Pleurisy and Cat urine?

[Lauren793]

Hi guys hope you are all keeping safe and well.

I was diagnosed with pleurisy back in mid Jan, it had been on and off with how severe pain wise it was. and now since lockdown it's finally completely gone.

I work in an outdoor cattery and have done for 5 years now, and i'm now starting to wonder/worry that my pleurisy had been caused by the ammonia in cat urine, i'm almost nose-blind to it now unless it's really strong. Every time I have time off work, it seems to either get better or completely go, like now, but I don't know if it's just coincidence.

I'm thinking once lockdown is over going to speak to my Dr to see if there is any preventatives he could give me before I go back to work, as I don't want it coming back, couldn't even wash my own hair properly with the pain I was in.

Has anyone got any info on how ammonia could cause pleurisy? Or maybe had/come across a similar situation? I can't really find anything online.

Many thanks.

[Blackbird6]

Hi Lauren

Ammonia gives off a toxic gas so could very well be making you feel unwell. You're boss should be providing you with PPE maybe a mask to stop the smell making you react .

It can affect the lungs causing major bronchial problems...its a shame I expect you love your job see if a face mask would help hope you feel better soon but get advice of your GP 💕💕

[Lauren793 in reply to Blackbird6]

Thanks for your reply Blackbird6.

I do love my job, and studied hard to be where I am, but this pleurisy situation is completely new to me, so still learning about what can and can't cause it.

I will try your suggestions, really appreciate it, thanks again!. x

[Blackbird6 in reply to Lauren793]

Bless you I'm a retired theatre nurse now self employed dog walker and pet sitter it's a lovley job 💕💕

[Offcut]

You might be or have become allergic to cats? Just being in the same house as a cat makes me tight. Hope you get it sorted out soon.

Be well

[Lauren793 in reply to Offcut]

Thanks for the reply.

Will definitely take this into consideration.

Many thanks!.

[Hidden]

I think I would be pondering a change in career Lauren.

allergiejagis.org/dangers-o...

[Lauren793 in reply to Hidden]

If it does flair up again and nothing helps then i may have to.

But I would also be throwing away 6 years worth of animal management and veterinary training.

Would be a big decision for me to have to make.

I appreciate your reply though, thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Lauren793]

I guess the alternative is wearing a mask all the time.

[Kristicats]

I would consider looking up a suitable mask to wear for work ?as you obviously love your job Cx

[Hidden]

Pleurisy is inflammation in the lining of the lungs and the pain is due to those linings rubbing together. It is not inside the lungs. I very much doubt whether ammonia from cat urine is causing it. I have bronchiectasis and have had lots of cats over my lifetime. The only pleurisy that I have had has occurred when I have not had cats. Pleurisy takes a very long time to get better. Maybe you could consider whether it got better because you were resting and that the activity of work set it off again. Maybe you need more rest.

I am not a doctor and I do feel that you should talk to your doctor about it. If you have some underlying condition, such as asthma, which has caused you to find the cat urine difficult before this you could always wear a mask.

Please don’t consider giving up the occupation which you love until you have given it time and taken medical advice.

[Lauren793 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this, i dont work loads of hours but the nature of the job is physical, hard work, im often running around everywhere trying to get everything done, so i will take all you have said into consideration. x

[Hidden in reply to Lauren793]

Good, I do hope that t works out for you.x

[Badbessie]

Five years seems a long time to develop an intolerance. You have been exposed to cat urine for a long time it just seems strange that you are reacting now. Obviously you are reacting to some substance at work but is it cat urine? Have they started using new cleaning agents or bedding?

[Lauren793 in reply to Badbessie]

I have no idea what it is from, but this is the only thing i can think of at the moment, especially as i now can't smell the urine, could always smell it up until around a year ago. But yes as you say i have been exposed to it for such a long time.

Im definitely going to have a search around to see if there is any new products that I'm not aware of, i hadn't thought about that, so thank you.