I'm starting a new job soon and it was brought to my attention that the facility will be getting a cat to be a pet for all the residents. The only problem is that I'm petrified of cats. I have nightmares about them. When I was 6 or 7 I even called the police on a cat ( and yes the police actually showed up). Ofcourse I wouldn't do that now, but the fear is still there.
Not only am I scared of cats but I'm also allergic to cats( and other animals). I have been hospitalized numerous times for asthma attacts from being around pets such as cats and dogs . Even when I take my meds, I'm still bothered.
I'm just want to hear from other nurses with allergies to pets that cope with working around them. I know the cat won't be sitting on my lap the whole time, but even when cats are out of the room or area I'm in my allergies still act up. I have not talked to my manager about my concerns yet by me being new. I also don't want them to think I want them not to have a cat just because of my allergies, I do believe the cat will bring much joy to the residents.
Any helpful information will be appreciated. Thanks !
The OP never said she wanted to deprive the residents of a cat. She was asking for advice on how to cope with allergies. She even said that she knows the cat will bring joy to some of the residents.
I commend the OP for asking for advice on how to cope, instead of getting po'd about the cat. She didn't even ask how to handle her fear, she only addressed the allergies. She is thinking about the residents above herself and I think that's a great nurse
I don't know this appeared very early on and the allergies popped up way later, just saying...
Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.
My cat had two ticks on her lower eyelid a while back. When we tried to get them off the cat freaked out and it resulted in a ridiculous 20 minute chase and battle wounds (to us, the owners) we still weren't able to get the darn cat to lay still. Last thing I wanted to do was inadvertently stab her in the eye with tweezers. We called our vet and he said to wrap an ace bandage around the cats midsection. We did that, the cat flopped over on her side and we were able to remove the ticks. Cats are so prissy I couldn't imagine having one in the workforce! The Egyptians once worshipped cats as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.
In my state, there is a nursing home that has Oscar the cat(they wrote a book about him).Oscar has a talent for realizing when people are about to pass..he's so on target that when the staff sees him spending extra time with the resident, they notify the family. He sits with then until they pass away..it's very sweet but kind of eerie at the same time.Cat predicts 50 deaths in RI nursing home - Telegraph
Are they sure the deaths aren't from suffocation? That is one fluffy and well nourished cat.
Cats will bite, scratch and hiss at you if they sense your fear. They will also follow you everywhere knowing that it makes you feel uncomfortable.
Although the gesture is nice for residents to have a pet, most people with allergies and asthma are unable to tolerate the dander and will suffer from respiratory symptoms. It's unhealthy and puts the asthmatics at risk for respiratory demise.
Maybe one cat for the entire unit. Shaved, detoothed, and declawed.
I'm starting a new job soon and it was brought to my attention that the facility will be getting a cat to be a pet for all the residents. The only problem is that I'm petrified of cats. I have nightmares about them. When I was 6 or 7 I even called the police on a cat ( and yes the police actually showed up). Of course I wouldn't do that now, but the fear is still there.
Not only am I scared of cats but I'm also allergic to cats( and other animals). I have been hospitalized numerous times for asthma attacts from being around pets such as cats and dogs . Even when I take my meds, I'm still bothered.
You have my sympathies. I feel the same way about dogs (I've been attacked by a few), but anyone who complains about dogs in the hospital is expected to "suck it up and deal! It's my baby, and he goes everywhere I go!"
I used to have a fear/hatred of cats, but it was due to my horrible allergies, I got allergy shots for years (I also was allergic to a lot of other things as well) and I'm no longer allergic. If you have really severe allergies, shots may be the way to go. I never realized that my fear/hatred was related to how sick they made me whenever I was around them, I know have a cat and I do just fine. Before I wouldn't be able to touch a cat and touch my face without sneezing and having my face swell up for hours, now it doesn't even affect me. Good luck!
At a LTC facility in the next county, they have a courtyard where there are lots of cats. When we went there for clinicals, we were asked if we had any allergies and one girl said she did but only if she touched them. I don't know. But, as far as I know, they stayed in the courtyard only.
My mother in law is also afraid of cats. And nearly everything else.
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Jules A, MSN
8,864 Posts
I don't know this appeared very early on and the allergies popped up way later, just saying...
"The only problem is that I'm petrified of cats."