Yes indeed, I'm one of the lucky ones who's allergic to ferrets. I was
skin tested for alleriges years ago and am highly sensitive to lots of
things. On the animal part of the test the only thing I didn't react
to was goat - just so happens I like goats too. Anyway, dogs, cats,
horses, birds are bad for me. When we took in Miso ferret way back in
2000 I already had worked my way to asthma, so I didn't think anything
of my increasing problems, noticibly a cough that wasn't helped by
medication. My husband used to say he could always find me in a store
by my cough. We had to say our goodbyes to Miso in October 2006, about
two weeks after she passed the cough went away, my breathing was
easier. I had no idea how much my body had been reacting to her.
Afterwards, I would go over to my friends place and play with her
ferrets, and the cough would come back. Now, an intelligent person
would say you had the best girl ever, you feel better, so for health's
sake don't do it again. But no, the sniffles and cough came back last
October, 'cause I'm not smart at all, maybe after these two. At least
hubby can find me in stores again!

What I don't know is this - with other animals it's the dander one is
allergic to. I was told that with ferrets it has something to do with a
protein, either in their saliva or urine. Also, there is another type
of allergy shot, IgE or something like that, which is supposed to be
helpful. Does anyone know anything about it and if it's helpful?

Tracy

[Posted in FML 6054]