What is the best way to deal with allergies (puppy saliva)?

Question

My husband and I have been planning to get a dog for almost a year. We both really, really want a Dobermann. Finally, we made the decision, contacted some breeders. Then, when we made the date to go out and visit the puppies, my husband broke out in hives and couldn't breathe. We left heartbroken and wondered if anyone has experienced something similar and found a way to deal with it (apart from not getting a dog or not getting Dobermann). We are looking at homeopathic treatments, antihistamines, etc. but want to hear from others who have had a similar experience and as to what they have done?

Thank you to those who have responded so far. Emaf1UK, my husband also had ambitions to be a vet. Right now, we don't know if his allergy is generalised to dogs or just to Dobermanns. He has an appointment with an allergist on Wednesday. It was encouraging to read that you were able to develop somewhat of an immunity to your Alsatians. My husband had an Alsatian years ago whom he was not allergic to. So, we don't know if this allergy is something that has come with age. Ironically, we have 3 cats and he does fine with them...so, it is all very perplexing. We were so heartbroken and are not sure if we should make the investment or trust that treatments will work or that he will develop an immunity over time as you suggested.

Answer 1

Truth is, there is no such thing as non-allergenic pets. Check out the source I've pasted below for a comprehensive explanation and suggestions on reducing allergic symptoms :)

Answer 2

I am allergic to dogs but I still own one, I am not sure why but I used to suffer from a constant blocked nose and had trouble breathing when around the dog, I went to hospital and I was prescribed a nose spray that managed to stop the symptoms of it and now I am fine with all my old allergy problems. I have recently been back to hospital to have a review and the doctor said in two years I can come off the once daily nose spray and I will be fine. I tried coming off it for a month and I only started feeling the allergy symptoms close to the sixth week.

If I was you I would go and talk to a doctor or a specialized allergy doctor and I'm sure they will be able to do something about it, I'm not sure if the nose spray will work in your case but you can always ask.. (Sure 3 years on a nose spray, but I'd rather that than not having my dog.)

Also if you don't manage to get the allergies cured try having a look at a bichon frise I have one and they are great for people with allergies (I no longer feel the effects but my dad does with his and he has no problem with this type of dog.) they don't malt and there so cute.


Good luck hope this helped.

Answer 3

y dont u get a hypo allergenic dog lik a bichon havanese poodle maltese bedlington terrier chinese crested and so on.i also hafta get a special dog lik the ones listed.im just lik your husband with my allergys.i own a bichon.you can go 2 dogbreedinfo.com and go 2 the allergy dog section or go 2 akc.org and look up allergy dogs.i no most of the hypo allergenic dogs r rele girly dogs sorry.you can also look up terriers but i highly doubt it is goin 2 help ur husband.best wishes 2 u and ur husband.the only reel thing is 2 go 2 a local breeder and c if there is a problem.but wen you r ready 2 get a dog MAKE SURE that you check out the breeders 1st.it may take a wile but its 4 the best.best wishes 2 u .

Answer 4

I am allergic to all animals with fur, no matter what the length of it (some people suffer more with long haired animals).

I'm a huge animal lover and wanted (and still do) to be a vet, however as I am so allergic I knocked that on the head. I did work experience at school in a vets and they sent me home after 2 hours, thinking I had the flu.

My eyes swell up and become very itchy. I rub them so much that they bruise and I look like I have 2 swollen black eyes. Sneezing is the biggest problem. All that from just being in the same room as an animal with fur. If I touch the animal, on the hand I touch them with I get a rash, red blotches. It spreads up my arm and effects the whole side of my body, depending on which hand I touched them with.

We've always had dogs when I was growing up (Alsations) and a cat. I've tried all sorts of things, sprays, tablets but nothing worked. The only thing I found to work was being around the animal as much as I could and I eventually get immune to it.

Did he touch the puppies, or was it simply from being in the same room as them? As I found I was worse touching the animal I started off just being in the same room as them and "coping" with the swollen eyes and sneezing etc.

Is it only Dobermanns that starts off the allergy? If it's all dogs, as with me then visit a friend that has a dog and spend some time there in the same room, as much as you can. His body's natural defences will try to fight against the allergy but no promises that it will succeed.

Even though I was eventually used to our Alsations I would still get allergic to other Alsations. Though not as bad as I initially did. Now I'm fine with our dogs and cats. The only thing I can't do is have the cat on my lap and stroke it for long periods of time. I can pick them up and stroke them, but not for very long, or my eyes start to swell again. I can brush our dogs now - never used to be able to do that. But I kept doing it, and now I'm ok with it.

However, if I go away from them for any length of time, on holiday etc and come back it starts again.

So basically try visiting friends with different types of dogs, try antihistamines, they may well work, though didn't for me. Try not to get too close to them - one step at a time. Just being in the same room to start with, for a while, then progress to touching them and see how his body reacts.

I know it doesn't work for all people though your body will get used to a dog, though does have limits, like me and not being able to spend too much time stroking the cats - it only allows me to do so much, but compared to what I was like, and couldn't even be in the same room as an animal with fur it's an amazing improvement.

Don't think I'm quite ready to be a vet though and probably too late!

Hope you find a cure!

xx

Answer 5

There are a couple of breeds of dog that are allergen free or have a smaller chance of causing allergies. Talk to your vet and/or do some extensive research.

Allergies to animals is usually caused by dander and/or fur.

I believe, if I remember correctly, that schnauzers and maybe shiba inus are low or non-allergenic.

Answer 6

maybe it wasn't the dogs causing the allergy. visit a different breeder. or try a hypo allergenic breed like a poodle (they come in many different sizes from tea cup (very cute!) to large standard size) or labradoodle. These breeds don't shed which can be an added bonus!

Answer 7

the human body changes every 7 years,this is noted with allergies,fits,sunshine.an allergie test done by your doctor can sort what is the trigger.but if you want a dog and the allergie is dogs,you can pick non moulting dogs like Yorkies,lasa apso,bision frisse,poodles toy upto standard[large ones]

Answer 8

I was allergic to my dog when we first got her and now im pretty much immune to it. but when it was really bad we got this spray that you can either get from the vet or a petstore and you just spray it on their coat. it really helped

Answer 9

i had the same problem - i bought a bichon frise and am not allergic to it as it doesnt shed.
alsations are a no go for me as are any cats and most dogs.

poodles bichon and other non shedders would probably ok.
i wish you luck, its a bummer being allergic.

Answer 10

okay ill heip you out just try taking a animal manual to find cures or make an oppontmint with the vet in the meantime care with your dog be as nice as you can be and soon you will find cures to help you out