Severe dog allergy and asthma, considering whether we need to rehome

[LancashireRunningGirl]

Hi I wondered if anyone can offer any advice please regarding dog allergies. I haven't been well for the past 9 months - thought initially it was my severe asthma not well controlled but recent blood tests have revealed I have a severe dog allergy. This is probably playing a big part in the breathing problems I have been suffering from along with my severe asthma. I have had all sorts of tests and in the next couple of weeks seeing a consultant at our local hospital about my lungs. We do have a dog (a very hairy, constantly shedding one) - I have always said there is no way I would get rid of him but a couple of nights ago I had a bad asthma attack 10-15 minutes after playing with him which was very scary. Just wondered if people had any thoughts or if you have had to re-home a much loved dog how did you cope. I keep crying my eyes out at the thought of having to re-home him. Thank you :)

You have my sympathy. No animal is worth sacrificing your health for.

I re-homed my kitten, who almost killed me, bless him.

Christ, i felt dreadful about it. I have a cold, black and cynical heart, but i still shed a tear about giving him up.
A friend was going to have a kitten from the same litter, so he also took my kitten.

And he’s still going strong! 💪

In your circumstances, I would definitely re home. Your health comes first, no judgement.

I’m really sorry OP, but I don’t think you’ve much choice here.
DC is allergic to pets too (and has asthma) and it’s restrictive. It makes it difficult to visit family who have pets sometimes. We can’t get a dog, there’s just no way.

Dogs in the home can prevent the onset of asthma, but this is usually something that helps young children- it is true allergies can spontaneously get better, but not common-yes, a doctor did tell me that. There are different medications so I would seek proper medical advice.
There was something you could give cats that helped owners with allergies (forget what but you could google) so maybe a doctor can tell you whether the same is true for dogs?

The meds only work to a certain extent ime.
Doctor (ie the consultant allergist) recommended not getting a dog in our case anyway, though he said the severity of the reaction can vary depending on the dog and the person. Hypoallergenic breeds are a myth btw.

Oh god, that would break my heart 💔
If antihistamines aren't touching it, then I don't see what choice you've got, but to rehome. You can't take chances with asthma

Hi thank you for yourcreply. Sorry you had to re-home your kitten. Glad to hear he is doing well. I feel like such a bad person but it is looking like it's the only option !

Definitely not a bad person at all. Asthma attacks can be very scary and for good reason. If you’ve explored all of the options I would rehome.

We had Guinea Pigs once and I couldn’t understand why my breathing had deteriorated so much. Thought I was doomed to spend every winter struggling to breathe. Turned out to be those hairy little things. Once they’d died I could breathe properly again.

You’re much more valuable than any dog, i can assure you of that.
Especially where your health is concerned.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation OP. I sadly have don't think you have any choice here. You couldn't have predicted it and it doesn't make you a bad person/owner. Realistically what's the alternative - you end up in hospital multiple times? Or you become one of those sad asthma fatalities? What you can do though is to decide what rehoming charity you think would be best for your boy, whether that be a local one, a breed specific one or one of the larger known ones. Some charities also offer to advertise through them but the dog stays in your own home until a match - but that may not suit because of your asthma. Also as a word of reassurance, I got a big hairy dog from a rescue who just died at age nearly 14. Like all rescues he took a while to settle initially but had a very happy life in his second home. By giving your boy a loving home you've set him up for life, he'll carry that with him and have a happy life because of the time, effort and love you've given him.

You have to get rid of the dog OP. People DIE from asthma attacks and your health and ability to breathe are more important than anything else. FWIW my sibling had the same issue - much loved dog - but he had to get rid of it. It was just too great a risk to his health and he lives alone, so if he'd had an asthma attack no one was going to find him. It was devastating to him, but in the end he was pragmatic about the decision, since it had been made for him

It is breaking my heart, don't think I will be able to cope with re-homing him.
I take double antihistamines every day along with steroid inhaler and Montelukast and it isn't helping!!
Think I am just putting off the inevitable.

Oh wow guinea pigs - glad you are able to breathe properly again.

I have explored all options just keep putting it off !!

What sort of ddog? Would a regular trip to the groomers /regularly baths help? Allergic here but until last year had 4 ddogs including a very hairy breed for over a decade . Lots of hand washing /bedding washing (theirs).
Anti histamines every day for dd and me most days.

Thank you so much for your lovely reply, made me cry - again. Our boy is a rescue himself so I think initially I would have to get back in touch with that rescue as they are meant to offer support for the life of the dog - I think.
I love that you had a big, hairy dog too :)

He is a rescue so not sure of breed - probably a mixture of lots. I have had lots of help from a local groomer and am equipped with all sorts of tools recommended by her and bathing stuff.
I think I am really suffering with having severe asthma to start with so the dog allergy on top my body just cannot cope. My allergy blood tests have just come back and my levels are 65 times what they should be for dog allergy !!

Thank you for replying - yes I am realising that I need to rehome just struggling like crazy with doing it. My breathing is getting worse - am seeing a consultant this week about my lungs so if she advises it (am sure she will) I must start the ball rolling to actually do it.

It's been 9 months and your health hasn't improved so you probably don't have a choice but to rehome. It's heartbreaking for you but I'm sure you'll find a lovely new family for your dog, hopefully they'll let you know how he's getting on.

We found out my son had a cat allergy after we got a cat. However with anti-histamines his symptoms improved after a few months so it can happen but at 9 months it doesn't look like things will change.

Having seen kids end up in intensive care on ventilators due to asthma attacks brought on by pet allergies, I really don’t think you have a choice. I normally believe pets are for life, but not if it may kill you. How heartbreaking.

Thank you for replying. Yes I take 2 x antishistamies daily along with my steroid inhalers and Montelukast for asthma/allergies. I have been putting it off but really need to just do it I think.

Oh gosh that is awful - I think I have just been hoping it will improve but it hasnt. I really need to take it seriously and start the ball rolling regarding rehoming him. Thank you for replying.

When we rehomed our dog he had been given back to the rescue after a year because one of his previous adopters developed an allergy. There was no judgement on the part of the rescue (or us) and he’s had a very happy home with us for the last 4 years. We saw it as a positive that he had lived in a home before and had some training.

@LancashireRunningGirl I know you've said you'll return him to the rescue centre which is of course the right thing to do in the circumstances. But just in case you're tempted, please don't advertise him online or give him to some "nice" but virtual stranger. There are some very evil but utterly convincing people out there who will gladly take him off your hands.

Thanks so much for your kind comments. I hadn't thought of it from a training point of view. I have stopped him from pulling like a train (only pulls occasionally now) and also worked really hard on his recall.

Well done for rescuing - I have always rescued and never bought puppies. How lovely of you to give him another chance and so pleased he is happy with you :)

I would absolutely never do that - he will definitely be re-homed through the proper channels so that I know he is safe.