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Original poster

Do we have to give up our puppy? urgent advice please.

73 replies

SunshineDaisiesButterMellow · 09/09/2014 14:13

We got a gorgeous puppy yesterday. She slept on the floor of my room. My ds 16 months sleeps with me.

This morning ds had a small hive on his forehead. Later when napping on his cheeks came out. 20 mins later all gone.

They were playing downstairs and outside together for about 2 hours. Ds was fine. Now I brought him back to bed for a nap he is raised in hives on his face again.

We have been looking after pils dog for a week and ds was fine. But nothing has changed, food/ laundry, he's fine in himself, except the puppy.

Dd and ds will be gutted if we have to give up the pup but ds comes first obviously. But do you think it's definitely the pup?
Can he be allergic to pup but not pils dog?

OP posts:
Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses · 09/09/2014 14:25

I'd keep the puppy, if he has a mild allergy then he'll soon get used to it and the allergy will go.
If you segregate him from all dogs he'll always be sensitive to them.
Same goes for food sensitivities IMO.

(Obviously this doesn't apply to children with serious allergies going into anaphylactic shock etc)

Hoppinggreen · 09/09/2014 14:28

If the allergy is mild he will probably be ok and will get used to the dog.
My DD is allergic to cats ( we have 2) but we find it doesn't affect her but she is worse with other peoples cats.
If he really is suffering then yes the puppy might have to go

Original poster
SunshineDaisiesButterMellow · 09/09/2014 14:30

How do you know if it is mild or not?

With the hives they seem to have gone again. Is this normal?

Should I put the puppy in another room?

Thanks for answering.

OP posts:
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 09/09/2014 14:30

You can be allergic to different kinds of fur but not all types. My DSis is. I think as you've had the puppy such a short time it would be fairest to ask if you can take it back since your DS is allergic. I have hay fever and when it isn't controlled it's really unpleasant so I wouldn't want my DC to have to live with an allergy or take antihistamines all the time.

IngridCold · 09/09/2014 14:34

If it's only hives and not wheezing, I'd be tempted to persevere for a little while.

DH was - it turned out - a bit allergic to dogs when we got ours but got over it and I've heard quite a few people say the same.

Moreisnnogedag · 09/09/2014 14:37

I'm a bit allergic to animal saliva. Takes me about a week or so to get used to it but then don't react at all.

I'd persevere.

micah · 09/09/2014 14:38

It sounds like he has the hives in bed?

I'd have thought the hives would come out while in contact with the puppy, or wouldn't go away while in contact?

I'd be thinking it's something in his bed, if the hives show up there, and not while playing with the pup...

TheIronGnome · 09/09/2014 14:49

Why not have them sleep in seperate places? I wouldn't want a dog and a baby sleeping in the same room, hives aside!

WellnowImFucked · 09/09/2014 15:08

Hate to say it but are you sure he's been flea treated properly??

kentishgirl · 09/09/2014 15:44

You shouldn't have a dog and a toddler/young child sleeping in the same room. It's not safe, never mind a minor allergy. It may be a small pup know, but it won't be for long, and teenage pups chew/bite for teething/merriment. Adult dogs shouldn't be sleeping with young children either. It may sound OTT, but better safe than sorry in not having them alone together.

Original poster
SunshineDaisiesButterMellow · 09/09/2014 15:59

Thanks for the advice. The puppy is on the floor of our room. And ds sleeps in bed with me. He's not asleep alone with the dog.
Although I'm having a rethink and will probably put the dog bed in the bathroom next to the bedroom.

It has been flea treated yes we got her from a good breeder. Would we all show signs of itching if it were fleas?

I think it may be something in the bed as its only in bed that the hives come out but nothing has changed since yesterday and he didn't have hives then.
Have just changed the bedding and hovered the bed. Hopefully he'll be ok tonight.

OP posts:
sooperdooper · 09/09/2014 16:02

Don't let the dog get used to sleeping in your room, dogs need their own place to sleep - it'll take a while for the puppy to get used to it but persevere, it's a bad habit to get into long term

TwinkleDust · 09/09/2014 16:07

My first thought was fleas too. Best clue is small specks of black in the fur. If so, comb some onto kitchen roll, add a little water; if the water turns reddish then it is flea droppings. If your son has never reacted in this way to your parents dog then it is less likely to be dog allergy. Probably not a good idea to have a dog sleeping in the same room as you and a baby anyway.

landrover · 09/09/2014 16:13

Certainly treat the dog for fleas anyway, it should be done 2 or 3 times a year, whether they have fleas or not (and wormed) Getting it from a breeder won't make any difference. (and no, they don't always itch if they have fleas)

Deffo keep dog from upstairs in any event, if you get a house infested with fleas,that is not pleasant!
I think it would certainly be worth given it a couple of days, antihistamines perhaps?

landrover · 09/09/2014 16:14

It could also be dust mite allergy? If its just in bed, vacuum bed, boiled sheets etc, keep bedroom well ventilated etc.

VivaLeBeaver · 09/09/2014 16:15

I got by dog from a Crufts winning breeder and it had fleas and worms even though the breeder promised he'd been treated. Was riddled with worms.

BalloonSlayer · 09/09/2014 16:16

I wouldn't call hives a mild allergy.

I wouldn't want my child have to endure hives for a second if I could prevent it. Deeply Hmm at all the posts suggesting making a small child endure hives for the sake of a dog you've had ONE day.

Agree you need to make sure it IS the dog, of course.

icymaiden · 09/09/2014 16:37

I don't think you should have a dog in the same room as a baby whilst you are asleep

kentishgirl · 09/09/2014 16:48

I'm sorry to post this link - I know these things are very very rare - but you aren't removing the risk by being there in the bed with your child. This 4 year old was killed by a dog attack while in bed asleep with her mother.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mountsorrel-dog-attack-lexi-branson-2680156

Hpparent · 09/09/2014 16:59

I wonder if it is something else in the room. DD2 is dog and horse allergic. Her symptoms are sneezing, streaming nose and eyes and a red itchy rash. Takes a while to subside. What happens if he strokes the dog?

DoJo · 09/09/2014 17:00

I wouldn't use guesswork to treat anything that you think might be an allergy. Whilst some people undoubtedly 'get over' their allergies, some get worse and their symptoms can deteriorate rapidly. If you think your son is allergic to something (anything!) then I would seek medical advice - at 16 months, your son might not be able to tell you what he is feeling but proper allergy testing or at least advice from your GP should help you identify the cause and eliminate it or work with it appropriately.

BarbarianMum · 09/09/2014 17:18

If its an allergy to the dog, one of 2 things will happen. Either he'll quickly build up a tolerance to it or, alternatively, he'll develop a dog allergy. There is no way of predicting how this will go (although the hives would suggest the latter).

As a small child I was brought up with a dog, a horse and a rabbit. Age 3 I had a mild allergy to dogs in general but was OK with ours, and life threatening allergies to rabbits and horses. Still have these today.

As this is a new puppy as a pose to a much loved family pet Id suggest you take it back sooner than risk re homing later.

Mrsmorton · 09/09/2014 18:32

The dog needs its own space aside from any allergy issues. You should make it a "nest" somewhere otherwise you may be storing up issues with house training.

Bulbasaur · 09/09/2014 18:44

I'd keep the puppy, if he has a mild allergy then he'll soon get used to it and the allergy will go.

Not true. My dad grew up around cats and now can't be around them without his throat closing up. Allergies don't always get better with exposure, sometimes they get worse.

My allergies were so bad I had to get shots, and there were times that we had to keep starting over at lower doses because my body would just flare up. I'm fine now and hardly have any allergies. But, that was in a controlled environment, not a home where your DS doesn't get a break from the allergens between doses so his body can build an immunity.

My dad is mildly allergic to dogs, and he has a dog. This is what he does.

  • No dog on bedroom or furniture.
  • Dog has to stay down stairs at all times
  • Dog gets brushed and groomed regularly so fur doesn't float around the house.

He also has a long haired breed so the hair "sinks" to the floor instead of floating everywhere.

VeganCow · 09/09/2014 19:10

Those saying dogs should be kept out of the bedroom...er, says who??
I have had dogs for 25 years and they have always slept in the bedroom - and most of the people I know with dogs also allow their dog to sleep in the bedroom.
Some don't allow them on the bed, they sleep in their own dog bed on the floor, but I dont think any of my dog walking friends ban their dog from the bedroom.
Dogs are pack animals and love sleeping with their 'pack'

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