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Weird animal-human health question

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packrat

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My dad called me today and told me he read an article (didn't say if it was newspaper/magazine/internet) that cats can transmit respiratory illnesses to their owners when the owners let the cats sleep w/them, lay w/them etc. Now, I read, and I'm pretty sure it was on here maybe ??? that *dogs* have been known or thought to transmit things to their owners-I think it was when I was talking about if we had mold in the house and the fact that the kids and I are sick all the time w/sinus stuff and strep..someone mentioned a dog ended up being a carrier or something.

Anyway, he was very adamant that you can develop allergy type symptoms and get sick (much the same as the kids and I've been) from cats. Now, it stands to reason that if this is so, the cats would need to get sick from somewhere in order to pass a sickness along..our cats don't go anywhere. They're inside cats except a few times during the nicer months we take them on the back deck and shave them. And sometimes they push the screen door open when it's nice and sit outside until one of us notices and then they streak back in the house all wild eyed. The two hours a YEAR they spend outside doesn't seem like a breeding ground for sicknesses. They're never in contact w/other cats-the backyard is fenced in.

However, Chicken is outside a LOT and been exposed to other dogs. Dad said the article was exclusively about cats and nothing else, and that there is a name for the sickness they can cause in their owners. I question it for many reasons...1) my dad is quite possibly one of THE most controlling people I've ever known in my life, and he's made mention that we need to get rid of the cats OFTEN..and usually he then mentions we should pick out one of their outside cats b/c they're more friendly and loving. (which, um hello? Bring in another cat that's been outside it's whole life exposed to distemper and every other illness..and a more "friendly loving" cat that will sleep with us, potentially causing the same problems? That's no different than what we have now). And 2) We've had Bella for 11 years. Britta for...let's see..9 years. Suddenly the last year or so they're making me and the kids sick?

He said he hopes that having our tonsils taken out solves the problem (and I'll just side note here that the bathroom is being started on in a couple weeks, so if it's mold, that also could help solve the problem) but if it doesn't, to give it a little while and then look into the cat issue. I told him I'd talk to the vet.

What do you guys think? Is he full of balarney? I know there is some truth to animals passing things to humans-but I can't figure out where the exposure comes into play unless it's something from Chicken to the cats to us.
 
I know that cat feces can make humans ill. Personally I can't keep cats due to allergies (not cat specific) and that causes issues. But I've never heard of what he's talking about.
 
How old are your kids? Seems they're more likely to catch something from other kids, rather than indoor pets.
 
Ditto, Fortekitty. There are so many superstitions about cats. Other kids are more likely the givers of those sorts of gifts. Remember the one about cats sucking the breath out of babies if they slept in the crib? Good gawd!

Recent studies show that children who grow up on farms get sick much less & have fewer allergies than those in the burbs or cities. They develop better immunities & are generally healthier. We who do not live open-air lives believe the ads on TV too often -- fear of all germs, buy our product, danger danger. By killing as many germs as possible, this study found, we prevent our kids from getting immunities so they are knocked over when they do encounter stuff.

Living with pets isn't any less physically healthy than without them, maybe it helps immune-wise. It also contributes an enormous amount emotionally & mentally to a child's life. (If you have time to care for the pet well. Living in the South, I've discovered that isn't usually the case. Then, don't get one!)

--- Laurie
 
Thanks for the link Matata!

I knew that some things could make a person sick, like w/the litter box and scratches etc. I wash my hands after I do the litter, and the kids don't mess w/it. Scratches/bites, we don't get those. The kids are 7 and almost 4, and I do notice that since preschool a couple years ago, more stuff is coming home. And I know I'm getting stuff at the office and bringing it home too.

I just can't figure out what he's trying to do/say/accomplish. If the cats *have* anything, Bella had it when we got her as a stray 11 years ago-or Britta brought it w/her when we got her (from my parents house no less) 9 years ago. And she was quaranteened (gah, why can't I spell that?) for a month and tested to make sure she didn't have feline leukemia and fip, which a different cat we had died from. Britta and Bella both had check ups and were fine so..I don't see why they'd have gotten something and then it lay dormant for 8-10 years and suddenly start making us sick. Or how they could catch anything if they're not exposed to anything. I tried to explain that to dad and he wouldn't listen. "Nope, that's just what the article said" which means to *me* that cats just have some kind of weirdness in them that randomly makes some people sick some of the time, no rhyme or reason to it. If a person developed an allergy to a cat, wouldn't you think they'd have symptoms more often? And if it's allergies, antibiotics wouldn't help, which they do help us.

Ugh. I see myself in for some arguments when they get back from vacation.
 
Packrat, you're asking smart questions. You haven't been constantly sick since getting the cats; it's unlikely they would suddenly start giving you bizarre illnesses & germs. But your kids are at the ages where they pick up stuff at school, preschool, play dates, etc. It's normal childhood things -- sometimes when adults catch those bugs, they're worse. We can bring home germies from work, carried by colleagues too.

Doesn't sound like your Dad wants to be convinced, however. May not be worth it to argue; just drop the subject if possible. At this point it sounds like you're bedeviled by average childhood bugs, which come & go. The cats are innocent bystanders.

--- Laurie
 
It sounds as though your dad just may not like cats, and that they're the scapegoats/cats for his concern about the kids being sick. When my kids were school-age, we instituted a rule that everyone had to wash hands the minute we walked into the house, and believe it or not, that cut the number of illnesses the girls brought home in about half. We got into the habit then, and it's still the first thing we all do when we get home.
 
Sparkly Blonde|1298868805|2860947 said:
I know that cat feces can make humans ill. Personally I can't keep cats due to allergies (not cat specific) and that causes issues. But I've never heard of what he's talking about.

Toxoplasmosis... Women aren't suppose to change litter boxes while pregnant.
 
MC|1298913243|2861199 said:
Sparkly Blonde|1298868805|2860947 said:
I know that cat feces can make humans ill. Personally I can't keep cats due to allergies (not cat specific) and that causes issues. But I've never heard of what he's talking about.

Toxoplasmosis... Women aren't suppose to change litter boxes while pregnant.

And raw or undercooked meat is a much greater risk for this parasite than cat feces is. So pregnant women shouldn't be eating carpaccio, either.
 
Yeah..I think he's getting grouchy as he gets older. Our house has always been the "dumping" ground for unwanted cats-at one time we had 50. I brought them home from businesses where people would dump them, mom did too. He never minded. Now the last couple years he's suddenly on this weird rampage against cats..just ours, not theirs..he makes comments b/c Bella, the fat one, is antisocial-tho she loves us and sleeps w/London every night, she doesn't run to you the second you walk in the door like my parents cats sometimes do. Britta, the smaller one, is spastic and freaks out running around and swatting at your legs, but will lay nice and either sleeps w/me or London every night.

It's just so..odd, this weird kick he's on, like the cats are the root of all our problems or something. When I tried to give the explanations to him that I gave here (being dormant for 9 years and then boom they're making us sick etc etc) he kept "no, no, nope, that article SAID specifically.." and so I just finally said I'd talk to the vet to get him to leave it alone. He's an arguer, so when he gets back, I won't get off that easily.

Bit ridiculous to harp about I think but that's what will happen! ARGH! I'll have to call the vet and get paperwork stating they're fine.
 
i've told my mother that our cats are no longer a topic for discussion between us. she reminds me a bit of your father. you might want to tell him you are no longer willing to discuss cats ...whether yours or others.... with him.

MoZo
 
Yeah..I'll have to do that MZ! Ugh-why do parents have to aggravate us so much? At least I know I come by it honestly..I harp on things and argue too-tho I am able to shut up and listen when need be. :loopy:
 
and, believe it or not, i am capable of keeping my thoughts to myself. i've suggested this to my mother but her response is that she's "entitled to her opinion" to which my response is "yes, you are but you don't always have to express it."


MoZo
 
Ha, if I didn't know better I'd think we had the same parents.
 
I think your dad just doesn't like cats. I worked for a veterinarian for nine years and never heard any mention of cats transmitting respiratory illnesses to their owners. (other than garden variety being allergic to cats)
 
To be honest, I don't think the cat / health issue is relevant. It sounds like it's about control, about being in charge and about having a say in your life, none of which I'd entertain for a minute. If you do anything to change things with the cats, or even do anything to be seen to be taking his issues on board, then it will be something else next time, not cats. I would just change the subject, or tell him flat out that it isn't something you're looking for input on.
 
Yeah, I think control is the issue too. I think it's a way to deflect from the bathroom/possible mold problem. He was so insistent that the mold in the bathroom is not making us sick and then we all had our tonsils out in hopes that would help. I made a comment that *something* is making us sick and if it's not mold, it's something else, and I guess the kids and I would just have to go thru surgery to hopefully remedy the problem. Obviously London and I bring things home and infect everyone but, to be sick nonstop for months every year is a little excessive. We're sick more during the winter months, like most everyone else, when everything is closed up, and less during the nicer months when windows are open and we're outside more. So, I don't see it being allergies, or allergies to the cats that suddenly cropped up and are only active when it's cold outside. I'm sick more in an average 6 months than I was the first 30 years of my LIFE.

So..yeah, I'll have to find a way to get it out of his head. It's hard w/an arguer. An arguer who is always right. :rolleyes:
 
Packrat, I think I'm married to your dad! :roll:

--- Laurie
 
Oh crap JewelFreak! :o You'd think after 36 years of it I'd be used to it by now. My mom always says she could be on her death bed and he'd tell her she's not doing it right. It's true too.
 
i am allergic to mold and mildew....and i can tell you that you can definitely be sick throughout the year with it. also, and this is gross, mold can actually lodge in your sinus cavaties and live there. do some research on the internet and you'll find a lot of info.

getting rid of a mold allergy symptoms can take a very long time. a short round of antibiotics won't do it. it can take 6 months or more to rid yourself of it. and yes you will have upper respiratory problems, feel fatigued, and sick.

and if you have carpeting in your home, well, i'll just say that removing the carpeting was the best thing we ever did.

we live in a forest and mold/mildew is a given. i have indoor cats....up to 9 at one time and now down to 4. i no longer get physically ill with my allergies and other than some stuffy sinuses don't really "suffer" any more. i used to live on antibiotics. no longer. some years ago i went alternative and take a lot of herbs and things to build up my immune system and/or reduce symptoms. at the first sign of problems, i have my "go to" supplements that stop it in its tracks. its taken a lot of time and a lot of effort but its been worth it. in this area, my mother and i actually do agree.

and you don't have to get it out of his head. he can think what he wants. but you can and should get him to shut up about it.



MoZo
 
packrat|1298996679|2862056 said:
Oh crap JewelFreak! :o You'd think after 36 years of it I'd be used to it by now. My mom always says she could be on her death bed and he'd tell her she's not doing it right. It's true too.

no that is funny!

MoZo
 
Aoife|1298917258|2861260 said:
MC|1298913243|2861199 said:
Sparkly Blonde|1298868805|2860947 said:
I know that cat feces can make humans ill. Personally I can't keep cats due to allergies (not cat specific) and that causes issues. But I've never heard of what he's talking about.

Toxoplasmosis... Women aren't suppose to change litter boxes while pregnant.

And raw or undercooked meat is a much greater risk for this parasite than cat feces is. So pregnant women shouldn't be eating carpaccio, either.

Due to the "high risk" lol of Toxoplasmosis, my dh changed the litter box for two years. lol One thing though is that I was really neurotic during both ones and cut a lot of foods out of my diet. I was super paranoid about everything... ;)

Anway, back on the subject of cats, our cat sleeps with either my son or me. I've grown up with cats and never had any problems.
 
movie zombie|1298996711|2862057 said:
i am allergic to mold and mildew....and i can tell you that you can definitely be sick throughout the year with it. also, and this is gross, mold can actually lodge in your sinus cavaties and live there. do some research on the internet and you'll find a lot of info.

getting rid of a mold allergy symptoms can take a very long time. a short round of antibiotics won't do it. it can take 6 months or more to rid yourself of it. and yes you will have upper respiratory problems, feel fatigued, and sick.

and if you have carpeting in your home, well, i'll just say that removing the carpeting was the best thing we ever did.

we live in a forest and mold/mildew is a given. i have indoor cats....up to 9 at one time and now down to 4. i no longer get physically ill with my allergies and other than some stuffy sinuses don't really "suffer" any more. i used to live on antibiotics. no longer. some years ago i went alternative and take a lot of herbs and things to build up my immune system and/or reduce symptoms. at the first sign of problems, i have my "go to" supplements that stop it in its tracks. its taken a lot of time and a lot of effort but its been worth it. in this area, my mother and i actually do agree.

and you don't have to get it out of his head. he can think what he wants. but you can and should get him to shut up about it.



MoZo


Mold and fungus too! Haha. I agree - lots of gross things can live in your sinuses. I was thinking the same thing as you about the mold and mildew - I think that's a much more likely cause than the cats since they've lived with the family for so long with no issues.
 
That's why the mold stuff had been on my mind-about the same time it started getting bad is about the same time we started getting sick a lot-tho, that happened to be about the same time London started preschool, so we attributed it to that. We're not sick year round, just when it's closed up in the house, so I figure the nasty mold in the air is just being recirculated thru the house all Fall/Winter/Early Spring long thru the furnace. After the bathroom is done I'm going to have someone come clean the duct work again I think, maybe that will help too.

And after all that is done, every single time the kids or I get a sniffle, he'll screech that it's the cats-gah. I can't tell you the amount of times I've snotted off or yelled or thrown my arms in the air and stormed off, each of those things done while saying "Ok well, when I finally do something right be sure to let me know" and he'll say "I'll write it on the calendar but don't hold your breath" or some such smart remark. (He used to write on the calender if mom made cookies or cake or something.) I've never known a more frustrating man.

Haha, on the being on her death bed and not doing it right..when my mom says that sometimes she'll break out a great imitation of him-speech and mannerisms..it's dead on.
 
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