Help with allergic reaction to my Portuguese Water Dog?
I am allergic to dogs, horses and cats – all to varying degrees. I am much better with a Poodle than a Lab, etc. So, my wife and I bought a Portuguese Water Dog (Rio) because they have hair that must be cut, not fur that sheds. Supposedly, PWD’s are good for people with allergies like mine. Well, turns out I am a bit allergic to the pooch. After an hour or two, my breathing is less than optimal when I am around Rio. My arms broke out a bit after petting him, but that seems better right now in that I am not breaking out (maybe I am getting used to him). Does anyone have any suggestions? What if we brush him more, could that reduce dander? Is there a good shampoo out there?
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Tagged with: Allergic Reaction • allergic to dogs • allergies • cats • fur • horses • pooch • poodle • Portuguese Water Dog • rio • shampoo
Filed under: Portuguese Water Dog
My family has raised/showed/bred Portuguese Water Dogs my whole life. PWD’s do NOT have any dander in their fur, which is why they do not shed (although they do loose a some hair just like people). However, you may be allergic to its saliva. When your arms broke out after petting Rio, had Rio licked your arms? Many people think that PWD’s are non-allergenic because they don’t shed, but don’t realize that people can also be allergic to dog saliva. You may want to look into this and get tested by a doctor. I hope that you are able to work it out because PWD’s are tryuly amazing pets!!!Good luck!
I’m allergic to dogs.
I train them, own 4 and occassionally breed. I’m REALLY allergic to puppies…
What I’ve found that works for me:
Wash my hands after I pet the dog
Wear long sleeves if I’m going to have body contact (I get petechiae)
Give the dog a bath… it rinses out the dander.
Wipe the dog down with a damp towel (or the anti-dander wipes from Petco)
If you use a gentle shampoo- (Pure Pearl by PurePet is my favorite.. you can find it by googling) you can bathe the dog fairly frequently. People who are showing bathe their dogs weekly.
In my experience brushing makes it worse for me.
Blowing out a non-clean dry dog will nearly kill me (some groomers commonly blow out a dirty dog while brushing pre-bath)
I get "used" to my own dogs and dogs I’m exposed to on a daily basis.
Strangely, I developed this allergy as an adult, after years of dog ownership and working with rescue. I believe I may have caused it by exposing myself to dander from rescued dogs I blew out while combing pre-bath.
There are shampoos out there to help with the dander. Are you taking any kind of allergy meds? I have singular and it works great. I have also used Claritin. You can buy it over the counter and Rite Aid had the generic brand. Don’t get the Claritin D though. That one will make you tired. I’m allergic to cats and a little bit to dogs and I have both. The only time it bothers me at all is if my cat gets up by my face. Brushing outside may also help. Let someone else do that though because it would make it fly around and make your symptoms worse.