This is just my worst fear......

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

I am so very upset and worried right now. About a month and a half ago we brought home our delightful, wonderful, amazing little Irish Terrier pup. We waited for this little pup for a full year after the tragic loss of our beloved Chessie to cancer (an event which was devastating for my whole family, meaning my husband, myself, and our 6 year old). Welcoming this new little dog has opened our hearts again, ya know?

Well, about 3 weeks ago I got a horrible chest infection. I was on antibiotics, and when it cleareded up it appeared that the infection had activated my asthma. I was only diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago (adult onset) and it had NEVER been a problem like this before - I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without coughing until I vomited. I mean, it has been awful.

So, today I finally faced my worst fear, which is that this is related to the new puppy. I am taking both oral and inhaled steroids, and inhaled bronchodilators, just in order to be somewhat normal. Next week I go for blood testing to see if I am allergic to the puppy (or at least allergic enough for this to be causing the asthma issues). I always knew I was *slightly* allergic to our other dog, but because it never mainfested in this way I never ever considered that this could happen.

I don't know what will happen if I am having asthma attacks because of the pup. We already adore her so much, and having her here has helped my daughter to start healing from the loss of our other dog - I can't imagine telling her that we have to return the pup to the breeder. I can't even see myself doing it, I love this little dog....

Returning her would be an absolute last resort - if we can control my asthma with drugs so that I can at least be tolerably normal then I will NOT even consider returning her - but even the prospect of it upsets me so much. I still haven't really gotten over losing our Chessie but to lose another dog because of this....it just makes me cry.

Thanks for reading - I know other dog lovers will understand this in a way other "regular" people may not.

 

[SummerRiot]

aww thats sooo sad. It will definatley be hard IF you do have to return her, but your not at a complete loss from it. There are non-allergenic dogs out there for you!
I know you can never replace something like a puppy/dog, but there are alternatives

Hopefully this is getting caused by something else@

 

[yuckaduck]

I am so sorry for you and your pup. I hope you find it is not related but if it is you have to do what is right for both of you and we will support you here.

 

[Fran27]

I've been allergic to dogs and cats since I was 6, I have asthma too and it's pretty severe, but with meds I feel good enough to have pets. Of course, my docs have all advised me to get rid of the pets, but it's just not an option! Honestly, it's possible to live with dogs with allergies in my opinion, but yes it depends on how severe your asthma it. I'm on advair 500mg twice a day and zyrtec once a day, and it's manageable.

 

[EliNHunter]

Your Chessie meaning a Cheasapeke Bay(sp) ? And the terrier is giving allergies but your other didn't? That's odd. I thought terriers were the better hypo-allergenic of the species. I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through...

 

[bridey_01]

That sounds terrible. I know how hard it can be to give up a dog, they have such sad eyes as if they know exactly what is happening. I still have nightmares about someone taking my kelpie and she screaming as she is driven away. Its terrible.
I certainly hope it can be controlled well enough for you to keep your puppy, and try to ignore the "normal" people who say "It's just a dog!"

 

[Twilight]

awww im so sorry for you

But i have to say please make sure your doctor does all tests possible, because most doctors are just so quick to jump to the conclusion that it is the dog you are allergic to.

Ive seen it happen many times before and it could be something as simple asl the food your dog is on, or a plant that your dog has touched and brought back in the house.


Good luck i really hope its not your puppy that your allergic to

 

[Renee750il]

This is going to sound nuts, and the chances of finding a doc who would even entertain the possibility are slim, but I spoke with a doc once who had specialized in asthma and he told me that over all of his years of treating asthma, the one thing he'd found that all but 'cured' it in even the worst sufferers was swimming. I'd had asthma as a child, and thinking back, realized that once we had a pool in the back yard and I swam all during the summer, my asthma totally disappeared! I've never had it since, even though I haven't had a place to swim in well over a decade, except for the odd mild attack of 'exercise asthma' brought on by running too long.

 

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

Thank you for all your kind responses.

I know that many doctors are quick to blame pets for allergies/asthma, but my family doctor is a huge animal lover and I know he will do anything he can to help me manage this without having to get rid of our dog (should she be the cause). The testing I will be having should give a definitive answer. I expect to show at least a mild allergic reaction, as I know I am slightly allergic to animals, but am hoping it is mild and can be managed.

I guess part of the concern is my age (40) and I cannot see living like this until I am 55 (the life span of the dog) should this continue. This is typically an age where you begin to see other health issues arise, and this asthma could really affect my future health and longevity.


I will do ANYTHING I can to avoid having to return our wonderful pup to the breeder, but if we have to we will not be getting another dog. I know there are supposedly "hypo-allergenic" breeds, but there are no guarantees and I cannot put my family (especially my child) through this again. It is too heart wrenching for all of us.

Please keep good thoughts in mind that it is NOT the puppy, or that I can manage this and keep the puppy. The other possibility is too sad to even contemplate....

Thanks again....

 

[Fran27]

There are shots to help get rid if allergies too. Most of my allergy to dog disappeared after 3 years of them (every week, then every other week, then every month).

What I mean is there are solutions out there, but yeah my motto is that i'd rather die 5 years earlier than not having pets, and without them I would probably not live as long anyway.

 

[poeluvr]

There are shots to help get rid if allergies too. Most of my allergy to dog disappeared after 3 years of them (every week, then every other week, then every month).

What I mean is there are solutions out there, but yeah my motto is that i'd rather die 5 years earlier than not having pets, and without them I would probably not live as long anyway.

Fran, I thik she stated she taking the tests to see if its manageable(which i think means using meds if have to), she is also using various things now, so i think she is just really trying, and doing the right thing(whatever that may end up being)

 

[Meggie]

Awww, I know how horribly sick you've been, but try not to think nine steps ahead right now. You need to get your rest and get yourself feeling better. One step at a time, see what the Doctor says next week, then worry about how you're going to deal with it. There are lots of different treatments out there for allergies, hopefully one of them will work for you if that's what's necessary.

 

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

There are shots to help get rid if allergies too. Most of my allergy to dog disappeared after 3 years of them (every week, then every other week, then every month).

What I mean is there are solutions out there, but yeah my motto is that i'd rather die 5 years earlier than not having pets, and without them I would probably not live as long anyway.

Yes, I am aware of the desensitization series, but I also know it isn't always effective, sadly. There aren't solutions for everyone as asthma is so dependent on the individual and their triggers, and what works for one is totally ineffective for another, ya know? I hope that if this is related to the dog then I can find a way to effectively manage it and keep the dog, as she matters so much to all of us. I have a child, and thus I'd like my lifespan to be as long as possible - I have a responsibility to be here for her as long as I can be, which means managing my own health to achieve that goal - and if that included not having a dog (which would be devastating to all of us) then that is what I would need to do. I continue, though, to be hopeful that this is not related to our pup or can be managed with medications.

 

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

Awww, I know how horribly sick you've been, but try not to think nine steps ahead right now. You need to get your rest and get yourself feeling better. One step at a time, see what the Doctor says next week, then worry about how you're going to deal with it. There are lots of different treatments out there for allergies, hopefully one of them will work for you if that's what's necessary.

Thanks Meggie - Yeah, I know I am probably getting ahead of myself here, but it's hard not to worry about the worst possible scenario, ya know? I am getting rest and doing better, though, so we'll see what these tests show next week.

 

[yuckaduck]

I am praying for you and hoping all works out for you.

 

[bubbatd]

I hope your doctor is a dog lover and understands..... keep us posted !! I too would rather take a few pills and keep my dog!

 

[Boxer*Mom]

You're in my thoughts. As the old saying goes, don't worry yourself to death, and stay positive.

 

[014509Bo]

You should do some serious reading on holistic healing for Asthma. Here is a little information I found.

It is now being considered an inflammatory disorder so an antiinflammatory diet may be useful. Avoidance of dairy is also useful. Use standard (allopathic) medicines selectively and with caution. In general, the less medication you can take, the better. Allopathic drugs, being suppressive in nature, tend to perpetuate asthma and reduce the chance that it will disappear on its own.

You can also take Astragalus (an herbal supplement, found in most health stores) to help build your immune system. Find out if there are environmental triggers, perhaps food related as well, cut out dairy as mentioned.
Asthma

Asthma-Decrease protein to 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.
Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible.
Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils that might contain trans-fatty acids, all foods that might contain trans-fatty acids (such as deep-fried foods). Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Always drink plenty of water to keep your respiratory tract secretions more fluid.
Experiment with eliminating (one at a time) wheat, corn, soy and sugar for six to eight weeks to see if the condition improves.
Eat ginger and turmeric regularly for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Try to find out what may be triggering the Asthma before getting rid of your pup. Where you excited, extreme emotions or stress can bring on Asthma as well. Also when your system gets down. . Don't just suppress your symptoms like conventional doctors want you to do (they make big money on those prescriptions they fill out for you). Try to heal your body and change your eating and lifestyle and let your body heal itself. I'm always amazed at how many people want to just pop a pill or get a shot of something just to get rid of the symptoms when they should be looking at healing the body instead. If you have a poor diet, drink Soda, Caffeine, fried foods, red meats, white bread, junk food, fast food, processed foods (kraft dinner, hamburg helper, canned foods, frozen quick dinners) any thing that is not natural and if ready made you are doing your body great harm and are making your system weak. Cut out any processed foods, etc and eat good whole foods, whole veggies, fruits, tofu, soy milk, flax oil and flax seeds, organic cereals with ingredients you know what they are. Try to include plenty of good foods, substitute white button mushrooms with Shittake mushrooms etc.
You are what you eat, when you run down your system with bad foods you are a perfect host for illnesses.
Good luck to you.

 

[Fran27]

Yes, I am aware of the desensitization series, but I also know it isn't always effective, sadly. There aren't solutions for everyone as asthma is so dependent on the individual and their triggers, and what works for one is totally ineffective for another, ya know? I hope that if this is related to the dog then I can find a way to effectively manage it and keep the dog, as she matters so much to all of us. I have a child, and thus I'd like my lifespan to be as long as possible - I have a responsibility to be here for her as long as I can be, which means managing my own health to achieve that goal - and if that included not having a dog (which would be devastating to all of us) then that is what I would need to do. I continue, though, to be hopeful that this is not related to our pup or can be managed with medications.

Yeah, the cat desensitization didn't work very well for me, but it's still better than it used to be.

I'm planning on having children too, but I'm not going to get rid of the dogs just because I'm allergic to them. Studies prove that living with a dog increases your life expentency too, so I think it makes up for it - it definitely does for me, as long as the asthma is manageable. Besides, it's not like children will be your responsibility all your life, eventually they leave and make their own family and you end up alone. Without pets? Never, as far as I'm concerned.

About the remedies and eating solutions to cure asthma, unfortunately it doesn't work when allergy is the cause. I would have died without meds personally.

 

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

Yeah, the cat desensitization didn't work very well for me, but it's still better than it used to be.

I'm planning on having children too, but I'm not going to get rid of the dogs just because I'm allergic to them. Studies prove that living with a dog increases your life expentency too, so I think it makes up for it - it definitely does for me, as long as the asthma is manageable. Besides, it's not like children will be your responsibility all your life, eventually they leave and make their own family and you end up alone. Without pets? Never, as far as I'm concerned.

About the remedies and eating solutions to cure asthma, unfortunately it doesn't work when allergy is the cause. I would have died without meds personally.

Fran 27 - I guess my tendency is to look at my child as a life-long commitment. I want to be here not only for her childhood, but also for her graduation, wedding, first child....I don't see wanting to have a long life span to share in her life ending when she leaves home. As I said I am already 40 and my child is only 6, so time is precious as it is, and that is a consideration for me. As important as pets are to me (and they are - I grew up with cats, managed vet clinics for most of my adult life, and now am a huge fan of dogs) my child is always going to be the first priority, and my ability to be here for her as long as I can possibly be.

I know having pets *can* increase your life span - unless of course they present a risk in terms of asthma. Increasingly severe asthma can definitely shorten a life span as one becomes more at risk of severe complications from respiratory infections (and of course any prolonged use of steroids has attendant risks). I guess there are just many, many factors to consider, and isn't a very simple scenario.



Everyone - I actually have been looking into naturopathic solutions and intend to incorporate some of them into my action plan regarding this issue, but the problem with these naturopathic ideas is that they can take a great deal of time to take effect. I am quite sure they can be beneficial in the long term, but rarely provide quick relief during an acute issue. I can't see waiting weeks to months for them to begin working while I cannot even climb a flight of stairs, LOL - so any naturopathic ideas I use would be incorporated along WITH medications prescribed by my physician as opposed to INSTEAD OF those medications, ya know?

Thanks for your responses, everyone.