Hypoallergenic Cats?

Lots of people around the world would love to have a cat or two as pets but can't because they are allergic to cats. Many people love their cats so much that they keep the cats and live with their allergies as best they can. Cat lovers and breeders around the world have put many years of effort into finding a cat breed or type that is hypoallergenic. Although they have had some success in the past, until recently there really has not been a cat type or breed that is totally hypoallergenic.

The cause of the problem is primarily a protein in the cat's saliva and skin called Felis Domesticus but most people call it Fel D 1 to keep it short. A skin gland called the sebaceous gland produces it. Since all cat breeds have this gland they all can generate allergic reactions in their owners. Although the hair, dander and urine from cats can produce allergic reactions in people, Fel D 1 is the biggest cause of cat generated allergens. It is an extremely small and sticky molecule, much smaller than dust or pollen. It is almost everywhere that a cat has been and can hang around in the air for several years after the cat has left. Believe it or not, Fel D 1 has even been found in the Antarctic far away from the nearest cat.

Two cat breeds in particular have been better tolerated by allergy sufferers. The Sphynx breed is almost totally hairless and because of this they cause fewer allergic reactions from people. They don't really shed since they are mostly hairless so that eliminates one way of spreading the Fel D 1 protein. This is truly an enchanting and elegant breed but the Fel D 1 protein is still generated and can cause allergy problems for the owner. Cornish Rex is a similar breed with very short dense hair. It does shed but much less than most other breeds. Because of this it has gained a reputation as a good possible cat for allergy sufferers. But again, it is not completely hypoallergenic.

Recently, a company called Allerca feels that they have completely solved the problem with Fel D 1. They used a patented process to test cat's genes to identify which genes produce Fel D 1 protein. Once they identified the Fel D 1 gene they found cats that had genetic divergences with that gene. They call genetic divergences GD for short. They did not do any genetic engineering or cloning or anything like that they simply found cats that already had the genetic divergences naturally and breed them with each other to produce cats with genetic divergences that changed the structure of Fel D 1. The result was 100 percent hypoallergenic cats. This is not a particular breed of cat. Cats of all breeds can have the required GD (genetic divergences) but it is very rare.

So can you buy one of these Allerca GD cats? Yes, but they cost about $3500 dollars U.S. and that puts you on the end of a waiting list about 2 to 3 years long. As in most businesses, money talks so for an extra $2000 you get to go to the head of the line and get one today. For that price they even fly the kitten to your veterinarian in a private jet. Is Allerca having any trouble selling the kittens at that price? They are receiving 500 down payments per day for kittens. That's right, 500 down payments per day so selling the cats is not even remotely a problem but keeping up with demand is obviously a problem. Allerca plans to have 500 kittens available in 2007 and hopes to increase that to 5,000 next year in 2008 and 200,000 per year by the year 2010.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Allergies

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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How To Eliminate Your Cat Allergies - No More Sneezing, Wheezing or Itching

Allergies to cats are quite common. The allergic reactions can be immediate, or they can begin to show up gradually over time. Often someone has owned a cat for some time, sometimes even years, before the allergic reactions begin to show. Having to give the cat up at that point may be heartbreaking for everyone involved. Including the cat.

Most often the first recommendation from medical doctors is to relinquish the cat. The past 15 years have seen a whole new "breed" of therapy methods based on the bodies energy system. The methods are generally referred to as "Energy Therapy" "Meridian Therapy" or Energy psychology".

The major distinction between these therapies and traditional aids or therapies, is that instead of attempting to clear the allergen out of the air using all sorts of filters, specialized vacuums, heap filters, limiting the exposure to the cat, medication etc, is that the energy therapies work on your own energy system so that it can be in harmony with the allergen.

Pretty much in the same way that Chinese medicine views illness as a disruption of the flow of vital life force in your system. Energy Therapies view an allergy as a substance your energy system is not in harmony with and is trying to repel.

It is the repelling of the allergen that causes the allergic reactions. So, here is how you can view it. You feel OK, and then you are in contact with a cat, or breathe air containing the allergen. This causes your energy system to become disrupted. The flow of energy is now disrupted, causing a horde of symptoms, as in all your allergy symptoms. Sounds almost too simple, yes? A disruption in the flow of energy, and it can cause such severe allergic reactions? Yes it can.

The energy therapies, using either acupuncture needles, or simply your fingers, will, by using special acupuncture points balance the system, and the flow of energy, in regards to the offending substance.

To do that, you first need to cause a disruption by simply thinking about cats, and then while connecting certain acupuncture points known for their affect on the brain, your system becomes in harmony with what used to be seen as an allergen. Once your system is in harmony with the car dander, or other allergen, there are no more reactions. Once the intervention is completed, the effects are most often permanent, requiring no re treatment. The person who used to have cat allergies can now interact with cats feeling perfectly OK.

Having to relinquish your cat because you have developed allergies is a painful decision no one should have to make. Today, with modern cutting edge resources available, that decision may be one you will never have to make.

To find more resources on how you can be permanently free of your Cat Allergies please visit http://www.catallergyfree.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eva_Marklund

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Dealing with Pet Allergies by KiyaSama

At least one American in 20 sufferers from an allergy to a furry animal. This is usually a reaction to dander (particles from feathers, skin or hair) and saliva. Some of the symptoms include eye irritation, sneezing, and asthma. These allergies are sometimes specific, for instance, a person allergic to cats may not be allergic to dogs and vice versa. About one half of sufferers from cat allergies say they will keep their cats in spite of the problem. Even so, many pets end up in the pound or are abandoned because their owners are allergic to them. What’s good to know is that allergic children improve with age.

Note that the greater amount of dander the animal sheds, the greater the allergic person’s reaction. The secret to allergy control is to reduce the amount of dander. Some breeds of animals produce less dander: for example, all sizes of poodles, the bichon fries, and the Portuguese water dog are relatively dander-free.

Some Helpful Tips When Dealing with Allergies

1. Talk to an allergist.
2. Research allergy shots (desensitization or immunotherapy). It’s been proven that one-third of allergy sufferers improve greatly after this is done, as they have been successful in solving or alleviating the problem.
3. Buy an air conditioner, air cleaner, or humidifier for the home. These help to purify the air and prevent at least 90% of dander. Be sure to do a thorough research on the best product for your home.
4. Dust and vacuum at least once a week (more if possible). Use special filter in the vacuum (one with HEPA filtration preferably). 5. Keep animals out of bedroom and in places with washable surfaces.
6. Brush the animal once a day and put shed hair in a sealed bag. Wipe animal off with a damp towel. Bathe it at least once or twice a month.
7. Ask vet to recommend product(s) that keep down allergens on the animal.
8. Feed the animal a pet food with enough fat so that the skin does not dry. Add a teaspoon of oil in its food. [This also puts a shine on a dog’s fur!]
9. Use unperfumed cat litter and change it as often as possible.
10. Keep dogs outside in a fenced yard (at least part of the time). It is recommended that cats be kept inside.
11. Minimize other allergy-causing materials in the house. Cover mattresses and pillows with non-allergenic covers. Avoid down and feathers.


About the Author

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.

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