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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Expert Forum)
uhhhh. just need help. soon. please
by samii_gurrl, Aug 26, 2008 05:39PM
Hi. I'm 15 but this isn't about me. In a week I am moving and my mom and dad have been a part for a while and when we move my dad is going to be moving in. He has COPD and I have a cat. Being around my cat makes him stuffy just being around him a few minutes. I was wondering if anyone knows of any medicine or treatment that will be able to help my dad be around my cat. Im not a fan of my dad but I dont have a choice and if i cant find anything i have to get rid of my cat and he is my life. please help me.. im moving aug 5
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Aug 28, 2008 05:04PM
, Aug 28, 2008 05:04PM
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.
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.
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