After antibiotics treatment was finished, we returned to vet so he could undergo some blood tests to determine if he suffered from feline leukaemia or feline aids and I'm happy to report that he didn't have either.

That then left way clear for him to undergo dental treatment and have six rotten teeth extracted. He was put on antibiotics again as infection from teeth was starting to reassert itself and he was on tablets until surgery (15 days later, when vet determined that he was ready to undergo extractions).

The operation went smoothly and he returned home later that day. Naturally, with such a large number of extractions, he found eating to be somewhat comfortable. But you can't keep a good cat down! After a couple of days, he was eating normally again. A week after surgery I took him back to vet for his post-operative check-up. His gums had healed over nicely after extractions but he still had a bit of gingivitis. The vet was a little concerned that Ginger might be carrying cat-flu virus - apparently prolonged gingivitis is a symptom. On other hand, inflammation may just have been last remnants of chronic infection he suffered last year from his teeth. He was put on a further two weeks of antibiotics which, we hoped, would finally clear everything up.

Aside from that, he was in fine fettle. He must have been a lot more comfortable with teeth removed as his purring became much louder over following week. And he was much more playful.

After latest two-week antibiotic treatment, it was time for another check-up visit to vet. The good news was that Ginger was in good health. His gums had healed perfectly after extractions. He'd even put on weight, weighing in at 5.2kg (11.5 lbs) which is pretty hefty for a cat. His gums, in general, (i.e. not related to surgery) remained inflamed even after all post-op antibiotics. The vet came to conclusion that Ginger was suffering from persistent cat flu. His only current symptoms were gingivitis - while no other symptoms were present, he is a cat-flu carrier. Aside from that, he’s very healthy. The downside is that he cannot be placed in a home where cats already reside. The vet was adamant about this saying that any household that takes him in will just introduce long term problems for their own cats.

Ginger's still living at his old house. My buddy is still care-taking out there and is giving Ginger lots of care and attention. We're on lookout for someone who'll be willing to give him a home in next couple of months. He's such an affectionate cat that I don't think that'll be a problem.

I'd like to thank all those who took time and effort to send in donations. It's life-affirming to know that there are caring people out there. But story's not over. Ginger still needs to be re-homed but at least we have a few months to line up a new residence...

One final note: I only recently learned Ginger's real name. Apparently, it's Redpuss!

"There’s your real problem", he said. "What you’re allergic to is dander produced by your cats. When a cat sleeps on your bed, dander ends up in sheets and duvet and you breathe it in deeply at night when you’re asleep. Not good. That’s what causes your wheeziness. Stop cats sleeping in your bedroom for two or three weeks and see if that eases your symptoms. If not, you’ll probably need to use an inhaler for rest of your life."

Ok, that last sentence kinda hit me between eyes. Much as I love my two furballs, I didn’t want to suffer a long-lasting health problem that could possibly be avoided.

So why is dander such a problem? It's layer of dead skin that's rich in animal protein, which is continuously shed by animals. Sebaceous (oil producing) glands in skin also produce these protein allergens. Male cats have, on average, greater amounts of sebaceous secretions and therefore are more allergenic than female or neutered male cats. This is a result of testosterone hormone effects on sebaceous glands.

So, with that information and prospect of an enduring health problem, I banned my cats from bedroom, threw out duvet (on advice of doctor), bought a new one and changed everything on bed (including getting new pillows). I didn’t get too much sleep first few nights with cats meowing and scratching on door to get in but they got used to idea, finally. After three weeks in a cat free bedroom, my wheeziness had all but disappeared. The cats haven’t been allowed back in since.

Should you find yourself with a similar cat allergy problem, banning cat from your bedroom is one possible course of action. Alternatively, you can get your cat his own cat bed and put that somewhere out of harm's way (yours and cat's).

Since finding out I was mildly allergic to my cats, I've spoken to other cat owners about it and quite a number also suffer some mild form of allergic reaction - sneezing, wheezing, watering eyes, blocked sinuses and so on. Owners appear to become at least somewhat immune to their own cats insofar as symptoms are not as pronounced as they become when they're around other people's cats.

But, having said that, none of us would ever part with our feline companions and would exhort others to adopt a cat as a pet, as benefits far outweigh any minor inconveniences.

Animal dander allergy can significantly contribute to respiratory problems involving sinuses, nasal passages, and eyes, as well as causing upper respiratory tract problems that can result in asthma (as in my case). These problems can significantly diminish your quality of life despite various medical treatments. For some people, it can be even more serious, leading to recurrent acute asthmatic attacks that can be life threatening, requiring emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The good news is that most people who are allergic to their pets can keep their symptoms under control if they know facts.

Gary Nugent has been a life-long animal lover, especially of cats and is the webmaster of http://www.just-pet-cats.com - a site that helps you make the best choices to keep your cat healthy, happy and long-lived. Information about cats in general, health issues, behavior patterns and their history. And, not to forget about you...there are a few things on the site to keep cat owners amused as well.