pet connection

Bringing up from comments this really amazing advice on spring, pets and allergies (thanks, Skijor!):

I’ve found the following combination of activities helpful for reducing sinus headaches, breathing difficulties, and even inhaler use:

1) Use a clothes washer with a ’sterilize’ cycle on sheets and blankets at least once a week.
2) Cover mattresses with mite-proof envelopes.
3) Eliminate ‘air fresheners’ whether spray, evaporative, plug-in, ‘ozone’ creating, or candle types. They don’t ‘freshen’, they just pollute.
4) Use copious amounts of plain saline nasal spray, starting in the shower in the morning and again every time breathing gets a little ’stuffy’. (Hint, it’s really cheap in 3-packs at Costco.)
5) Use pleated media filters sized for the system in furnaces/AC’s, NOT electrostatic filters, which by their action all create ozone.
6) Add a UV light over the AC cooling coils to kill mold.
7) Avoid exercising in the morning when pollen counts are highest.
8) Use wood or leather covered furniture instead of cloth. As a bonus, pet fir brushes right off. Also they make good chew toys for puppies.
9) Changing pet crate blankets daily and washing the stack of them weekly on ’sterilize’ is also helpful. Having them sleep on the bed is not. But…we all know that already, and ignore it.
10) In case of a cold or other respiratory infection, whether viral or bacterial, treat early and aggressively with fluids, rest, and *real* pseudoephedrine. Also gargle with a cup of warm salt water (1 teaspoon/cup) several times a day. Use saline nasal spray often as well. (My favorite fluid treatment involves hot lemonade with honey, spiked with whiskey. After all, *real* Nyquil had alcohol. They called it an ‘inactive ingredient’. Inactive my @ss…..)

I haven’t done it yet, but eliminating carpets in favor of hardwood, tile, linoleum, or other smooth flooring surfaces should also make a big difference.

Could I trade this handy list for some home-cooking dog food recipes? Please?! I don’t need them anymore, but some of my friends still do.

Yes. We’re awaiting the OK for recipe from our friends at the Veterinary Information Network. We’ll post as soon as we get that OK.

And thanks! for the advice. I have struggled with asthma and allergies all my life — had a couple of near-death attacks — and try very hard to balance it all, taking care of myself, keeping up with the meds, calling the doctor when I first get sick and keeping the pets and house as clean as I’m able. But it’s almost guaranteed at this time of year I’m gonna get sick.

I’m just trying to keep from getting sicker. Thanks for everyone’s concerns.

Back to Christie, who’ll be live-blogging the FDA news briefing at 4:15 p.m. ET.