From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-02-27 18:06:03 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: ferret allergies
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Someone else will reply with more info but here is a little.
It seems like those with bad cat allergies are more likely
to react to whole male ferrets, but honestly she might
not react OR she might react -- even severely. There
have been people with nasty asthmatic reactions to
ferrets and there is a case documented of a man who
almost died of an anaphylatic reaction.
I've heard of a number of people who are allergic to cats
who react to whole males (and one who reacted to an
altered male with adrenal disease). Steve reacts to all
whole males no matter whether they are in rut or not.
He also reacts to cats. One person I know had a fiancee
who was fine about her ferrets till they had a visit with
a whole male. He reacted really badly -- hospital needed
if I recall right -- and from that point on he also reacted
severely to other ferrets (the allergy generalized more
which can happen; it annoyingly happened to me with
some related foods).
Hmmmm, I wonder if any ferrets ever become allergic to
humans or to our skin mites?
Anyway, there is no easy answer. The person will have to
decide whether to try or test it enough times before
considering getting a ferret.
Some animals seem to be more likely to cause allergies
than others, for instance cats more than dogs, but there
are people who react to dogs more than cats; allergies are
pretty individual.
As I recall Becca (Wolfy) has a website showing what she
does to reduce her allergic reactions to ferrets. Someone
may have that URL handy.
Oh, and some react not to the ferrets but to certain foods,
certain litters, etc.
I am sure that others have more info to share.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "patty" <pferret@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I had someone contact AFA about getting a ferret and if humans can be
> allergic to ferrets. if so, would it best be compared to a cat?
>
> She's highly allergic to dogs and mildly allergic to cats, but has had
> one severe reaction to a cat. Do ferrets have the same allergy
> characteristics as cats/dogs? Is their saliva the culprit, as is the
> case with cats? Whatever information/research anyone can provide that
> I can pass onto her would be greatly appreciated :)
>
> Thanks,
> Patty
>
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