I have lived in my new home for around five years so far, and I always wanted to get a pet. I am a dog person, but with working at the hospital long hours, and living alone, I figured it would not be wise to get a dog. So Friday, after thinking about it for over a week, I went to the local shelter and adopted a 2 month old kitten.
She was so cute and very cuddly. She followed me around the house like a shadow. We played and chased each other around my kitchen island. It was really great! Until my asthma kicked in. It was so bad, Saturday morning I was thinking of going to emergency.
Getting out of the house Saturday morning, I took her to a pet store. I bought her a new toy. But….when I arrived home, I was still feeling so awful,, I had to call the shelter and bring her back.
I think I cried all day yesterday (Saturday). I miss her SO much and feel awful that I failed her in some way. She and I really bonded fast to each other. All the way back to the shelter she had her paw stretched outside of her carrier to rest on my arm as I drove. It was heartbreaking to bring her back. I had allergy testing around five years ago, at the time of my asthma diagnosis, and found I was allergic to feathers but not cats or dogs. Why am I now?? It really sucks. I miss her so much.
The woman at the shelter said she could hear me wheezing over the phone. I called my mother after I came back from bringing the kitten back, and she could tell I was having trouble breathing. The first thing she said to me was. “ Are you feeling ok? Your breathing sounds horrible.” When I started crying and told her I got a kitten and had to take it back she suggested I volunteer at the shelter. But, I thinking that would bather my asthma too wouldn’t it?
Spring booster for severe asthma
Asthma related coughing fits through the night
1st appointment with the respiratory consultant 
So are we all enjoying the heat...!
Oh Willow, that's so sad. I adore cats but I'm allergic to them so can't have cats (or any other pet). My family have cats and I'm very careful when visiting them, however, Montelukast has really helped me to a certain extent. I still wouldn't have any pets but I've noticed that my symptoms are more controlled around family animals now.
We had a cat when I was a kid and became resistant over time. Desensitisation I guess. But if you do volunteer at the shelter you could first discuss trying additional treatment with your asthma nurse. It would be one way to establish if that treatment helped and then you could go onto adopt if you found a good preventative medication.
I get my cat kicks from the Internet! Sad I know, but necessary.
I have Ben taking Montelukast for around five years now. I am on two preventer inhalers Dulera and Qvar. And then Ventolin for rescue. I am so close to going back to the shelter if she is still there next week to take her back. I miss her that much. But, it was so hard on me while she was here. The house seems so empty now. Friday night she found her spot on the sofa and fell asleep watching a movie with me.
It's so difficult to make a reasoned decision when you feel emotional. But if you do try again, maybe increase your preventer meds (with agreement from your asthma nurse) as that may help with any exposure to kitten dander etc. Muffin looks adorable and I understand why you're missing her.
Weekly cat baths and daily hoovering the house with a high efficiency vacuum may help and, if you can afford it, a HEPA filter running in your sitting room and bedroom will help tackle allergens. And if you're fortunate, you may become desensitised to Muffin. Good luck! x