Hygiene issue with dog and baby

[fluffyslippersplease]

I'm expecting a baby in October. Dh had the dog before we met 5 years ago. I really am not a dog person which Dh knew. The dog is quite old and seems to have chronic problems with skin, ears and particularly his eyes. We had his eyes operated on but the problems persist. It's constantly shedding skin and hair everywhere and its eyes are always filled with gunge. You clean them and apply drops and ten minutes later they're green again. Two vets have just said keep cleaning and use the drops. I'm very concerned about the hygiene aspects of having this dog around the baby, even around me. I've already had four miscarriages. I have suggested to dh that the dog should remain in the conservatory and the garden rather than coming into the main house. Dh is totally against this because he likes to spend time with the dogs and the conservatory, although it has tv, sofa etc, isn't as comfortable as the rest of the house. He acts like I'm Cruella Deville in this and just accuses me of not liking the dog. I don't dislike the dog. I feel sorry for it but I really don't like touching and stroking it because of its problems especially having a baby. We also have a youngish dc he had from a previous relationship that strokes the dog a lot and I worry about it touching the dog and then touching the baby.

[quote fluffyslippersplease]@Boomclaps the pen thing is a good idea. I do get it. I just didn't think it was a huge deal to stop the dog going in the kitchen/ living area. Clearly it is! [/quote]
Dogs are pack animals so separating them from their family is cruel.

The eye gunge may be unpleasant but it won’t infect your baby.

It’s no good saying your partner knew you weren’t a dog person - you knew he had a dog. He is doing the right thing by not casting the dog aside as an inconvenience, perhaps make more of an effort to bond with the dog and you won’t feel so resentful of it.

Take the dog to a new vet and get some answers.
Stop referring to the dog and DSC as "it" - callous. Do you want your baby referred to as 'it' when he/she arrives?
Don't restrict the dog even further - they are pack animals. What you're suggesting is bloody cruel, especially an old dog who has been restricted by you already.
Children benefit from living with dogs - as others have said - immunity, asthma etc.
As for your comment "I really am not a dog person which Dh knew." - well guess what, he IS a dog person, which YOU knew. Why should he be expected to make allowances for you but not vice versa.
You sound like a real gem!

I think it's natural to have some hygiene concerns re pets and babies but often there's really going to be no issues. I'd maybe set out some boundaries, dog not allowed in the nursery, on your bed (possibly spending lots of time in there with baby) and not to sit where you will sit with baby in living room (either on the sofa or a chair). Presumably the dog isn't jumping on the kitchen countertops so I don't understand the problem with it going in the kitchen. As pp said newborns aren't mobile so very easy to keep them clean.
Now just for reassurance, we had an old cat who would often throw up and often had conjunctivitis. Even though two of the kids were older and stroking her and playing on the floor where she'd been etc they never became ill from her. It's very sad when people rehome pets when a baby comes along without even giving it a chance to work out. The dog is elderly, if you forced your DH to give 'it' up you're signing it over to live out its last days caged up at a rescue centre.

I think it's a bit mean to shut him out of other room as he's old and it will seem he's being pushed out
If he already doesn't go upstairs and I'm lounge you have plenty of dog free areas
Dog shouldn't get too close to baby anyway and certainly as with any dog never left alone
We had 2 dogs when my first was born they weren't old but we didn't totally shut them out we had gate in frontroom so if dc were in floor dogs were out but could still see in and not feel totally shut away etc
Only thing we did was make sure dogs were wormed and given flea prevention etc for health reasons and didn't let them lick faces even when dc were older
Also ask vet why gunky eyes etc as should really clear up

@OliviaPopeRules

you were wrong about claiming the dog isn't being locked away can't really be arsed with this but just to be clear I was NOT wrong, the op never talked about LOCKING the dog in a room as I already explained. You are using the word locked to make it seem more cruel and then treating me like I can't read. The op said the dog would remain in the conservatory and I believe I have said that a few times now.

Except you are wrong but sure whatever. Don't really understand why you can't see that whether the phrase is locking away, containing, restricted ect it's still forcing the dog to only be in one room away from the rest of the house. If you read the full thread you'd see that I am clearly not the only one suggesting it's really cruel nor am I the only one using the phrase locked away. But you go ahead and ignore that just because you struggle with comprehension and think treating a dog cruelly is OK.

Typical thread where what comes with partner is tolerated to get partner but once the relationship is established, he is expected to dispose or hide these inconveniences.

YABVU, not to mention selfish and wet.

Poor dog having to live with someone like you

This thread has made me so angry on his behalf.

Totally understand how you feel OP! However, it's the dog's home too, and your DH's. Babies don't need a sterile environment, but in your place I would definitely be trying to limit contact between baby and dog as much as possible. I hope DH is the one to clean/vacuum up after the dog all the time? I agree asking the vet about cross-contamination risks might put your mind at ease, or open your DH's eyes! Unfortunately 'dog people' never seem to see/understand how gross dogs actually are.

Unfortunately 'dog people' never seem to see/understand how gross dogs actually are.

Maybe because most of them aren't? If a dog is well cared for then they won't be. Only pet haters seem to be terrified of a few germs and think a baby needs a sterile environment.

Unfortunately 'dog people' never seem to see/understand how gross dogs actually are

Yeah, its so gross the way they help blind people live independent lives. So gross how they sniff out cancer and drugs for law enforcement and border control. So utterly gross how they rescue people on the highlands who are stuck in avalanches and deep snow. So gross how they risk their lives for their owners.

Dogs have done more good for humanity than your sorry ass ever has.

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter
Spot on.
Our Ddog is a PAT. She goes to psychiatric hospitals and helps at the scouts. It’s fab

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter

Unfortunately 'dog people' never seem to see/understand how gross dogs actually are

Yeah, its so gross the way they help blind people live independent lives. So gross how they sniff out cancer and drugs for law enforcement and border control. So utterly gross how they rescue people on the highlands who are stuck in avalanches and deep snow. So gross how they risk their lives for their owners.

Dogs have done more good for humanity than your sorry ass ever has.

Well said and spot on! I'd love to see what all the dog haters response to this post is. I'm gonna guess they won't have one.

I’ve no dogs but have 4 cats and my elder female constantly has gunky eyes and has horrible flare ups of dandruff from dermatitis. I was told to rehome all of my cats by a somewhat overzealous HV when I had my twins (won’t go into detail as it will turn into a rant!).

I didn’t, I don’t limit where they can go except for my twins bedroom at night, otherwise they’re free to go where they please. My twins were premature and low birth weight, DD was on oxygen when she first came home from NICU.

They’re now healthy robust 2.5 yo and have never become ill as a result of any of the cats, even the one with chronic conjunctivitis and dermatitis. Just tell your DP that when baby comes he will be in charge of cleaning up after the dog and to keep on top of cleaning the dogs eyes. Any pet is a responsibility and I’d only ever say rehome if you fear they are actually a danger because of violent behaviour.

What sort of diet is your dog on? One of my dogs has skin allergies due to her diet so she can only be fed hypoallergenic food. You can buy it from most pet stores, maybe trial the dog on this food for a while and see if it improves the skin problem and regular visits to a dog salon will limit hair shedding and keep the dog clean. I have three children one who is only a toddler and two dogs one of which sheds loads and honestly it hasn’t harmed any of my kids. Your baby will be fine.

OP rather than changing vet, ask for a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist. It’s better to get the best treatment you can given the situation.

@LassoOfTruth

Totally understand how you feel OP! However, it's the dog's home too, and your DH's. Babies don't need a sterile environment, but in your place I would definitely be trying to limit contact between baby and dog as much as possible. I hope DH is the one to clean/vacuum up after the dog all the time? I agree asking the vet about cross-contamination risks might put your mind at ease, or open your DH's eyes! Unfortunately 'dog people' never seem to see/understand how gross dogs actually are.

Yeah, dogs are awful aren't they? The way they do the following is just disgusting.

• allow blind and deaf people to live independently by helping them cross roads and get around without having a carer.
• allow disabled people to live independently by opening washing machines, pressing buttons, opening/closing doors, putting washing in the machine or laundry basket etc.
• sniffing out things like diabetes or sensing epileptic fits in people so that they're alerted in advance of any problems.
• sniffing out diseases like cancer, and, more recently, sniffing out the coronavirus in people.
• sniffing out drugs and preventing illegal importations into our country.
• working on farms to help farmers provide our food.
• working as emotional support dogs for people with things like ASD or PTSD.
• working with the police or in the army, helping to catch criminals, fight crimes and protect our country.

But no, they're just awful, "gross" creatures who serve no purpose whatsoever

That's horrible. Shut it away until it dies. You're not going to catch anything from dog hair so dont try to mask that you just dont like the dog. Hope your husband doesn't give in to you and keeps treating his dog with love and respect.

OP could you have anxiety?