and cat allergies. When we decided we would like to get a dog we visited the breed to see how he reacted. Some dogs are fine for some people. I would give that a try.

 

[mjkacmom]

First, I would go and get tested for severity. If you severely allergic, then the choice is made, no pets. Would not even attempt it.

If you are mildly allergic like I am, you can get shots, take meds, or get a more pet friendly pet for allergies.

I did do shots for 6yrs, for tons of things I am allergic to, probably 15yrs ago. Was not fun and it is once a week. A true dedication to do shots. However it was necessary. I would have my face swell up so much that I could not see some days. Mainly my major allergy is mold.

Good luck!

Yes, you have to get tested. I have a severe cat allergy. I got allergy shots for at least 15 years, and take medication daily for my allergies (I have a lot - the usual mold, grass, dust mites - pretty much the generic allergy test). My seasonal allergies have gotten better (but can't go without medication), but my cat allergy never got any better - it's still off the charts after all those years of shots, and I really have a hard time being in a home with a cat.

Two of my kids are the same, the other three are fine. Luckily, no one tested positive to dogs, and we have one. I'm also very allergic to rats (found this out when we got them as pets). I couldn't hold them, and for the two years we had them (short life spans), it was pretty bad for me.

 

[SandrA9810]

My bf's allergies actually got better after we got the cat. I know black cats get abused easily and I wanted to take it to the shelter after it got a little bigger but not past the cute kitten phase. Well in the mean time, he fell in love with the thing and couldn't bear to see the poor thing live in a cage until it got adopted. The cat has long, double coat too. So it doesn't shed in the same way as one with courser fur. He seems to shed little fur balls.

He already had really bad seasonal allergies, but it seems to be the norm for most people in the Central Valley area. He was already taking Allegra to deal with that. I think it took about 6 months of daily pills before it stopped being an issue all the time. Spring and fall are still an issue from the cat and also outdoors, but he doesn't need as much medication.

Try a variety of different medications from store brands to name brands to see which ones work. Most of them come in small 5 packs that run about a $1 a pill, but it's way cheaper than a 30 day supply and not using all of it.

Having a cat has been awesome.

 

[LisaR]

The problem is, you don't know if shots or medication will work. It takes years for the shots to be fully effective, assuming they work. If they don't work and you already brought an animal into your home, what would you do? Would you get rid of the animal?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The problem is, you don't know if shots or medication will work. It takes years for the shots to be fully effective, assuming they work. If they don't work and you already brought an animal into your home, what would you do? Would you get rid of the animal?

Exactly. Allergy shots aren't a quick fix where you see effects immediately. It takes years for them to truly "cure" an allergy. My brother had them for 15 years before his cat allergy went away.

The only short term fix is to get on a medication regimen and then try being around pets to see if the meds keep your allergies up under control.

 

[EMom]

I have had cats since the day I was born. The last two I had lived to be 16 and 19 1/2, respectively. About halfway into their lives, I developed a cat allergy. When the fluffy Maine Coon got in bed with me, I'd have to use a rescue inhaler. I took a LOT of meds and sometimes had shots. Once they died, I figured I'd never be able to have another cat.

Then I studied the information on Siberians and decided to "test drive" them by going to someone's house who had several Siberians. No reaction at all. The next weekend, we went to the breeder's house, who had LOTS of Siberians. Again, no reaction. So we came home with a kitten and got her half brother 18 months or so later. I'm still fine with both of them.

Normally, I always got my cats (even the Maine Coon) from the pound. But it had come to the point where I had to find a cat that would not make me wheeze, or not have a cat again. So I broke down and bought two Siberians, even though they are not cheap. ($1000-$1500 for a spayed one) If you can afford it, you may want to check them out. They are gorgeous and so devoted.

 

[Callie]

I have a ton of allergies, including cats. My cat one has gotten better since I've owned one. I do notice being around other people's cats causes my asthma to be really really bad. When my sister comes home with her kitty, I get some worse symptoms. I use to be fine when I was around her all the time!

My furbaby drove the allergies bad for about a month until I've gotten use to her. I figure I'm allergic to dust, grass, trees, etc, a cat won't matter!

 

[akcire]

Look into a Maltese if you want a small dog. They have hair not fur. Pretty much the only dog I can be around.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I'm allergic to dogs and recently found out I'm also allergic to cats. The kids really want a pet and I'm debating whether or not I should get allergy shots to make this happen. I really hate to have shots for 15 years, and especially if they don't work well. Does anyone do this and can you tell me if it really does allow you to live comfortably with a pet or if you still have allergy issues with it? Thanks.

I probably would've gotten an allergy shot. I just got my first dog less than a year ago, and my whole life thought I could be allergic to dogs because I'd always get all sneezy around them. Haven't sneezed around him at all! Lol, but my plan was to do something about it if it turns out I was. I loveeee animals and it wasn't going to stop me from getting one! Lol

 

[Minnie824]

Thanks for all the responses... I actually did just get tested for cats...it came up as severly allergic. And with dogs, I know that I'm severly allergic...we've been to friends house and even after taking a claritin I last about 2 hours before I start wheezing and not being able to breathe good. I think the cat allergy is slightly less severe so I would probably lean towards that. Although I'm sure for both cats and dogs it would depend on the breed/type. The allergist said to give it 6 months of shots to build it up prior to even getting a pet, but I'm still trying to determine if I even want to go down that path.

 

[disfan07]

Do you have asthma or eczema? The reason I ask is because the risk of an adverse reaction to allergy shots is greater in individuals with asthma or eczema than in those with just allergies.

A year ago I probably would have said that the allergy shots are worth it to have a pet but now I personally don't think so. But I went into anaphylaxis twice over a 10 week period during allergy shots (second time was Anaphylactic shock) so I am not as open to suggesting allergy shots unless allergies can't be managed with meds and/or they affect everyday life.

And it is a huge commitment. For traditional shots it's once or twice a week for years. For cluster shots its once a week and you do hit maintenance faster but at the beginning it's once a week for about 2-3 hours at the allergists office each week.

If for some reason the allergy shots stopped working or you could not continue with the shots and the allergy got worse, would you be willing to give up the pet? That's an honest question to ask yourself because it is possible.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for all the responses... I actually did just get tested for cats...it came up as severly allergic. And with dogs, I know that I'm severly allergic...we've been to friends house and even after taking a claritin I last about 2 hours before I start wheezing and not being able to breathe good. I think the cat allergy is slightly less severe so I would probably lean towards that. Although I'm sure for both cats and dogs it would depend on the breed/type. The allergist said to give it 6 months of shots to build it up prior to even getting a pet, but I'm still trying to determine if I even want to go down that path.

If you are severe pets should be off the table. It is not fair to do that to a pet or your kids if you have to get rid of the pet.

I would not recommend going down that path at all.