I had asthma as a child, the condition lessened as I aged so now I only get breathing problems after a cold.
I am now 74 and have acquired two Miniature Pinchers. They are a delight but since their introduction to the home I have had continual breathing problems continually bringing up phlegm.
Can anyone offer advice on how to alleviate the problem as the last thing I want to do is regime them.
cheers.
Oh what a nuisance! Have you tried taking anti- histamines? I use Cetirizine OTC which controls hay fever, pet allergies etc. I am allergic to allsorts inc. my cat who is old and shedding madly atm. I stroke her with one hand only, don't touch my eyes but wash them and hands after. Hoover up hair. Have had animals all my life and learnt to work round allergies. Also bath your dogs and brush often to keep dander down, let someone else brush and preferably outside. Good luck 🤞
Thanks for that I’ve tried anti histamines but not the Cetirizine so I’ve bought some today.
I do brush them regularly but they’ve only had the one bath in the year we’ve had them so from now on it’s going to be once a week.
Thanks again.
Oops, I didn't mean bath them once a week, that would be a bit much! Maybe once a month, rub a damp cloth over them after brushing to damp the dander down. Brushed my cat today, she loves it as itchy from pollen in fields and sometimes I wipe her with a warm damp cloth, she doesn't mind atall. I find pets are worth the effort to avoid my allergies but enjoy their company. Hope all that helps. 🐶👍
Please don’t take Ceterizine for a long period of time. Rotate your antihistamine! I have just come off it after 15 years of prescription from the GP. As a result been suffering from horrific itching all over my body, especially my hands and feet because my body had to withdraw from it. It has taken eight weeks of agony. So please be careful they help with allergies but rotate them with other antihistamines so your body does not become reliant on them.
I do not take them every day, just when required but have been using them for donkeys years with no problems. I just buy them over the counter, wonder if your prescription ones are stronger or have other things in them? 🤔
They are 10mg and I would take them twice a day. Exactly the same as the ones you buy over the counter.
I think the difference is you are not taking it them everyday. I was originally put on them so I could carry out my job in the community.
It is now well documented that if you take them long term you can have a withdrawal reaction.
I really hope no one else has to go through this but it would seem that they have now recognised it as a problem.
The recommended dose is once a day. A doc once told me taking two was unnecessary as anti histamines don't work that way. Have never seen a problem flagged? What do you take now? 🤔
My GP has prescribed me this dosage for many years. The pharmacist has never queried it. It is now a well documented side effect after long usage. I had no idea my body had become dependant on the drug. My Asthma Nurse stopped my usage because I queried if the drug was still working because I was suffering with awful Hayfever symptoms at the start of the summer. I have had the most horrendous eight weeks but thank God it has now stopped.
For the last three months I am now taking Fexofenadine twice a day. However it has been recommended to me that I rotate to different antihistamines regularly.
I just thought it should be highlighted to people that this can happen with long term usage of the drug.
I agree with the above - frequent bathing and also wash their bedding - weekly if necessary. Hoover daily and if they go in your car or on the furniture hoover that too. If you still get problems and you’re keeping fabrics and surfaces clean and free of dog’s hair you could try using an air purifier with a hepa filter.
Hi, Brush them outside in fine weather. You don't have to wash them all the time use baby wipes baby, water wipes are a bit more expensive but or if you want to be posh you can buy dog wipes fron pet stores or some supermarkets. I've used all three. I have 2 dashunds live near me I call them Ronnie and Reggie not their names but the owner laughs says wish he'd thought of that. Lots of ways to sort dander. These two will be your lifeline. 💕
Hi. Sorry to hear this. I'd love to have a dog but they trigger my asthma so I won't ever be able to have one. It must be frustrating for you having this reaction to the dogs.It's probably too late now but could you restrict where they go in the house! If you are sensitive to the protein in their skin cells (sounds like you are) then you won't need to be exposed to much at all for a reaction.
I'd suggest going to the gp though as your lungs sound inflamed which means they are struggling and will get worse. If you get a cold whilst this inflammation is going on, you may end up with a full blown attack. If you go to the gp, at least you could get a rescue inhaler. It sounds like you would benefit from a preventor inhaler too.
Good luck
I have asthma from having long covid. Started 2 years ago. I have 2 large hairy dogs and they keep suggesting it might be them that are not helping my breathing. We’ve kept dogs for 40 years and they are NON NEGOTIABLE. I don’t have the usual symptoms from being allergic to animal hair. I went and bought an air purifier to see if it helps my breathing - it did massively. I now also have one in the bedroom and it really helps. Good luck finding something to help you as not everything works for everybody, I’ve certainly found that out finding the best inhalers etc.
I put a clean towel over the dog's bed which is washed & changed very regularly. It saves washing & drying the bed. Also she's not allowed upstairs so restricted in the house.I like the idea of wiping down dogs regularly with a damp cloth.
I only take 1/2 an antihistamine which is quite sufficient, probably mostly in summer months. Good luck, P
PS I know I'm not allergic to pet dander since allergy testing in a hospital. Just like to keep the dust & other allergies down. My big one is mould & another is aspergillus but mild so far.
I went to a rental property that unknown to me took dogs and had rugs full of dog hair and a soft sofa. I ended up in hospital.
On the other hand I have no trouble going to my sisters who has lots of dogs.
The difference is the furnishings, my sister has plastic leather sofas, no carpets or rugs.
So I would look at your furnishings and see what you have that could be harbouring pet dander.
Prednisolone questions 
Asthma remission for 6 months
Newly discovered allergies and link to asthma
Clenil - what is a high dose?
Dysfunctional breathing
