Cat Who's Nothing To Sneeze At

Biotech Company Say It's Bred Cats That Don't Trigger Allergies

(CBS)  San Diego-based biotech company Allerca, Inc. says it's bred hypoallergenic cats, that is, cats that don't cause allergic responses in humans.

One hypoallergenic feline, 18-month-old Joshua, was on the set of The Early Show Thursday along with veterinarian Dr. Bernadine Cruz, an Allerca spokesperson.

Cruz told The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner, that she's allergic to cats, but Joshua doesn't produce any allergic reactions in her, such as watery eyes, an itchy throat, or runny nose.

And Elana Safar, who is very allergic to cats, couldn't believe how symptom-free she was after spending the morning with Joshua.

"I am shocked," Safar said. "I react to every cat. I cannot date someone who has a cat. This is amazing!"

Cruz explained that allergic reactions to cats are caused by a protein excreted in cat saliva, skin glands and urine. "Even if you have a totally hairless cat," Cruz says, "you still have the protein. A lot of people think it's dander (that causes allergic reactions), but it's the protein that does."

If cats lick their fur, the protein from their saliva gets on the fur.

Allerca says its researchers have figured out ways to harmlessly change the gene that produces the protein so the gene will make a form of the protein that provokes less of a reaction in humans. The company notes that it has a test to detect the genes that produce the less-problematic protein.

Cruz says a cat like Joshua costs roughly $4,000, due to the intense science involved but, "If you are allergic to cats and have always wanted one, then you can't put a price on it."

Before Allerca will send you one of its cats, it sends you a test to make sure you're not so allergic that you'd even react to hypoallergenic felines.

You can order Allerca's hypoallergenic cats through the company's Web site.

[enrapturelj]

You can use regular shampoo on cats; you don't have to buy special cat shampoo. Dawn dish soap works well too especially on "studtail", a glandular secretion of intact males. Just don't shampoo so much that they get dry skin.

[enrapturelj]

You can use regular shampoo on cats; you don't have to buy special cat shampoo. Dawn dish soap works well too especially on "studtail", a glandular secretion of intact males. Just don't shampoo so much that they get dry skin.

[exusmcsgt]

I have always been amazed by individuals who invite menageries into their living space with the attendant feces, urine, shedding, and parasites that are part and parcel of such relationships.

There are obviously many people out there who are so unfulfilled in their human relationships that they choose to become pack-mates with other species as a result. Their $4K might be better spent on a psychiatrist, in my opinion.

[w07712]

This is yet another asinine example at humans' tampering with mother nature. Leave the cats alone.

[mirage1440]

My husband is highly allergic to cats(itchy nose, watery itchy eyes, hives, the whole nine yards), but I am a huge animal lover. I have a horse and a border collie that lives with my dad due to his allergies. We got a kitten about a year ago, and I wash the cat with a regular cat shampoo every week, and my husband has no allergic reaction to the cat, even when the cat falls asleep on his head at night. Our cat also now loves the water and goes in the shower all the time. We even find him sleeping under the dripping faucet in our bathroom. Our cat is just a mutt and we adopted him for nothing, but the cost of the extra pet shampoo definately does not add up to the $4000 you would spend on a test tube cat.

[june1998]

My wife is alergic to cats, we did some research and discovered that there are 2 breeds, the CORNISH REX, and the DEVON REX that people, including wy wfe have had great luck with. From day one she hasn't had a problem. I think anyone interested should try one of these pure bred breeds before spending $4,000 for a cat. Besides think of all the money you'll save for cat toys.

[tiffanyrk]

This sounds very unethical to me. If you want a 'hypoallergenic' cat, PLEASE buy a Siberian cat. They are wonderful, gorgeous and loving cats. The pure bred Siberian is a great pet and will be more with the buy for at most $700, not $4000! This sounds like a test tube pet to me! The Siberian cats are Pure bred and come with all records and family history so you are sure to get a good healthy pet. You will need to find a breeder close to your hometown. Here are some web sites to look into:

http://users.foxvalley.net/%7Ejonhirst/
http://www.siberiancats.com/
http://lundbergsiberians.home.comcast.net/index.html

[angelaspark]

I've always wanted to have a cat, but my fiance is highly allergic to a cat. Last night I was telling him how bad I wanted to have a cat, and he said he will buy a cat-doll, but will never have an actual cat in his life time!
While I was preparing to go to work this morning, I saw this amazing news! So I e-mailed this article to my fiance.
Thank you very very much for a wonderful information!!

[thenate3]

The fact remains that this company has yet to produce any scientifically credible evidence of their claims. Just because they can't tell a press release from a peer-reviewed study at "The Early Show" doesn't mean Allerca can produce cats worth a $4,000 price tag.

In fact, a real journalist found there are many questions about Allerca and its claims:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060716-9999-1n16allerca.html

[kschuchm]

Siberian cat breeders have long known that their cats are hypoallergenic in many cases. Having brought home a pair last month, I know first hand that this is true as my wife is alergic to cats and hasn't sneezed once.