Asthma and new puppy

[Aledt]

I'm 37 and have hayfever for close to 20 years. A week ago we got a puppy and almost immediately I had a strong reaction to it. I was hoping it was just a coincidence and it was just my regular hayfever. It got worse and I've ended up on steroids and been given an inhaler as my peak flow is about half what is expected. Antihistamine is doing ok with everything but my chest and breathing. Nurse cant be sure it's the puppy but suspects, as I do, that it is. I've now to be tested for asthma. My 6 year old daughter has asthma but so far she has been ok. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Is it possible or practical to keep the dog? I've only just joined this page so apologies if this is a repeat.

[bookworm]

Hi I very rarely on this page however it's worth looking into what dogs don't affect asthma as not all dogs do.

[strongmouse]

I am allergic to cats and dogs. Apparently it is a protein in their dander which can cause a reaction.

My son wanted us to dog-sit while they were on holiday and Healthy House (UK organinsation) sell Petal Cleanse which you use on the animals fur three days before you are in contact with them. We tried it and it worked. If you have a dog in the house then you will need to hoover up any of the dander in the dust from before. I suggest keeping them out of the bedroom and off the furniture. A good hepa filter does help to clear the air. Also use a hoover, vaccuum cleaner, which had a hepa filter in it. If you do a web search there are a lot of scholarly articles on pet allergies.

healthy-house.co.uk/cleanin...

[Mildasthmatic]

Being a mild asthma sufferer, who also experiences hay fever I though I'd offer my view hoping it helps. Animal fur can be a trigger for asthmatics and allergies. Though sufferers have different triggers, I can only tolerate animal fur for a couple of days when visiting friends and family before experiencing symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, which get worse with exposure. If you reacted so badly, I'd recommend finding your dog a good new home. Where possible avoiding known triggers is the best option. Also recently found asthma UK online, which gives plenty of trusted information.

[Aledt in reply to Mildasthmatic]

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. We decided to keep our dog and things are improving. Hoping it was just the initial period that caused the reaction.

[Roxy7]

Hi, I never normally comment but I have alot of experience with both! So been an asthma suffer since I was born, have it under control but I have full on asthma always in hospital when a child - you get the picture!

My mam had a jack Russell when I was born n no issues at all, there was gap after we lost him until we got another which was my dog when I was about 8, asthma was bad and the doctors said related to that so parents decided to rehome, which wasn't easy decision as all family of dog lovers, however still to this day think it was wrong decision.

Teenage years we had Westies, no issues with asthma, and in my adult years I have had 2 of my own, one passed I still have the other.

My advice don't get rid of the dog, I firmly believe that your symptoms will settle and after a while there will be no symptoms as you adjust. You just need the exposure to it - if that makes sense.

Dont get another dog based on no hair drop as might not be the breed for you so other issues there! I happen to have a dog that doesn't drop but that wasn't the reason I got him. Also it's the dandruff/skin drop that affects allergic reactions more.

I have a bad reaction initially to cats but over a period it settles.

Hope this has helped!

[Aledt in reply to Roxy7]

Thanks for your comment. We decided to keep our dog, didn't want to give up on her without giving it a good go. Things are definitely improving and the antihistamines seem to be enough, for now at least. No need for the inhaler for a week or so now so hoping it'll stay that way!

[Mildasthmatic in reply to Aledt]

Thanks for the feedback, pleased to here things have settled down for you.

Having adopted a stray cat that was happy to live in my parents shed growing up, might explain why I have more (but not complete tolerance) for cats than dogs. It's a case of finding what works best for you, living symptom free with minimal or no medication.

[Jhummelbird]

I was allergic to cats badly and then I looked after my friend's cat is very difficult week especially as I love animals then I got a rescue cat which I rescued from the street. I took antihistamines only a few and then I wasn't having allergic reactions anymore this is about 7 years ago it seems like I'm not allergic anymore it seems to have taken it away with miraculously, so might be if you take some antihistamine it might do something. I'm also allergic to dogs but there are no symptoms.