Cats allergic to people???

[beeniesmom]

Cats Can Be Allergic To Humans, Researchers Say
Smoking, Dust, Even Dandruff Make Some Cats Ill

POSTED: 10:33 am EDT October 19, 2005

Human lifestyles are potentially triggering asthma attacks in cats, according to a study at the University of Edinburgh.

Cigarette smoke, dusty houses, human dandruff, pollen and certain types of cat litters can all create inflammation in cats' airways and worsen asthma, researchers said.

Feline asthma is a common disease, with around one in 200 cats suffering from the condition, which causes cough, wheeze and shortness of breath. Pedigree oriental breeds like Siamese cats are more prone to the disease.

"Cats with feline asthma syndrome can be made worse by living in a household where people smoke, or where there are other potential allergens or irritants. We find that bringing asthmatic cats into the hospital here and removing them from the standard triggers like dust and smoke can improve their condition," said researcher Nicki Reed. "Also, changing cat litter from granules to a newspaper-based product can help some asthmatic animals."

Recent work in the field of human asthma has suggested a link between bacterial Mycoplasma infection and a worsening of asthmatic symptoms. Research in the United States and Australia has shown this bacterium is present in one-fifth of all lung fluid samples from asthmatic cats.

[lizbud]

You know, I saw that article today. Isn't it interesting? I've never heard
about anything like that. It does make sense though for cats with breathing
problems.

[carole]

Funny that you should post this my husband has often joked maybe the cats are allergic to us, although we do not smoke, but it makes sense to me, if we can be allergic to them why not the other way around, both my kitties are sneezy, watery eyed in spring time and although they do not cough they tend to be a bit rattley and snuffly.,so who knows.