Interesting Allergy question--any ideas?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I just got off the phone with a fellow who is hoping to buy one of Lyric's pups--he has an interesting allergy and I am hoping that others may have some suggestions or advice about this.

He is allergic to the saliva of the dog and has been hoping that doodles are hypoallergenic (Don't worry--I already set him straight on that one!) He has bigger hopes because he met one of Lyric's pup from her last litter and had no reaction to her. He is also non-reactive to his brother's bulldog, who sheds, but apparently, his saliva is not a problem, nor is the saliva of a few other shedding dogs he has met.

These pups are half-sibs to the pup he met--he is coming in a few weeks to meet Lyric and the pups (and needs to stay away from my other two dogs) and is hoping that there will be no reaction--however, I am thinking that he may be fine with one pup and will react to another--there is no guarantee that all the pups are the same with regards to the allergens in their saliva--and just because they are Lyric's kids, they could still vary, right?

Then I had another thought--a wild one, but worth thinking about--what if it is the food the dog eats that causes the issue? He did mention that there are some foods, most notably chocolate, that he is allergic to. I was thinking that the factor could be whether or not the dog is on grain free food--I know Sophie, the doodle he has not reacted to, is on grain-free food. And his brother feeds the bulldog Royal Canin (also grain free?) 

Any thoughts and is anyone else out there allergic to dog saliva?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

An allergic contact dermatitis to dogs is very rare. Typically, contact dermatitis involves plants such as poison ivy, chemicals, and metals like nickel. Dog allergies usually involve an allergic response from inhaling the proteins in the dog's dander or saliva. I could hardly find any information on a contact allergy caused by dogs, but did find this; it's not very scientific, but the scientific sites don't mention dogs or other animals in connection with contact dermatitis at all:http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/skin-...

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks---that is helpful! I will send it on..

[Shari Becker]

I would warn the man that dog allergies are unpredictable, and that if you have allergies, and you get a dog, you will have some allergies even if you get a non shedding dog, and even you don't react to the saliva initially. I have allergies. We bought a 70% poodle doodle, and I get allergies from her depending on what else is going on in my environment. Sometimes it's saliva hives, sometimes it's itchy eyes, sometimes it's a tiny bit of wheezing. When she was a puppy (in spring when I have no allergies), I put her to my face and I let her lick me. I was perfect. But when hayfever kicked in, my allergies spiked horribly. The fur also carries dander making it worse. Then hayfever ended, the allergies let up completely. Now that the heat in our home is on, my allergies kicked back up. Of course, I'm silly, I let her snuggle very close to my face because she's so cute and lovable. We know lots of families with allergies and dogs of various breeds. If the allergies are not severe, the allergic person finds ways to make it work. (Don't get too close to your face, wash your hands before touching your eyes or nose after petting the dog, bathe the dog weekly.) As much as I love my doodle (I didn't want a small purse dog. :-)), The smaller dogs, like shih tzus and maltese, seem to be even less allergenic. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks so much for sharing that Shari--I will pass it on.