COPD help

Okay, so my father has COPD and he doesn't live with my mother and I yet but we are moving on Sept 5th and I was wandering if any of you know of a medicine that would help him be comfortable and not so stuffy around cats? If there isn't any medicine then I have to get rid of my cat whom is my best friend. My dad, who is now 56, started smoking when he was 10 years old and now he has COPD and STILL smokes. He did it to himself and I have to pay for the consequences. So if any of you know please help me. I am so desperate. I've been fighting with my mother every day about getting rid of my cat.
Please please please help me. Please..



This is me and my cat, his name is Mikey and he is my best friend.. I would die without him...

[National Jewish Health]

Thank you so much for your message and the lovely photo.  I sure hope that you can both keep your cat and feel that you are not harming your dad.  In addition to the information below, you may find it helpful to have the Quit Line phone number 1 (800) QUIT NOW (784-8669).  When your dad is ready, the Quit Line can help him to stop smoking.

It is apparent that your cat is very important to you and this is understandable.  We have 2 dogs and a cat and we consider them to be important members of our family.  Your parents should do everything they can to enable you to keep your cat.  This will involve accommodation on their part and yours.

You describe your dad as being "stuffy” and that suggests nasal stuffiness, also called allergic rhinitis.  That is a treatable condition with the use of antihistamines and nasally inhaled medicines.  These could be used by your dad without worsening his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Allergy to cat is not ordinarily a problem for people with COPD – it generally does not worsen their COPD or their breathing.

The other thing you can do is for you and your parents to manage your home environment, to reduce your dad's exposure to the cat, cat dander and cat saliva.  This can be done in several ways:  
1) make your dad's bedroom and his study or workshop, if he has one, off-limits to your cat;
2) ask your mom to remove all carpets, drapes and quilts and stuffed furniture – all things that tend to collect and then release cat dander;
3) to the extent possible, keep your cat in your room;
4) since you will continue to be in close contact with your cat and dander and saliva can stick to your clothes, try to avoid being physically near your dad, except when you are wearing clean clothes that have not been near your cat;
5) keep your cat off living room and dining room chairs and sofa;
6) ask your dad to speak with his doctor about treatment for his allergy to cats, which could include medicine as mentioned above and maybe even allergy shots; and
7) finally, it would not be unreasonable for you to ask your dad to put-up with a little nasal stuffiness, if that is what is required for you to keep your cat.

Remember, this is your house too and you have rights.

[samii_gurrl]

the pictures didnt show up

http://i36.tinypic.com/1601w6f.jpg


http://i36.tinypic.com/1601w6f.jpg


me and my cat