Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Cat Allergy Sufferers:New Study Underway, Participants Needed!


New Study Underway Could Offer Hope for Cat Allergy Sufferers who don’t Find Relief from Current Treatments

With record cold temperatures hitting North America this winter, many people and their pets are stuck indoors for long periods of time. For the millions of Americans allergic to their cats, this can lead to intensified symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and runny or blocked nose.

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   Doctors are seeking eligible volunteers for a major clinical research study evaluating an investigational cat allergy medicine to determine whether it can help reduce symptoms for a sustained period with a relatively short course of treatment. The CATALYST Study,  is a Phase 3 clinical research study, meaning that the investigational medicine has been found in previous, smaller studies to be sufficiently safe and well-tolerated in people suffering from a ncat allergy to justify a larger clinical trial.

It is estimated that one-quarter of the population may suffer from cat allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology   a common and year-long condition in which exposure to cat allergens such as dander (shedding skin cells) provoke unpleasant and often disruptive symptoms. There are 77 sites across the United States and Canada participating in CATALYST, which is designed to determine whether the investigational medicine can effectively treat the symptoms of moderate to severe cat allergies with people who live with cats and have been diagnosed with the condition for at least two years.

Many people with cat allergies try managing their symptoms with prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants. Sufferers with moderate to severe cat allergies may undergo a series of allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy, which works by trying to teach the immune system to tolerate cat allergens rather than fight them. Allergen immunotherapy typically begins with once- or twice-weekly injections for several months and gradually tapers in frequency to once monthly, but for as long as 3-5 years. Currently available treatment options are associated with poor patient compliance and high potential for side-effects.

In the CATALYST Study, researchers are investigating a different approach to allergen immunotherapy to determine whether the investigational medicine can provide sustained allergen tolerance and corresponding symptom relief over an extended period with only four or eight doses of immunotherapy.


To potentially qualify for the CATALYST Study, participants must be between the ages of 12 and 65, have a cat at home and have been diagnosed with a cat allergy for at least two years. Participation does not require insurance, and participants will receive all study exams and medication at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be provided. To find out if you qualify, please visit www.thecatallergystudy.comor call 1-844-CAT-STUDY. 

In full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the CATALYST study, I was paid to feature this content. I only feature topics that I feel are important to my readers, regardless of whether or not I receive payment to do so.

Photo property of www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com

42 comments:

  1. We never thought about the bad weather confining everyone together making allergy sufferers suffer even more. Must be the same for dog owners too. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Mommy is allergic to cats and guinea pigs but she tries to avoid taking anti-histamines unless it's really bad.

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  3. We are hoping this study really helps. We look forward to the day when no one can use "I'm allergic to my cat" as an excuse to dump them in the shelter.

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  4. No allergies to pets here, but this is fantastic news for those who do suffer. Sharing.

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    1. Thank goodness! I often wonder if I do have allergies sometimes to the boys but i have never bothered to check, I just live with it! (Happily) lol. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. That does sound like a great study and hope they can find some help to those that are allergic. Have a great day.

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    1. We hope so too Marg and we hope you have a great day as well!

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  6. Very interesting. I suffer with allergies but my cat allergies have improved greatly as I have aged and since I had cats. Hope they can find a cure for those who suffer.

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  7. Really hope that this study helps…we know so many people who love cats but have allergies. And more good research and ways to help people with allergies will help keep animals in homes and get more homeless animals adopted!!!

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    1. Amelia that is an excellent point. So many kitties are left homeless due to their owners having allergies, maybe this study will help avoid that.

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  8. Thankful I am not really allergic to my cats, well I'm not allergic to Star and Saphira. I do have a little allergies to Nico and Anya, but it's only a "here n' there"sorta thing, ya' know?

    As for the whole "allergies shot" thing out there, that's gross. Just brush your cat. Shots like that are really dirt and can make you even sicker than you were before. It's like the Flu shot or the Feline Leukemia shot for cats. I wouldn't use those shots/medicine, but whatevs.

    We wish whoever is allergic that they find a cure.


    Ragdoll Mommy~

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    1. you make some good points my furiend!! Thanks for sharing your opinion, we hope they find a cure for those that are allergic too!

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  9. Wow this is interesting as you forget what happens if indoors for long periods x

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    1. you are so right, since I am not allergic I never thought about it til now! xoxo

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  10. On wow!!! I will have to pass that on to !y mother, she is allergic and owns cats. This may be something she is interested in! Thanks for sharing!
    ((Husky hugz))
    Frum pur pack at love is being owned by a husky

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    1. Oh Jenna that is great! Maybe she will qualify for the study! Sorry I didn't make it by yesterday...trying to catch up with some things! xoxo

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  11. That sounds like an interesting study that might benefit cat allergy sufferers in the future. I'm sure those who love but who are allergic to cats would be especially thrilled!

    the critters in the cottage xo

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  12. Great post. Hope it helps!

    Thankfully no allergies here.

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  13. thankfully, in spite of the dryness of my home, neither of my kitties have developed any skin problems!

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    1. Hi Norma, actually this study is for the HUMANS who might be allergic to the kitties :) That is great your kitties don't have any skin problems though!

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  14. That is great. Mom has had allergies her entire life, including cat allergies but she has had a cat since she was seven regardless. The past few years she started taking vitamin D daily and her allergies are good as gone. Doubt it would work for everyone but it has been great at our house.

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    1. Emma wow!!! Vitamin D!! That is super interesting info! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  15. My first thought was that maybe Cody would be participating!
    ...then I realized it was for humans. ; )

    What a great opportunity for allergy sufferers!
    I hope some breakthroughs make it possible for people who can't tolerate a cat in their house to actually adopt!

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  16. What a great study. I was severely allergic to cats as a child, but "sort of" outgrew this as I got older. Certain new kitties' dander at the shelter sometimes sets me off, but I just might have built up some sort of tolerance after all these years...

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  17. sound like this will help a lot of people ,xx Rachel

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  18. Now that's nothing o sneeze at! I hope it is super successful too.

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  19. This is a great study..my eyes have been driving me nuts this summer and I think because the girls are sheeding so much and al the animals are inside most of the day due to heat ...so 4 cats 2 doggies! I have had drs say you may have an allergy to their dander..to which my response has been well then it's bad luck for me because the animals are not going anywhere! I would rather take antihistamines....I also point out to the drs that I have never caught a bad bug off my pets as opposed to from germy people :) hugs Fozziemum zz

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  20. We're pretty excited about this too! Hope it helps get more kitties adopted, as a result, too!

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  21. I notice the dust and being enclosed in the winter bothers me more. One of my kitties too. Hope the study can help a lot of people.
    Sue B

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  22. Well, this is good news! The lady's brother cannot visit her because of severe allergies to cats.

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    1. oh wow that is awful!!! Or....it could be a good thing? Kidding!! xoxo

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  23. Thanks for sharing, we'll definitely forward this to a friend with cat allergies!

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  24. It would be great if there could be a better treatment--especially one that would mean people could keep their kitties when someone in the house is allergic!

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  25. I have had allergies forever but that has never stopped me for having cats. At the moment their are five in the house, I just live with it. Working with cats all the time I often hear "I would love to have a cat but I'm (or my spouse, or child) allergic." Wish there was something to do away with that excuse.

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  26. I have cat allergies, so I'm going to see if I qualify. It would be nice not to have to take allergy medication every single day!

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  27. I don't know if this will work for me, because I get a severe asthma attack from cat dander. But I know that cat allergies are one of the main reasons cats are abandoned. I pray this works for the majority of those allergic to cats. It could cut down on shelter populations and cats abandoned on the streets.

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  28. P.S. I am checking out Circassia stock.

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