Animals and Copd

[Ksb6420]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if any one with cats or dogs if the animals make your Copd worse? I have noticed by breathing is getting worse and my heart rate is going up. We got 2 cats last May and just wondering if they are the issue.

Going to see the doctor on the 14th to get the results of a xray and a breathing test so I will just have to wait to see the results.

I don't post a lot of the site but there are a lot of knowledgeable people that I have learned a lot from. I want to thank you all for passing on your information.

Hope you all have a healthy New Year.

Karen

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi Karen nice to meet you. I have COPD I also have a lovely little Jack Russell called Back. He isy constant companion, wouldn't be without him, my daughter had a. Cat and dogs and none of them seemed to bother me. Here are lots of people with lung conditions that have pets from fury to feathered ones. Wait to see the GP and get your results and his advice. But hopefully all will be fine, hope this helps you. Take care and please keep posting.😊 Bernadette xx

[Ksb6420 in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you for your reply Bernadette.

I just don't now what has changed my oxygen levels. It is hard to keep in the 90's when doing anything, when sitting I am find. I will take your advise and try not to worry until I see the doctor.

Have a great day. Karen

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Ksb6420]

Please let us know how you get on.😊 Bernadette xx

[BrianTaylor]

Hi Karen

I think the best answer is that it depends on the person. I have a dog and that plays no part in my COPD, but many people can be irritated by fur or dust so it’s possible. Seek advice from your gp 😊

[Hidden]

Hi Karen. Happy New Year to you too! I have moderate asthma and mild COPD and despite having had cats for most of my life, I can no longer have animals in my house. I have always had mild allergies but they have developed into severe allergies to cats, dogs and wool in the past few years. If you're concerned it may be the cats then you could ask to have an allergy test. I think usually animal allergies are quite obvious though- as well as breathing issues and asthma attacks, I sneeze, my sinuses block up and my eyes are burning and itchy. If a cat goes near my face I also get hives. Does this sound anything like what you have?

[Ksb6420]

Hi Artichokes,

Thank you for your reply. I don't have any of the issues you have with cats. My oxygen level were always in the upper 90's when using medication, now I am lucky if it's in the 90's at all when doing anything at all. When I am sitting I am fine. Will just have to wait and see the results of my test and I will bring up the subject of cats to the doctor.

Have a great day!

[Hidden in reply to Ksb6420]

Wishing you the best of luck with your appointment then and hope you find something to help!

[Ergendl]

Do you improve dramatically when you stay away from the cats for a few days? That's a simple test to find out if they are affecting your breathing.

[stamford1234]

Cats and dogs have no effect on my breathing. Dust does. We did have a very hot Summer, that really troubled me, flare up 1. Then it got cold very quickly, flare up 2. We are all different. Happy New Year to you too. Good luck with your appointment and breathing test.

[Ksb6420 in reply to stamford1234]

Thank you Stamford for your reply. I could count on my fingers how many days I was outside this summer. Too hot and lots of humidity and winter is not much better!

I am thinking maybe it is dust. I dont dust as much as I did before all my medical issues got worse.

Hope your flare ups are done for awhile!

[Shancock]

You can ask you GP to send you for an allergy test. I think cat hair does probably irritate our chests a little even if we're not allergic. I have 2 labradors they shred hair like crazy, I've always had dogs and got no allergy but I think the hair doesn't help my asthma now. I Hoover everyday and they are not allowed upstairs. But the pleasure I get from them and the health benefits which means lots of walking I think outweighs the cons. I'd never give them up, but I have decided in future when we get a dog we will be getting a non-shedding one though, no labs again.

[Dilly2]

Hi Ksb6420 welcome to 0ur foram I'm sure pets can course breathing issues.

But don't take my word for it best wishes.