Dog Allergies

mtbazz · Puppy Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 37

Well, I wasnt sure at first, but it is now becoming apparent that my girlfriend of 3 years may be allergic to my weim puppy.

We dont live together full time, as she works and owns a home two hours away, but we are together on the weekends, and she is usually at my place for one week out of the month.

Prior to the puppies arrival, everything was fine, but after her arrival, whenver my GF is at my place for a few hours she gets very congested, sneezy, etc...same as when I go to her place with the puppy. It is not a mild allergy at all either, but severe congestion, constant sneezing, tightness in the throat, etc.

I keep a very clean place, and am always vacuming and dusting in an attempt to keep the dander down.

Shes tried all types of meds, none seem to help. Any suggestions? Ive read about shampoos for the dog, do these really work?

Mommy2Chance · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject:

I have the same problem with my puppy who's 4 months. At first everything was fine but after about 2 weeks after we brought him home I started getting itchy on my arms and neck and break out with a rash there. I would go to work by the end of the day I was fine. Go home and 2 minutes after touching chance I was red and itchy where ever I touched him or if he licks my face forget it. I dont have any solution for it and I've just decided not to use any medicine and hope my body works it out on its own as I get use to living with him since getting rid of him is not an option. He's my baby. It has actually gotten better the break out are growing further apart and there not as bad when they do come. Sorry I dont have any answers for you. I never thought I would have this problem cause their coat is so short but I guess like you say its the dander or something.

mtbazz · Puppy Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 37

From what I have read it is the dander that causes the problems and not the hair....

My s.o. is coming down tonight for the weekend, so we will see how well that goes...getting rid of either one (the gf or the puppy), isnt really an option for me, but if I am not able to resolve her allergy issue with the dog Im not sure what happens next....She is supposed to sell her house and move in to my place once the market stabilizes..

greydogs · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject:

zyrtec????

i am going to try that when i visit my friend who has 2 cats that make me very allergic (sneezing and asthma).

mtbazz · Puppy Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 37

Unfortunately all the meds she has tried has not helped....with the exception of benadryl, which has the unpleasent side effect of putting her to sleep....

I have seasonal allergies that affect me the same way....constant congestion, coughing, constant sneezing etc...I actually miss work because of them...and nothing at all helps...Ive tried it all....

Its pretty screwed up. The puppy really likes her and she loves the puppy..funny thing is she had dogs as a kid (20 years ago) and didnt have any issues back than.

greydogs · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject:

have you tried acupuncture?

that made an incredible difference for me. i hardly ever need the inhaler, which i needed all the time before treatment.

the interesting part is , is that i went in for help with an injury, but since acupuncture re-establishes the balance in your whole body, it fixed the asthma.

the only place where it really acts up, is when i visit my overseas friend with the cats. i usually stay at another friend's house, and i am fine with that cat, who can even sleep in the same room without causing me to feel miserable.

GailB · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Benadryl will take the symptoms away but tiredness does come with it...If she takes a claritin before hand, before she comes to your house it should help with preventing the allergy from getting full blown....

It is the dander that triggers allergic reactions but if you mist your dog down once a week with distilled water this helps in keeping the dander down.

Good luck,I hope all goes well and this helps....

2kids2weims · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

Part of the problem is the absence from the irritant I think. I have allergies to most dogs, but weims are tolerable (no respiratory symptoms). I notice I'm itchy again when I return to my pups after a week at a conference. It takes several days to resolve, then I'm fine.

I agree with dosing before she gets to your house to minimize the problem. What about a prescription allergy nasal spray? Those usually have less severe side effects. Ask the doctor for a sample.

I'm convinced it helps to take Omega 3 fish oil too, but I have no scientific proof. I give it to my dogs too - an itchy dry skinned dog can create more dander!!!

peppernaei · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

I have a friend who has three cats and an out of town boyfriend who's allergic - this is her procedure which came from her doctor

* run a stand alone air filter in the apartment at all times washing the filter weekly.
* never let the cats in the bedroom and she has little air filters (they look like cotton mats) on the heating ducks in there.
* bush the cats daily (on her balcony), spray them with Nature's Miracle Dander remover and vacuum but since she doesn't have a hepa filter vacuum she doesn't do it the day he arrives. The doc said this makes too much stuff fly around.
* feed the cats an omega supplement (advise from vet).
* rotate antihistamines (claritin, aerius, reactine) because it seems like they don't work if he sticks to one too long.

Many of our friends think she's batty but she is determined to keep her cats.