Hi everyone!!! I hope someone can help me!!!! My husband is VERY allergic to dogs. When we went to the breeders home to pick up our puppy, the breeder mentioned that maybe it is the shampoo that he is actually allergic to??? Has anyone heard of this? His allergies were non existant for the first week with our puppy, but once we gave her a bath with the puppy shampoo he started getting mild allergic reactions to her. His allergies are by no means what they usually are with dogs, so I think he will be ok. I emailed the breeder to see what kind of shampoo she used on our puppy (we got her a week ago) and she said she doesn't remember!!!! So - I can't go buy that!
I'm wondering if anyone else has heard of this, and if anyone else is allergic to dogs and what kind of shampoo you use.
Well I have NOT heard of that, but I guess that could make sense?? There are allergen (or dander) reducing dog shampoos you can use...maybe try that? I have severe allergies and have two doodles (mine are F3's though - what are yours?) I still use allergen reducing shampoo anyway..I figure it could help still?? I don't know exactly what it is called but I get it at Petsmart. I have also been using the brand at PetLand and it smells JUST LIKE baby shampoo - I have not had any problems using that either.
Good luck...also...when I got my first doodle, my allergies did act up for a few weeks...I do think a body still has to get "used to" a dog (a body with allergies I mean). I think a body builds up it's immunities to a certain dog. I'm no doctor, but I've had severe allergies all my life. I've also always had a dog.
Again, good luck and let me know how it works out!!
Permalink Reply by Kim on September 24, 2008 at 5:21am
Our puppy is an F1B. Thanks for the info - I will look for the allergen reducing shampoo. I did get Hypo-allergenic shampoo but haven't tried it yet (and I think it's hypo-allergenic for the dogs skin - not my husbands!!!)
Hopefully my husbands allergies will slow down like yours did!!!
Can I ask what kind of symptoms your husband is experiencing because I have also been having what I can only assume is allergy symptoms, as well. And it all started about the time my Kachi's coat really started to get thick, and he began to shed some. I have NEVER been allergic to any animals, but I was asthmatic as a child. I am heartbroken to think I may be allergic to my puppy!
Permalink Reply by Kim on September 24, 2008 at 5:18am
My husbands allergy symptoms are: Hives up his arms & neck, wheezing, his nose gets stuffy... Hopefully he will grow an immunity to our puppy!!! We are already in love with her!
Oh, I do hope he builds an immunity as well! I don't have the hives, but I certainly have the wheezing, and the stuffy nose that comes & goes! I know how hard this must be! My husband and I are hopelessly in love with our doodle as well. Best of luck to you.
Permalink Reply by Kim on September 25, 2008 at 6:09am
My husband's allergies are mild compared to what other dogs cause him - but he will live with it! We are already completely in love with her and could never think about rehome!!! She's already a HUGE part of everything we do and we love it!
Hi Kim, I really feel for your husband as a fellow lifetime allergy and asthma sufferer. Is your husband allergic to other things? Has he reacted to soap products, shampoos etc., before? The reason I ask is I am allergic to lots of stuff, including some shampoos... also to grass, pollen, dust, etc... and this means that whatever me or my family members get into outside gets on them, their clothes and particularily their hair can be a problem I usually have them pretty much strip in the laundry room and if my husband has been doing something like mowing the lawn or playing with the neighborhood cats (argh!) I encourage him to take a shower right away. I wear a hat a lot during pollen season to keep pollen out of my thick hair, and take lots of showers and our washing machine pretty much goes non-stop. I thought about this before getting Lily, because I figure she'll be bringing stuff in the house too. I got some puppy wipes, (like baby wipes, but designed for dog coats, and after she's been outside in all its glory I wipe her down with it... or, when I ran out of them I just took a damp towel and did the same thing, and put it right in the washer. I know this is a big pain in the rear, but understanding this changed my life... pollen seasons are much more bearable. If only all those allergens were a little more visible to the naked eye and we could easily figure out what we're reacting to. I'm sorry if this doesn't apply to your husband, but I hope it helps! Margo
Permalink Reply by Kim on October 6, 2008 at 8:29am
Hi Margo and thank you for your reply!!! He has some mild allergies to pollen, but nothing major. His allergies to our dog have slowed down. He is not allergic to her shampoo as we have tried using his on her. We have figured out that he is allergic to her saliva, it is only when she licks him that he has hives. He is doing much better now though. We purchased an Air Purifier and we can really tell when it is turned off, or if we are in the car, his allergies start acting up (we can't wait for our 5 hour trip to a wedding this weekend!!!) Maybe they have air purifiers for cars???!!! We are slowly learning!