Where do you get the allergy testing done for cats?
At the specialty clinic where I take my girls, there is a dermatologist who does allergy testing and immunotherapy. I have heard wonderful things about it. My Willow has allergies/asthma, and I met with that doctor. She said no other option comes close to immunotherapy as far as success.
Willow is 17 1/2. She has had these issues for many years. I have an Aprilaire filter system on my HVAC system, and I have Alen air purifiers throughout my house (expensive but good). I have no carpet or drapes, and I wash the cat beds and blankets as well as my bedding more often than I otherwise would. Fabric traps so much nasty 'crap'. You are smart to wash everything. In your photo, it looks like Tigger is in a fluffy down comforter. If you don't already have one, you may want to consider a dust mite proof cover for it. I also have a fluffy down comforter (they are the best!) that is currently out for laundering. They can go a few years without being laundered if kept in a cover, which mine has. The care instructions say to shake them regularly, but when you do, it releases everything into the air, so it is a good idea to vacuum everything after. Vacuuming things regularly (not just carpet) helps pick up the dust/allergens that would just be moved around by dusting, especially if you have a good vacuum with HEPA filtration. I have a Dyson Ball Animal. I have to always be aware of everything we use/bring into the house. I was growing cat grass for Mia but came to realize it was causing issues for Willow so it had to go (poor Mia). It is work, for sure, but it really makes a difference. I have gotten to where I can tell such a difference in the air in my home and the air anywhere else I go. I am now 'addicted' to clean crisp air!
Willow also gets 5mg of Zyrtec every day and 4mg of Cerenia every other day. Cerenia is for nausea, but when she first took it (for nausea while taking an antibiotic) I noticed that she had no asthma attacks that week at all. After it was gone, a few days later, she had one. So, we tried it again, and they stopped again. I found that I could give it to her just every other day rather than daily and it still worked. So, she now takes it regularly. I am not saying that would work for everyone, but for Willow, with all of the things I have mentioned here, her asthma is under control. I was prepared to give her an inhaled steroid, if needed, but it has not come to that. (My understanding is that inhaled steroids do not have the same negative side affects as taking oral steroids.)
Willow still has flare ups of allergy symptoms which is why I recently met with that dermatologist. I am scared to put her through the testing (or anything) because she is 17 1/2. The doctor assured me it would be perfectly safe and that she would do it for her own cat that age. She says the benefits would be worth it even if Willow only lives a couple/few more years. So, I am thinking about it. If Willow was younger, like Tigger, I would do it without hesitation. I wish I had done it for Willow years ago. If I had talked to this doctor years ago, I would have. It is always better to address the root cause than medicate the symptoms. I wish you and Tigger the best!
