Regular readers may recall that my five-year-old rescue presented with
asthma two days after adoption, then about a year later we found she had EGC
(linear granuloma, aka bumps on the backs of her hind legs).

My vet recommended Depo Medrol shots as often as she needed them. I took her
at first sign of coughing and/or bumps, usually about four times a year in
2002 and 2003.

She has shown no symptoms of either asthma or EGC since July 2003. None. She
has not had a shot since then. She had a round of Prednisone (tapered up,
then down, over 2 weeks) in November because we were afraid to give her Depo
due to another condition that cleared up by itself. Since then, nothing.

Changes: I quit using a cleaning service I had used the entire time she has
been here. I stopped using any perfume at all. I switched from a highly
scented litter to a litter with a softer scent (Tidy Cat Scoop). I began
feeding her wet food in addition to her dry food.

Note--I didn't do any of this as an effort to help her--these things had not
ocurred to me (stupid, for sure) as I had focused on plant and mold
allergies. I hadn't thought about perfumes or cleaning chemicals at all.
About the perfume: I rarely wore it, and then just a little. But it was
Alfred Sung's "Pure," which has a distinctly citrusy scent, which cats are
supposed to hate. (I ran out and couldn't find any, is why I stopped wearing
it on special occasions.)

Cheeks, once scrawny and barely 7 pounds, is "burly" looking now, not fat,
just filled out, with a minky-feeling coat. Bet she weighs 8.5 pounds. She
plays all the time, races through the house and loves the laser pointer. Her
acrobatics make her look like a monkey, hee hee. Point is, she is visibly
happier and healthier.

Those of you who have cats with either asthma or egc who haven't already,
jettison some fragranced products, and feed wet food if you are not already.
(I don't feed her expensive food, just what she loves.) It might make a big
difference for you too.