my wife tested @ "4" on a 1 to 10 scale as allergic to "dog". problem is doc says it was a "generic" sample.

Question

So we have no way of knowing what breed was used in this allergy test. If we look for a hypo-allergenic dog along with an air purifier, I am willing to bet that my wife won't suffer any ofr minimal allergic reactions. But she NOW feels after testing at a positive "4" that ANY breed of dog will make her ill.
HELP....I NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TALK HER INTO GIVING "MAN'S BEST FRIEND" A TRY @ OUR HOUSE

Answer 1

I have been allergic to dogs my whole life. I got tested for it and I was pretty high on the scale. I wanted a dog desperately so I built up my immunity to dogs by getting a weekly injection of a serum (contained a concentrated dog allergen from my allergen doctor). It took about a year and then we got a Bichon. Bichons, Shitzu's, Poodles are all low dander dogs (some say hypoallergenic, but that is untrue) there are quite a few of these types of dogs.At first he would lick me and it would itch, but that only lasted a few weeks. I have no problems with him at all. I do still have allergies to other dogs.It was totally worth it!

Answer 2

Both my father and I are very allergic to dogs. I was tested on a 1-4 scale and tested at 3+. Breed really makes a difference. I become an itchy sneezy mess when I'm around most dogs, but when I'm with hypoallergenic breeds I notice very little if anything. If allergies are an issue it is important to make sure the dog you get is purebred as even the most pure looking pound puppies often have something else in their line. My first dog was from a pound and looked almost all Basenji, but we later realized there must have been some mixing as allergies were a problem. When my first dog passed we waited quite a while and finally decided that we would only get a dog we were certain was purebred. My dog is now 4 years old and I have never had an allergic reaction, nor has anybody else with dog allergies. Take your wife to houses or breeders with only specifically hypoallergenic breeds (ie Italian Greyhounds, Basenjis, Poodles....) and see if she has a reaction.

Warning: Don't take her to a breeder until you're ready to get a dog.... she'll probably fall in love with a puppy on the spot.

Answer 3

You are 'betting' on your wife's condition. If she has allergies enough to have allergy testing, I'm betting that she does not want to bet that she can tollerate seeing if she'll be miserable and ill if you happened to pick the wrong breed. It's also possible that she'll react to ANY breed. A person who lives knowingly with something that causes allergies is difficult to understand to me. Constant respiratory inflammation related to allergies will put her at risk for developing asthma. It will tend to keep her immune system stressed and she will be particularly open to worsening respiratory infections. Sounds like 'man's best friend' is not a friend to momma. And if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy....usually. No offense intended.