Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways that causes episodes of reversible airway constriction and sensitivity that make breathing difficult and can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest .

Allergies can trigger asthma symptoms. Dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and other mammals and birds can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergic reaction to proteins in animal skin, urine, faeces, saliva, fur or hair (dander). For many people with asthma, touching and stroking an animal, or just being in the same room as a pet or where that pet has been, can trigger a reaction. In homes with pets, dander makes up a large component of household dust and it can float in the air and settle on surfaces around the home. So a person may not even need to have contact with the pet itself to trigger a reaction.

Certain people, at a young age, develop sensitivity and produce specific antibodies to common environmental allergens such as dust mite, pollens, animal proteins and mould spores. Generally this sensitivity occurs in people with a family history of allergies. Re-exposure to these allergens may lead to chronic asthma and other asthmatic problems.

Treatment
Pharmacist's advice
• Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of a pet allergy. If you or your child suffers from allergic symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for a skin-prick test to determine the cause of the allergy. These tests involve either a gentle prick through a drop of allergen extract on the surface of your arm or the injection of a small amount of allergen extract into the skin. This may result in some swelling and reddening of the skin, suggesting that you have an allergy. If skin testing is negative, the animals in question may not be the source of the allergy and further investigation must continue. It may be, for example, that a stuffed animal is the cause of an allergic reaction in a child instead of the family cat or dog.
• Antihistamines, nasal steroids; asthma inhalers, pills, spacers, peak flow metres and nebulisers. Consult your allergy or asthma specialist about which would best suit your symptoms.
• Allergy immunisation (immunotherapy) works by gradually building immunologic tolerance to the specific allergic substance. This process usually begins with weekly injections and gradually progresses to monthly injections. Depending on the individual and the severity of the allergy these injections may need to be given regularly or halted after 3-5 years of therapy when there is a good chance of maintaining immunity to a particular antigen.
• If you have undergone immunotherapy there is a small risk of relapse. It is advisable for patients to carry emergency antihistamines or adrenaline after completing immunotherapy.
• Ask your pharmacist for advice about the difference between preventer/controller and reliever medication.
• Your pharmacist can help you with any questions you may have about medications you are taking which could affect your asthma.

Prevention
• Keep pets outside at all times. If the allergy is severe it may be necessary to find a new home for the pet
• Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times and keep the bedroom door closed
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys
• Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture two or more times per week.

Note: Relatively high concentrations of allergic substance (cat saliva antigens) produced from cat saliva can remain in a house, even months after the cat is removed.

Organisations and support groups

Asthma Foundation
National Office:
Level 3, 491-495 King Street
West Melbourne
VIC, 3003

Phone: (03) 9696 7861
Fax: (03) 9696 7397
Website: www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
Email: national@asthmaaustraila.org.au

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