Allergic to puppy

[rosieglovestea]

Hi all, I'm hoping for a bit of advice. I'm allergic to dogs, but my husband and kids have wanted one for ages. I have relented and we brought a cockapoo home on Saturday. She is 8 weeks old, and after cuddling her a couple of times and not reacting at the breeders house, I was hoping that I would be ok. I'm not, I have started with hay fever symptoms, although they are not terrible. I have heard stories from friends about how they have reacted terribly over time, or are no longer allergic. I know that no one can predict which way I will go, but does anyone have any advice? I'm going to buy an air purifier today to filter the dander. We have an arrangement with the breeder that we can take her back at the weekend if I'm suffering, but that would break my family's heart. Thank you

[Zippetydoodahzippetyay]

My mum had this with horses. When we first got them she was so allergic that her eyes would swell up until she couldn't see. Her breathing would become asthmatic. But she had always wanted horses her whole life. So she took daily antihistamines, wore a bandana around her mouth and nose when around them and always showered soon after contact. Within a couple of years, her symptoms had almost completely died down, though she continued taking antihistamines regularly.

[Glassio]

I take a daily antihistamine , have done for the last 13 years with ddog.

[LochJessMonster]

You might build up a tolerance to her, that's what happened to my sister with a similar -poo cross.

Wet dust surfaces to stop the dander flying up in the air.

Antihistamines.

[rosieglovestea]

That's reassuring that a few of you have experience of this. Thanks for your replies xx

[PrincessSloth]

My DP was allergic to my dogs when we first got together, 8 years later he is no longer allergic but still allergic to other dogs

[Wolfiefan]

You’re allergic to dogs but got a dog????
Poo crosses aren’t magically not dogs. I’m not sure how this will work.

[Whynosnowyet]

4 ddogs here. Been allergic my whole life. Antihistamines and hand-wash after stroking!! You will build up some immunity op. Only 1 of them gives me an itchy rash!! A small downside to ddoggy ownership.

[Wolfiefan]

Allergies can get better or worse. Handwashing and antihistamines aren’t always enough @Whynosnowyet

[LochJessMonster]

Also, my Grandad is allergic to dogs, he doesn't get affected by the 2 -poo crosses, but does by my GSD. However exposure does seem to help over time, he's definitely much better with the hair now then when I first got him.

[SciFiScream]

I have allergic rhinitis (basically anything can set me off and sometimes random!) I take a daily antihistamine, wet dust, hoover regularly, ban pets from my bedroom and wash hands and face if been near a pet. Has helped so far.

We have two cats. The first few days were awful but now I'm fine and I actually think I'm having fewer allergic reactions generally (anecdata). I certainly sneeze less.

Pets at home has wipes for the fur that help reduce allergic reaction. (I have no idea if this is a good idea or not...)

Hay fever responses - treat the symptoms and maybe try a salt nose spray or time in a salt cave? The latter two have helped me for sure.

I think it probably takes around 3 months to fully adjust.

[frostedviolets]

I don't want to sound like I am 'attacking', it must be really upsetting for you and your family, but did you not research at all?

A quick google would have told you that there is no guarantee a crossbreed would be lower allergen, they can inherit either coat.

I'm glad the breeder has agreed to take the puppy back.

[Kaykay066]

Not a chance I’d be taking medication like anti histamine daily because your family wanted a dog - your husband and kids wants trump your health and well being? I’d get rid of them than the dog tbh.

I’ve got a dog and cats and have allergies but not to them or I’d not have them. Give the animal back

[Hoppinggreen]

That sounds awful OP but I think the dog really needs to go back to the breeder. If you family would rather see you suffering then they are being pretty selfish but getting a dog when you have a dog allergy is ridiculous
I really hope people getting an overpriced mongrel because “it’s hypoallergenic “ see this!!

[Whynosnowyet]

A friend's dd bought 2 supposed non allergic dkittens. A very very costly trip out..
Her dh was still ill.
She threatened sleeping in the garage - and she didn't mean the dkittens.
He got prescribed antihistamines - a 3 months course and they worked.
Sadly 1 dcat was killed recently..

[AgathaX]

Take her back to the breeder while she is young enough to still find a decent home. No point keeping a dog (or getting one - why??) that you are allergic to and have no way of knowing if that allergy will get better or worse.

[sparklystarshinebright]

My friend reacted to our poo cross when she came for the weekend.
Soon after she amazed me by getting a labrador! She took antihistamines every day for 18 months and now 5 years later has no reaction, her body must have built up an immunity.
I used to have cats and then they died and a couple of years later my mom got 2 cats and I reacted sneezing etc. Seems not being around them for a while my body reacted.
I would stick with puppy if your reaction is bearable and your body may adjust. Good luck!

[onlyoneoftheregimentinstep]

I had the same reaction when we got kittens. I did soon get used to them but was always careful to wash my hands after touching them.

[MissShapesMissStakes]

As a few pp said - a 'poo cross' is no guarantee. They are often sold as hypoallergenic. Which is bonkers! No dog is hypoallergenic, and these are bred with shedding dogs anyway.

'Proper' poodles don't shed. But even if they don't shed, it doesn't mean you won't be allergic anyway.

I'm allergic to dogs. Always have been - asthma and hay fever symptoms.
After MUCH research, I went to meet someone with poodle pups. I met the parents and spent some time with them because puppy hair changes and I wanted to check adult poodle hair didn't bother me as much as I could. Of course, nothing is going to test it as much as living with a dog.

The last thing I did was meet the puppies. Because who can do that and then say no?!

I actually did have a bit of a reaction once he had moved in for the first month. But now I don't react at all to him. And I react less to other dogs too.

As someone said, allergies can get worse or better. I grew up with cats and never thought I was really affected by them. But once I wasn't living with cats I realised that my breathing was so much better.

I also had an agreement with the breeder that I could return our pup if my allergies were bad. I would think that you will still be suffering at the weekend. It took mine a good few weeks to settle. Is there any way the breeder will wait longer. My dogs breeder was even phoning after 6 months to check all was good.

An air purifier didn't do anything for me as he's a poodle there really was very little dander floating about anyway. It might work for you if it's about the floating dander. It that will always be there long term. It was all from touching him and being close for me to start with. Luckily that's all good now.

Hope you manage to sort it. Would be very hard to return your pup but your health has to come first.

[Beamur]

I am allergic to other people's pets but seem to get used to my own cats/dog. Poor guinea pig sets it off badly though so snuggles are few and far between.
Got 2 kittens recently and had a few wheezy days (suspect it was the cat litter more than the cats). Ok now. Not taking antihistamines but do use a nasal spray at night if I'm snuffly.
Maybe it depends on the severity of your symptoms.

[OrchidFlakes]

Have you bathed her yet? We had similar with a pup we fostered, I was in a terrible state with eyes, breathing etc despite not suffering before at all. Bathed her and it improved no end. I wondered if it was the mums saliva I was reacting too as she was just 8 weeks and came to us straight from mum.
Also wet dust, Hoover and mop daily

[Barbie222]

I spent my whole childhood wheezing, running and sneezing because of my family loving cats. It will just become a proper misery. You will think all is going well today, then one of them will have sat on a towel and that's the rest of the day gone to you. Some people think they become accustomed to it, but what is really happening there is that your body just becomes used to living in a constant state of allergic arousal, and then it's easier for anything to tip you over into a full blown attack where you will have to get help with breathing. I love cats and dogs and deeply regret not being able to have one - especially dogs - but too many people rely on me being healthy and able to breathe!

[Rosse123]

Hi,
I’d love to hear how you go on with your allergies. I too am in exactly the same position now. When I was young, I had a dog with no allergies but when she died I developed an allergy to dogs.

We have just got a Maltese puppy and I’ve developed an allergy despite not reacting at the breeders.

I know in the past I have become immune with exposure but so far it’s not happened as I’d hoped. I hope all worked out OK.