Severe dog allergy and asthma - has anyone had to rehome a dog?

[LancashireRunningGirl]

Hi I wondered if anyone can offer any advice please regarding dog allergies. I haven't been well for the past 9 months - thought initially it was my severe asthma not well controlled but recent blood tests have revealed I have a severe dog allergy. This is probably playing a big part in the breathing problems I have been suffering from along with my severe asthma. I have had all sorts of tests and in the next couple of weeks seeing a consultant at our local hospital about my lungs. We do have a dog (a very hairy, constantly shedding one) - I have always said there is no way I would get rid of him but a couple of nights ago I had a bad asthma attack 10-15 minutes after playing with him which was very scary. Just wondered if people had any thoughts or if you have had to re-home a much loved dog how did you cope. I keep crying my eyes out at the thought of having to re-home him. Thank you :)

I'm so sorry, its completely heartbreaking but I can't see another option but for you to rehome, you don't need me to tell you how often asthma is fatal.

Are you taking anything for the allergies at the moment?

I suddenly developed a whole swath of allergies in my mid twenties. Around 4 years before this happened I'd adopted a trio of kittens, who I was very suddenly allergic to. I also have asthma that worsens with allergies.

I talked it through with my doctor and she agreed that the cats were enough of a benefit to my mental health that it was worth seeing if we could get the allergies under control before looking at rehoming - I'd been in and out of hospital a lot and they really helped stabilise me.

I take two fexofenadine every morning (360mg) along with Forstair (an inhaler that is both preventer and reliever). I keep a blue inhaler around for emergencies too. Then I also take Montelukast which massively cut down on wheezing. I keep an O2 monitor at home and check every couple of days to make sure I'm staying above 97%.

With the above I've managed to stay mostly symptom free and haven't had an asthma attack triggered by the cats since that first year. They are now 13. I won't be replacing them when they die as I don't want to keep risking my health forever but I'm happy to keep going as long as they do.

Obviously don't just demand the drugs I'm on - they may not be suitable for you at all, I just wanted to show that there may be a treatment plan that can keep you relatively safe and buy you time with your beloved dog. Talk to your GP or whoever is seeing you about this and see if there is a potential option for you.

You can get a referral to the Royal Brompton which has an allergy clinic specialising in pet and other allergies www.rbht.nhs.uk/for-healthcare-professionals/refer-patient/allergy-referrals

Hi I also take 2 Fexofenadine every day along with Trimbow inhaler and Montelukast every evening and then have blue inhaler aswell.
My breathing is just getting worse though.

You being able to breathe is more important than a dog.

Bluntly, asthma kills. Take advice from people who know asthma, not those who have managed other less life-threatening allergies.

Personally if you were my loved one, I think I'd be begging you to re-home your dog. Do you have any family members who could step in and take him?

can you get those injections that desensitise you?

I think if you've tried that route without success then rehoming might be the last resort then. Is there any family or friends who would take them so you could still visit occasionally?

I lost my childhood best friend to an asthma attack at her own 10th birthday party so I've always been aware of just how fast and suddenly asthma can kill. I was prepar d to give up the kitties if I couldn't manage it safely but was slightly more lucky than you.

Good luck with finding your furball a wonderful home - I'm sure he would choose to have you healthy and well at a distance if he understood the choice himself.

If you have tried this, and it’s not helping, and the worsening is due to the dog allergy, then I think rehoming seems a valid option. Do you have any family members that could take the dog?

My neighbours did when they realised their child was allergic to the dog. They never realised until they went on holiday without the dog, and all her symptoms returned on coming home. So they rehomed the dog.

don't fuck about with lungs

you tried if medication can spare you this heartbraking decision. but you already know that you must rehome your dog.

OP, i think all trusts have to be bringing in, and enacting "Biologics" for asthma by 20th June, I believe, but do check. Our trust is certainly 20th June this year. This is in accordance with NICE and NHS England ( as was, but is being reformed now, into "Places and "Neighbourhoods").
Has your consultant talked to you about Biologics?
It would seem to me that you will be a high contender for these, as your asthma is severe. It might be worth investigating...this is the next big thing in asthma ( and COPD) care.

I don't have animals so l understand that I'm not emotionally torn in my decision making..... but I'd rather remove the trigger to my allergies then keep administering more drugs into my body that could have other long term effects.

My brother was severely allergic to our cats as kids with repeated asthma hospitalisations. I don’t know anything about medications but he would have had them.
my parents replaced the sofa with a leather one as easier to clean, hard floor instead of carpet. Cats weren’t allowed on the sofa or upstairs at all ever. There is a product you can get called petal cleanse which you put on the pet to help with the dander as that’s the thing you’re likely allergic to not the fur.
they got a vacuum cleaner with a pet filter.
it worked for him anyway

I have a severe pet allergy and there's no way I could have a dog or cat living in my home. Asthma attacks are no joke and can kill. I think you need to rehome the dog 😔

Asthma biologics have existed for years. They are bringing one in for some patients with COPD which is probably what your trust is referring to.

OP if you have severe asthma, rehome your dog. If your symptoms are worsening the airway remodelling in your airways is very likely worsening as well.

Oh gosh how awful losing her at only 10 years old, so sorry. Sadly I don't have anyone to take him - going to have to get back in touch with the rescue we got him from and take it from there.
Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated.

Sadly I have been told I am not suitable for Biologics - wish it were different as would have loved to at least try them !!