Ain't we got fun...

[plantmom]

In the ongoing quest to keep Zoey from having asthma attacks, I've been doing some research and thinking about our home and what might be triggering this stuff.  When I called the vets' to get another prescription for prednisone, they asked if we were using any number of things which commonly are triggers: candles, Febreze, etc.  Like a ninny, when

Comments

[felis_sidus]

I wish every cat lived with people who are as caring and willing to extend themselves for their pets as Zoey does.

As for the PEW, here's one thing that might help. Striking a match can clear out any odors. Whenever I share living quarters, I keep a box of kitchen matches in the bathroom, in some kind of waterproof container. (Also pet and child-proof as needed) They're handy, inexpensive, and effective. Best practice is to run water over the spent match before tossing it in the waste bin. (They don't flush well.)

[plantmom]

As for the first thought, thank you. I have allergies myself, although no where near as life-threatening as hers, plus I can and will take a decongestant if necessary. That said, I honestly appreciate a cleaner home, so it's not a trial. And she's soooo precious. Have you read about our feeding arrangements now? The oldest cat had lost a pound last time he went for a checkup. He cannot afford to be a pound thinner, so we feed all three cats in separate rooms. Tazzer goes in the bathroom, Zoey goes in the dog crate, and Michelle is wherever the other two aren't. We've only been doing it for three weeks, and already Tazzer's gained back some weight, his spirits have lifted, and he's taken back territory (his favorite footstool in the living room). Zoey has to be sequestered because otherwise she filches from the other cats, so that's how we do it

[rainbow_goddess]

Does your bathroom have a fan? Fans are good at clearing poop odours. I can't use any kind of air freshener due to my own asthma, and Monster just turns on the bathroom fan if he causes a smell. When the cats make poop smells, I dump baking soda in their litter.

[plantmom]

We have an exhaust fan in the bathroom. I will try it in the future. Up to this point I've only used it for steam. Good thought. Thank you.

We will be working on this on an ongoing basis.

[tilia_tomentosa]

Do try it.

[captainsblog]

What Eleanor was too polite to say was, after I did come back to the living room from "joining the party," as it were, I asked her a random routine question (about turning on the stereo) and she started choking. This went on for a few seconds before I said, "Gee, I'm sorry it was THAT bad without the air freshener."

We do get awful goofy around here.

[thediva_laments]

This is probably TMI, but I have IBS and 9thkvius had amoebic dysentery when he was in the army which tends to have some lasting effects on the digestive system. We have one bathroom in a small 2 bedroom apartment and our cats, who generally like to hold audiences while *anything* is going on in the bathroom, have been known to RUN when one of us is, um, joining the party.

I am also asthmatic and there are certain sprays and things I can't handle. When 9thkvius and I joined households he was a fan of burning incense. That doesn't work for me and Smoky, see icon, is allergic to just about everything. After casting about for a bit we settled on http://www.citrusmagic.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=612112757... )

[plantmom]

Thank you, sweetheart. That's not TMI, that's life, you know? God, I just had a flashback to when I was in my twenties and my mother, then in her late sixties, complained to me that her and my father's doctor had an obsession with with um, snot. He always seemed to want to know what color theirs was.

I am so touched by how thoughtful people on LJ are about stuff like this. I am trying so hard to get a grip on it. I worked very hard cleaning today, and will continue to do so in hopes of helping the wee one. She is so adorable. They all are, really.

[nentikobe]

I love the cleaning with vinegar and water. I also second the matches, the baking soda, and the being open about things.

We all have the issues. Heath and I are giggly about it sometimes.

Diego coughs badly and I never thought about our spray. I will be turning back to matches myself I think... he's a heavy boy, and when he coughs I die a little. He needs to lose weight and we're *trying* to get that, but the coughing and liquid in his cough may hurt him more if we don't help him out.

They are our kids. Even if they don't go to college.

[plantmom]

Thank you. You are so sweet and thoughtful.

Re: kitties and weight, have you seen my responses to other people's comments? I am so pleased that our oldest kitty is doing better these days. He's obviously feeling better, now that we're controlling the feeding situation more. Poor little guy, he was hungry!

[horizonchaser]

http://www.thedrops.com/ :D And vinegar, baking soda, and water work wonders, yes.

[plantmom]

Are the drops safe for animals? Our dogs drink out of the toilet, and I'd be kidding myself if I thought otherwise.