Cats

Cats to protect children from asthma

Scientists have found that children who kept cats as pets had developed a better immune system against asthma. This finding was originally thought to suppport the "hygiene"or "cleanliness" hypothesis. According to this, a lack of early exposure to bacteria or allergens keeps one branch of our immune system, mediated by "Th1" from developing properly. As a result, the immune syst...

New Treatment For People Allergic To Cats

People who are allergic to animals like cats often do have a reaction like asthma or allergic rhinitis. Study has shown // that it is possible to generate a new therapy based on the immunity of the person concerned against allergic reactions. A protein found in cat saliva and dander, called gamma Feline domesticus causes the release of histamine in people allergic to cats. The latest...

Another contender for bird flu besides poultry; cats!

The hue and cry for chickens is now being transferred to cats. It has been found that cats that eat infected chickens can contract the deadly// H5N1 virus. Scientists from Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, say the risk is being overlooked. The first incidence of domestic cats dying of the H5N1 virus emerged in Thailand in 2004 when 14 out of 15 cats in a household near Ba...

Children Having An Early Exposure To Cats May Develop Eczema

According to a new study the children who are exposed to cats soon after birth face an increased risk of developing eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes the skin// to become red, scaly and itchy. This study was presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 21st. Being exposed to two or more dogs at home suggested a slightly protective, but not si...

New Breed Cats Marketed

A biotechnology firm in San Diego, California, Allerca, Inc., is now taking orders for its Allerca Gene Divergence (GD) kitten, the world’s first hypoallergenic cats //.This is a boon to the several allergy sufferers who are also cat lovers. Allerca sources claim that they searched for natural variations in the cat gene that induces allergy-inducing properties and then promoted the...

Cats To Aid in Prevention of Bird Flu

Government advisers recommend that cats can be used to understand and prevent the spread of avian flu //. ‘W...

Allergy-less Cats Available For ￡2,500

Cat lovers are in constant fear of getting allergic to them. Now they can rejoice for a new breed of cats that do not cause any allergies are on sale for a whooping ￡2,500! // A protein that is present in the saliva and urine triggers off allergic reactions to cats. These special cats were bred by deleting this protein. California-based biotech firm Allerca conducted tests on thousand...

South Korea Plans To Destroy Cats And Dogs To Prevent Bird Flu

South Korea has planned to kill cats and dogs over fears of the spread of bird flu. The Agriculture Ministry decided to cull even dogs and cats so as to prevent further spreading// of the H5N1 virus after an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus at a chicken farm last week. Animal health experts suggested that this was 'a bit of an extreme measure' because there was no scientific evidence tha...

Copy-cats Not Approved

The Red Cross Society of India (IRCS) wants its symbol back.It has notified public sector Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) by way of letter// that it disapproves of the company using its red-colored cross symbol at pump outlets and other services of the company. "We have written to the chairman of Indian Oil telling him to direct petrol pump owners not to use the emblem from the outlets,”...

Insights into Osteosarcoma in Cats and Dogs may Improve Palliative Care

Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that a molecular pathway known to have a role in the progression of bone cancer in humans is also critical to the pathology// of skeletal tumors in dogs and cats. Their work could lead to advances in the palliative care of companion animals afflicted with osteosarcoma. The research team, which included U. of I. pathobiology professo...

Cats at Home Poses Allergy Risk in Young Children

Cats and cat allergens in the home clearly raise the risk of the allergic sensitisation of children up to the age of two. For older children//, however, the influence of the environment at home on the development of cat allergen sensitization decreases. This is the conclusion reached by scientists from the GSF – National Research Center for Environment and Health (GSF), Helmholtz-Associ...

Cats at Home Poses Allergy Risk in Young Children

Cats and cat allergens in the home clearly raise the risk of the allergic sensitisation of children up to the age of two. For older children , however, the influence of the environment at home on the development of cat allergen sensitization decreases. This is the conclusion reached by scientists from the GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health (GSF), Helmholtz-Associat...

Allergic Individuals Should Keep Away from Cats, Say UK Scientists

Cat lovers, otherwise allergic, beware. Cuddling your pet could prove bad for your lungs. UK researchers have found that a protein secreted from the cats skin could irritate the lungs and exacerbate the symptoms of asthma, even in people who have no specific allergy to the animals. Of course the problem is restricted to individuals who generally suffer from allergy of one kind or...