Help! Possible allergy in DC - what to do?

[Naicecuppatea]

We are really hoping to add a GR puppy to the family in a few weeks. Today we visited the home of the puppies and several adult dogs (lots of dog hair everywhere!). Spent an hour with the DC stroking them and chatting to the owner. On the way home in the car, DD (5) complained her eyes were itchy. By the end of the 1.5 hour journey home her poor eyes had swollen and were very blood shot. They're better now after some antihistamine and a eye wash, but could she be allergic (likely) and if so, do we need to forget about getting a dog?

It would be good to hear experiences of any child allergies in families with dogs, and how or if they were overcome.

[RidersOnTheStorm]

I wouldn't get a dog. It will be awful for your poor DD.

[TitaniumSpider]

My DDs both have an allergy to dogs. One of them was at a friend's house on a teaching training day and they have a dog. She was ill for a week, coughing, sneezing, wheezing and was diagnosed with asthma by the GP.
You need to forget the idea of a getting a dog and see if she is OK with other animals. My DD is OK with horses but they are a PITA in your average living room.

[gamerchick]

My daughters the same and it never got better. Dog hair made her eyes swell up. I took her for allergy testing to make sure and it showed other allergens also. She's got a bit better with cats but still needs an AH if she stays here and there are some dogs who she doesn't react to.

[scotsgirl64]

some dogs are ok...poodles for instance- they have 'wool'coats rather than hair

[Princesspeach1980]

I would consider a different breed. I'm allergic to cats and no amount of antihistamines would ever get me to the point where I could have one in the house.

[GreenMarkerPen]

some dogs are ok...poodles for instance- they have 'wool'coats rather than hair

definitetly not. the allergy is not only to the hair, but also the dander and dried dribble.
I would not get the dog, it would be unfair if you have to rehome very quickly.

[insan1tyscartching]

Dd is allergic to animals in general, awful to cats and rabbits. We have a poodle cross shih tzu and after the first week she had no symptoms at all with him. We visited him a few times and whilst she had the odd sneeze there was nothing significant. Had she had a severe attack then we wouldn't have been able to have him. From the sound of your dd's reaction I would think twice about getting a dog tbh.

[KittyBeans72]

I grew up allergic to EVERYTHING except the cats I lived with. But i was very careful, i washed my hands after every time i touched them and never let them sleep on my bed. other people's pets were a complete nightmare. as I grew up (I am now 43), I learned to take anti-histamines everywhere with me to be on the safe side. I now own 4 cats and a dog and I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that I am not allergic to any of them any more, and can even towel dry the dog and kiss his head without breaking out. i am, however, allergic to his nose and slobber - if I get it on my face (from my hands), it's a nightmare.

i do believe you develop a tolerance for the animals you live with, if you get used to them slowly (being careful with hair, dander and slobber etc), BUT I am not a doctor and i remember the absolute miserable agony of rashes, asthma and sneezing as a child. could you perhaps do a lot of meets and greets with the dog and have them over to stay a few times before you commit?

[Wolfiefan]

I wouldn't. That's a pretty bad reaction. I might look at a different breed. I actually appear to be allergic to just one of my cats. They are sisters!

[triballeader]

For now I would not suggest living with a dog. My neices husband has to take anti-histimines, bring an inhaler and an epi-pen round when he comes to vist. Our dog has hardly any hair and everything she has access to is either machine washable or damp wipe clean.
Do you have any dog owning friends who you and your daughter could spend short periods of time with? That would allow you to work out if it was a one off to something else in the dogs enviornment or if it was the dog itself. As others have said its the dander and salvia that seem to be the big triggers for those with a real allergic response to dogs.
If it looks like it is an allergy to dogs would sponsering an assistance dog or even a rescued dog at something like the Dogs Trust or even sponser a kennel space at a Dogs Home be an option instead?

[KittyBeans72]

or you could do borrow my doggy! you could stick to outdoor time with a dog for a while and see how you get on.

[chocaholic73]

There ARE breeds that are OK for people who are allergic to dog fur eg poodles as has been suggested. Some people are allergic to the dander (dead skin) and some breeds are shed much more dander than others. There is lots of info on the internet as a starting point so do some research. Then you will need for your DC to spend some time in the company of adult dogs on several occasions. Definitely, don't rush into it for now but equally don't rule it out permanently. Also beware of the "designer crosses" - I have nothing against them, really cute dogs but no guarantees re allergy because they are crosses.

[Naicecuppatea]

Thanks for all the advice. We have been visiting a friend's adult GR for plenty of petting and fortunately she has not reacted at all. It may possibly have been something else causing the itchy eyes. Hopefully we can still go ahead!