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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Alleegic to my rescue dog

8 replies

Ihavepixies · 18/09/2020 15:07

I never knew I had a dog allergy before adopting him. First few weeks I had no symptoms at all but what started with itchy eyes has gradually been getting worse day by day. General itchiness and stuffy nose is the mild bit, then there is the wheezing and burning pain in my chest like I have run a marathon. I have never had asthma either! But I'm guessing this is it? I have had on off chest tightness and some episodes of qyite bad wheezing the last week or so but last night I woke at 3am with my nose blocked and also felt like I could hardly breath, coughing and coughing and unable to talk to dh as I was so breathless with a very audible high pitched wheeze which was worse when I breathed in. I had to take an antihistamine and use my ds' reliever inhaler and sit in the garden for 40 minutes before I felt like I could breath clearly. My Ds has had hayfever symptoms and some mild asthma symptoms too and also my dh who has had dogs all his life and has NO allergies etc has been feeling a bit chesty and itchy too which seems bizarre. I've now moved him to the conservatory for most of the time but I really want a dog to cuddle as well as walk and so does the dog! I don't like seperating him away. He is very much a dog used to being close to owners all the time, I can't imagine him happy being kept out of the family rooms. My dcs will be devastated to lose their new dog, ds is even doing more homework now he can sit stroking the dog and reading to him, but I'm even more sorry for the dog as he has quite behavioural problems (but excellent with children) and we've been making really good progress until now building his social skills and impulse control. He still has some way to go and he has already had multiple rehomings break down before us because of his lack of socialisation etc. I'm worried what will happen to him and where he will end up. I just feel if not for the allergies we would have given him stability. I feel I've failed him, especially as he seems to have bonded to me most of all and follows me everywhere. I do believe it is the dog as if I have been away from him and then he sits next to me and I stroke him the symptoms start up, even if I'm stroking him outdoors, also in the car. When the dog isn't around I'm fine, plus antihistamines do help the wheezing. I have wooden floors downstairs and he doesn't go in the bedroom, I have tried petalcleanse which seemed to make it worse, it seems to make him produce grease, his hair becomes stiff and smells even more dog-like than usual and my symptoms increase. I grew up in a house full of lhasa apsos, even now my parents' lhasa does not cause symptoms when I stay there. On the other hand I realise my friend's labrador may be to blame for my wheezing not their cats! Is it possible there is something about some dogs that makes them more allergenic? Or is this likely to happen with any dog given sufficient time and exposure? Also, am I going to psychologically damage the dog by rehoming him AGAIN when he has formed an attachment? What is likely to be the emotional impact on the children? One did say reassuringly that they would rather have me than the dog if they had to choose, not sure about the others though!

OP posts:
Ihavepixies · 18/09/2020 15:08

Well that's great start, a typo in my title!

OP posts:
PollyRoulson · 18/09/2020 16:00

Really sorry to hear this you poor thing. I have no idea about allergies.

However no you will not psychologically damage the dog by rehoming him again. He has had a good time with you so no reason for any stress.

Did you get him from a rescue centre? In which case you need to contact them asap to sort out his future.

DilysMoon · 18/09/2020 18:53

I'm not sure about the allergy side of it but have you considered a Covid test? The coughing and burning chest etc would concern me. Sorry if that sounds a bit dramatic!

Baybetterdays · 19/09/2020 00:10

I’d be tempted to treat myself not the dog, and if it doesn’t work in a week or so, rehome him fast. Piriton helps for my visitors who have this.

spiderlight · 20/09/2020 13:16

You can get a product called Petal Cleanse which neutralises allergens from dogs' coats - it really works as well. we use it on our dog before visiting FIL and a friend who was severely allergic to cats now has three with no problems at all just from using it on them.

Glitters100 · 20/09/2020 13:22

What dog breed is he?

It is possible to be allergic to certain types as I’ve found this to be the case, could he sleep in an out building with heating so he’s not in the house?

Or if you rehome him, don’t feel bad as you’ve given him a nice home, View it as if you’ve fostered him...we’re currently looking into getting a rescue dog and it’s allergies that we need to keep in mind so will need to do a few weeks as a tester run to see how we go.

Stresseddogmum · 20/09/2020 14:11

What breed is he OP? I get asthma from labs and JRT plus likely others I haven’t identified yet. If it is asthma I’m sorry but it won’t go away and it is really horrid to live with. I think you need to speak to the rescue unfortunately, it is not your fault so don’t feel guilty.

Sunnydaysstillhere · 21/09/2020 10:10

I am allergic but have 4 ddogs!! Lots of handwashing and antihistamines.. Ddog baths and brushing..

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