Help! Allergic to this ONE dog?!

[FatBottomedGurl]

We are a family of dog lovers. We have owned dogs in the past. Extended family have loads of dogs, all breeds, shapes and sizes. We also own cats.
So, collected our puppy on Wednesday. Rescue from Spain. My son is walking around with a moon face. We are really hoping it's actually hay-fever (he does suffer but not this bad for a good long while) , but I'm really concerned it's the dog.
I'm hoping that once we bathe the dog it may help (not bathing right away so we can build some trust).
Allergy tablets not having much of an effect, sadly.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it possible that somehow, for no reason at all, my son could be allergic to this ONE dog? Or am I panicking over nothing and it will be hay-fever All advice or suggestions welcome.

[Tadpolesandfroglets]

Hi, I’m allergic to one of my cats and not the other, bizarrely, so it can happen. It’s to do with the amount of dander they produce I think and some do more than others. Bathing the dog regularly will help and keeping him out of your som’s room etc. I also got an air purifier which helps.

[TW2013]

Could it be a product on the dog? One of my dc swells up with certain flea treatments on the cat. Always fun when asked about allergies at the doctors! Can you find out from the rescue agency which products have been used?

[FatBottomedGurl]

Thanks both. I will look into air purifiers this morning, definitley worth a try.
Also an interesting theory about potential treatments she may have had. I had considered it may have been some strong, exotic, Spanish pollen in her fur, hoping a bath will help.
I am hoping I can find a solution. The worry of this is taking the joy out of the pups first few days here.

[vanillandhoney]

Yes, it's totally possible.

My mum is asthmatic but doesn't react at all to my beagle, yet her friend has golden retrievers and they always set her off!

[FatBottomedGurl]

@vanillahoney Thanks. That would be incredibly unfortunate.

Not sure what the answer is if he does turn out to be allergic to the dog. Does it improve with time? Honestly, we have had everything from shelties (fluffyyyy), boxers, mastiffs, terriers, labs, spaniels.... Never an inkling of an allergy. Now we have this beautiful blonde mutt and his eyes are like pee holes in the snow Gaah!

[vanillandhoney]

I think it depends. I know some people on here have been allergic and have been fine over time, but others remain allergic despite trying antihistamines and regularly washing/brushing the dog.

I suppose the only thing you can do is give it time and see if things improve! It must be really hard though

[Andiwilltrytofixyou]

When ever I have a new dog I'm always allergic initially. Few months of antihistamines and washing my hands when I've touched them and I seem to build up a tolerance.

The main think that helps me cope is not touching my face after I've stroked them (without washing my hands).

On a side note my hayfever is rampant at the moment so could be coincidence for your son.

[FatBottomedGurl]

@Andiwilltrytofixyou That's very reassuring, on both counts. Thankyou.
Plan is to bathe her on Monday and give it a week or two. If no improvement I will order an air purifier. Fingers crossed!

[namesnamesnamesnames]

I hope it's not the dog. I have to ask, how have you had so many dogs? We had dogs growing up, one was quite old when I was born and died a few years later, we had a break, then about 5 years later had another. I can't imagine how, unless you still have a number of them, you have had so many! I'm not questioning the fact, justjust confused and curious.

[FatBottomedGurl]

@namesnamesnameanames Oh not us directly, but the extended family in general. Therefore my son has had plenty cuddles and overnights with all of those breeds and never had any problems. Our own family have had boxers & a mastiff. Gran 1 has a sheltie, gran 2 has a terrier, granda had a spaniel, auntie has boxers. We really do love dogs .

[midnightstar66]

It could be the one dog - but I did read about a pollen bomb arriving last week and causing havoc for hay fever sufferers so hang fire.

[40somethingJBJ]

I’ve had dogs all my life, looked after various friends dogs etc and never been allergic to one (I’m hideously allergic to cats however), but my neighbour has a cocker spaniel pup and my eyes swell up, nose runs and skin comes up in itchy welts every time I touch her. It’s bizarre!

[FatBottomedGurl]

I can update that we suspect it is hay-fever. We have had some time periods over the days where his eyes go super puffy, but if we tell my son to stay indoors, (where the dog often is), it seems to calm down. Fingers crossed!