crazy doctor! I need to vent!

[kcleckler]

So my mom has had a cold for about a month now and she went to the doctor the other day and the doctor said that my mom was allergic to Cosmo! He told her that we needed to put the bird in the garage to live! Ha ha ha! I DON'T THINK SO! My little baby WILL NOT be put in the garage under ANY circumstances! My mom said she just laughed at him when he suggested this and told him that I would make her sleep in the garage with our outside dog before I would let Cosmo stay out there and she's absolutely right! It just makes me soooo mad that people can just cast off a living animal like that like its no big deal! She told him to just give her some medicine to help because in a couple of years I will be done with college and move out of the house one day so she'll just deal with it until then. I just feel like Cosmo's life became my responsibility when I got him and that’s not something I take lightly! That would not be fair for him to live in a cold garage for the rest of his life just because my mom sneezes every once in a while. Sorry I just really needed to vent! It just makes me so mad how carless people can be! Thanks guys!

[Phenomenon]

A cold for a MONTH? That doesn't sound like the doctor was being "careless" imo. Good luck.

[Peanutbutter]

I don't think the doc (literally meant or) intended for the bird to Stay in a garage for the 'rest of his life'. I believe he was just trying to stress that it would be best to move the bird out of the central air.

I DO understand being mad at him for suggesting the "garage".... even short term. Most garages are not fit to keep a car in, much less- a bird.

If one of my family had an on going cold that turned out to be an allergic reaction to my fids I would not blame the doc for suggesting I remove them asap from my home & rehome them. I would keep them at a friends home until I found them the 'right' home... I love my birds, but my hubby & kids health comes first.

[Jwhear]

I understand totally what you were trying to convey, I just think it was worded awkardly. The doctor definitely could have been more tactful in the way he said it but it sounds like his intentions were good. My guess is he does not have animals and just doesn't understand when our furry and feathered friends become part of the family and to us they are kids.

But I think my intial reaction would have been much like yours.

[25k]

i am allergic to my birds, but an off brand allergy tablet helps me. i take like 2 a week and blow my nose a lot! but no way could i put my babies in the garage!

[lisege]

Originally Posted by 25k

i am allergic to my birds, but an off brand allergy tablet helps me. i take like 2 a week and blow my nose a lot! but no way could i put my babies in the garage!

I was going to suggest the same thing, over the counter (non prescription) allergy tablets work for me when my cat/dust/pollen/feather allergies flare up in the spring.

You can let the allergy rule you or you can rule the allergy.
----------------

I can empathize with the idiocy of the doctor's statement, to may people animals are just that - animals. Not the living little cuddle bits we know and love. I once dumped a guy for suggesting that I get rid of my cats as I no longer had the need now, since he was in my life. HA! There's the door, hope it bangs you on the way out!

[Tom Lawless]

There are people who are allergic or sensitive to birds and they can not or should not be in the same house as them. Before I gave up, especially since this isn't a forever situation, I would consider purchasing a good HEPA air filter system. That combined with some of the allergy medicine on the market may be enough to allow your Mom to feel good while the bird is in the house. Sadly, sometimes people are so severely allergic to a pet rehoming decisions have to be made but based on your Mom's reaction I am taking it that this isn't the case. I think a good air filter is a good idea for anyone with birds, especially the dustier ones, and even more so if he or she has allergies.

[jdlilfan]

Has Mom looked into allergy shots? I took them for quite a while, (not allergic to birds thank God), but I am allergic to anything furry. They've really helped me a lot. I can pretty much be around dogs now without too many sniffles and sneezes! The only time I have issues around our dog is if she's been outside and rolled around in grass or something. But I still can't get within 10 feet of a cat lol. The only downside is that you have to take them weekly until you reach a maintenance dose, but it's really worth it in the end.

I agree...that doctor had no tact whatsoever. Most of the Joe Publics out there who don't have a bird just don't get it...if you know what I mean? I've ran across plenty of people who've made ignorant comments about my parrots, or parrots in general, and you just learn to shrug it off.

[Sally]

Is your dog always outside? It is best to let them be with us.

[kcleckler]

Originally Posted by Sally

Is your dog always outside? It is best to let them be with us.

Yes she is always outside but I'm outside a lot with her. She is obsessed with her Frisbee and is always bumping you in the leg with it so you’ll throw it for her! She jumps waaaay up in the air to catch it! During the summer time we are out around our pool a lot and she is always with us there. She pretty much does everything with us except come in the house. She loves being outside though and we keep the garage cracked with a heater in there with her during the winter time and she has a HUGE fluffy bed she sleeps on at night in there. I would love for to be an inside dog but I don't think that would make her very happy. I didn't mean to come off like I don't care about my mom's health. I guess I should have explained more. Sorry! I go to college and hour and a half away from our house. I have a townhouse right across the street from campus and I live there during the week when school is in and come home every weekend. Cosmo has a cage at my house at college and at my at home so he goes back and forth with me. Since I don't go to school during the summer that leaves me home with my mom on weekends and all summer so once school starts back in august she won't have to deal with Cosmo being there all the time. So that's what she was telling her doctor, that she is only around Cosmo on the weekends and during the summer and then when I get out of college and get a job I'll move out and take Cosmo with me. I care about the health of my family members but I also feel like Cosmo has become a family member. I'll tell her about all of your suggestions! I think getting an air purifier would be very helpful to my mom and for Cosmo!