In 2010 we introduced a method for collection and testing cat allergen using ELISA technology. This makes it possible to measure the allergen a kittens will produce when mature. We have placed kittens in homes with mild to severe cat allergies with excellent success. Most cat allergies are from Fel d1, a very small allergen produced in saliva and fur.
Our tests use a special salivant and a proprietary method for obtaining saliva from cats/kittens. We stimulate allergen release in kitten saliva which allows us to measure future allergen production. Kittens can be tested starting no earlier than 12 weeks of age.
We documented allergic reactions in hundreds of individuals and mapped the reactions against the allergen levels to create the following chart . If an individual has severe reactions to Fel d1, they can be around a cat that has “Extremely Low” levels of Fel d1. Someone with mild reactions will be comfortable with a “Medium Low” cat. Please feel free to email with questions.
Our allergen charts are an artificial grouping created to understand severity of reactions to Fel d1 allergen in Siberians. From testing hundreds of Siberians, we find 35-50% will test in the Normal range, with the other levels averaging 5-10% each. Allergen levels in large numbers of Siberians would map to a bell-shaped curve, which is not represented here.
The chart below shows what allergen level in a cat that is needed for a corresponding group of symptoms. Match the symptoms you would expect from direct exposure to a cat (face to fur). Allergen levels below are shown in micrograms per milliliter of saliva - µg/ml.
Cat/Kitten Saliva Level Corresponding allergic symptoms ©.
Extra Low. 0.1 - 1.0 mcg hives, swelling, severe sneezing, airway constriction
Very Low 1.0 -1.75 mcg itchy skin, light sneezing, severe runny nose, mild asthma
Low 1.75 - 2.5 mcg moderate symptoms, runny nose, eye irritation, coughing
Medium 2.5 - 3.5 mcg mild cat allergies - eye irritation and stuffy nose
Normal 3.5 - 16 mcg not recommended for homes with cat allergies
© 2005 "Allergen Chart" Meredith Lundberg, DBA Lundberg Siberians, DBA Kitten Testing.com
The allergen chart, allergen levels, and allergic reactions by severityare copyrighted by Meredith Lundberg, DBA KittenTesting.com. Commercial use or derivative use without permission is prohibited. Individuals with allergies should seek proper medical advice before purchasing a cat or kitten.
Notes:
Even low-allergen matings have considerable variations in Fel-D1 allergen, and can produce full normal allergen level kittens. Families with moderate to severe cat allergies should consider purchasing a kitten with tested low-allergen levels.
Kittens begin to produce Fel d1 allergen in noticible levels between 11-13 weeks, and allergen levels continue to increase until 16 weeks of age. Many kittens are sold before allergen levels cause reactions. Families with moderate to severe allergies should not purchase an untested kitten younger than 12-13 weeks old. Always spend time with a kitten prior to taking it home.
In 2002-2004, we worked with University of California Davis to standardize measurements of Fel d1 levels in fur and saliva in adult Siberian cats. These early tests had 40% of the accuracy of our current methods, and could not measure allergen levels in kittens under six months of age with any level of accuracy.
Because of the cost of multiple tests and lab fees, quite a few Siberian catteries in United States are testing using old methods that we designed in 2002 for experimental use on adult cats. We stopped using those methods, as the error rate exceeds 40% in kittens and 20% in adult cats.
We compared results from thirty different salivants at different strengths before finding one that provided stable results. The common bittering agents caused severe errors. Citric acid alters flow rates of androgens, and other salivants caused biological reactions to induced salivation. These errors are compounded in testing of kittens.