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.

You are the OP's personal cheerleader, we get it. just don't like seeing people being bullied, I'm no-ones saviour. Anyway the op has taken some advice and is gone now so this is rather pointless.

Bloody hell, you already have the lounge and upstairs as dog free areas and now you want to keep it out of the open plan kitchen/diner/lounge as well! Poor dog.

Dogs need and want to be with their family. Your DH sounds like a good bloke

and read the papers and you will see where babies have been killed by dogs. Someones personal experience doesn't give you a balanced view. Of course the op knows that for the vast vast majority of household with kids and dogs there will be no issues but that doesn't really help her particular situation.

Oh FFS.

Now OP has an unhygienic killer dog on her hands.

What's wrong with you? Give the poor dog some comfort in his/her old age, you'll get old and smelly one day too.

Congrats on your pregnancy! I completely get your worry especially after having precious miscarriages (so sorry ) but my little dog is 15, my children are aged 10, 8 and 6 and my dog also suffers from terrible eyes (also gunky) she also has reoccurring skin problems etc but please relax the dog wont be near your baby if it is a senior (a puppy is a different matter lol) our dog mostly sleeps and has no interest in the children. Just wash your hands after petting the dog and tell your hubby to do the same. Worry about it when your baby is at the crawling stage and may happily grab poor dog by the hair and try and kiss its face but for now you are good!

I am a dog person so completely understand both sides, your hubby's dog is his family too, however I was also very anxious about germs etc while pregnant and so can completely understand your worries.

Now OP has an unhygienic killer dog on her hands.

expect that is not what I said I was responding to another post - READ the post!

@OliviaPopeRules

GreytExpectations Well seeing as you were so concerned with the ops use if it I assumed you would be literal and not using a figure of speech! As I have said several times that is not really the point of my posts but you are choosing to ignore how vitriolic posters have been to the op.

So referring to a child as he/she is literal... You really are making yourself sound worse because you are trying too hard to make a point. I responded to the rest of your post, you are being the OP's personal cheerleader and sticking up for her. Well bully for you. Did you want a well done pat on the back for it? Maybe the OP shouldn't refer to a human as it and suggest a dog be kept in a cruel situation if she didn't want a few harsh replies.

poor dog - sorry but you are being really unfair on this poor creature - its part of the family and the dog should have the run of the house pets are family too!

So @OliviaPopeRules you were wrong about claiming the dog isn't being locked away in one room? Maybe you should consider reading the OP's full post before accusing other posters are being wrong with their correct interpretation

Sorry but I think YABU. The dog isn't unhygienic, he is just old and has unsightly skin and hair. His eye problems are being sorted with medication, if I it isn't working go back to the vet and get different medication. The dog is part of the family too, it is not fair to lock him out of most of the house! Make sure you practise good hygiene like you would with any pet, wash hands before feeding baby etc and encourage your stepchild to wash hands regularly too

YABU. It's not fair on an old dog to suddenly change the rules

Can you not get a robo hoover/mop? You can set them to run several times a day. They're a godsend for keeping floors clean and tidy

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.

Maybe one of the nasty keyboard warriors here wants to adopt the mangy dog?

Research has shown that homes which have a dog have the healthiest, ie most diverse, microbiomes. This means there's a greater variety of bacteria etc there, all of which are vital to our (human) immune systems and general health. This means you will help your children to develop healthier digestive and immune systems themselves.
It doesn't seem that the dog's ailments are risky to humans, given that the dog has had these for some time and not transmitted anything to you. But go to a vet (a different one) and ask all the questions you need to ask, see if there are other treatments, etc. Do not attempt to wrap your baby in a cleansed environment that will only damage their long-term health.

YABU. The dog was already there, as was your stepchild. It’s cruel to change now where the dog can go

We have always had dogs, with no issues

Oh Op! Sorry you've had some shitty replies. I think the dog is probably a good thing for your baby but we all have our different views and just dont take people's views too personally. Good luck with everything. Honestly think the dog is probably an immunity booster xxx

You definitely need to try a different vet. It sounds like it could be allergies, but regardless of what it is, the vet isnt getting to the bottom of it. Maybe ask for recommendations in your local area. Also agree with the person who suggested different food as it does have a massive impact if it isnt agreeing with them.

I realise it must be hard to live with an animal that you wouldn't of chosen for yourself, but to the dog his family and home are literally his entire world, please dont make it smaller for him by keeping him out of rooms and away from you all. Especially at old age.

I hope you can get the dog sorted to make life better for you all.

Take the dog to a different vet and make sure they look after him properly poor thing he sounds like he's feeling very rough bless him and just step up the housework once you have the baby or get a cleaner. X

YABU

poor dog, sounds like he needs additional medical attention from another vet. pushed aside, when old is cruel for a loyal pet. poor "it".

Would make life easier and it's going to die at some point.

That is cold. FFS!

@fluffyslippersplease Calling a child “it” is despicable. You say you didn’t want to be outing?? You could have said husband’s dc, or your dsc, but no you choose to refer to that poor child as “IT”!

I’m sure you won’t be happy if anyone in your child’s life starts to refer to them as IT!

Definitely get back to vet - skin issues often need a lot of time and treatment. Consider asking for a dermatology referral or seeking a second opinion if you don't feel like you're getting anywhere.
There's unlikely to be anything zoonotic that your baby could catch unless the dog has undiagnosed mites (scabies) but if your vet has worked up the skin problem properly, they would have ruled this out.

I can understand your fear, especially after 4 mcs - you are afraid of everything and want to prevent any chance of things going bad. Did you consider that perhaps its your fears and need to establish control which, lets be honest, is the last thing a pregnant woman really has, is making you see dog's issues as a bigger problem than you otherwise would? I went through similar and now have a baby growing up with 2 dogs, 2 cats and a parrot. She didn't even have a sniffle so far.

To already good advice to look into the food for skin problems, I'd add salmon oil. Our dog was shedding a lot and had dry skin at one point and salmon oil in her food sorted that out. With eyes, I agree - look for another vet but if it does turn out that it is chronic and not much can be done to cure it - perhaps some kind of an arrangement with DH (him cleaning dog's eyes every few hours) would make you feel a bit more comfortable?

What kind of dog is it?

The dog wont do you any harm. We all get old eventually.
once baby is born you will need to keep an eye on the dog if baby is on a playmat or in baby bouncer etc but other than that it will be fine.
Tbh I think its a really good sign that your dh cares for his elderly dog so well, hopefully it means you and your child should be well looked after too!.