Darn Allergies

It appears I am allergic to our new kitty, Ramble. He doesn't bother my eyes or nose too much, but rather my lungs. I have a constant full, tickly feeling in my lungs and I cough alot. It's affecting my ability to sleep and it's kind of scary because sometimes I feel I can't get a good solid breath.

I haven't experienced allergy symptoms like this since I was a kid and eventually diagnosed with asthma. I thought I "outgrew" asthma in highschool and I really don't want it to become something I have to deal with now, as an adult.

I don't understand what it is about Ramble that bothers my lungs so much. I've lived with cats for 10 years with only minor allergy symptoms that didn't even require full-time medication for the most part. Why this one cat is such trouble I have no idea. I never thought I'd have trouble getting another cat.

To me a pet is a lifetime commitment. It hurts me terribly to think that I might need to take Ramble back. But it also sucks to think about feeling like I feel for the next 15+ years. And it scares me that this tickly feeling will morph into something worse as Ramble infiltraits the house more and more. Asthma is a very scary and potentially life threatening condition and I really don't want to deal with it as an adult.

I'm going to give it all another week or so, just to make sure this isn't something unrelated like a chest cold or something. It's definitely a decision I won't take likely. I've shed plenty a tear over it already. Ramble is such a sweet kitty and the kids, especially Maddux, just love him to pieces.