Kids Allergic to Dog, What should we do?

[CHSD]

So my wife and I got the news yesterday that our 8 month old has a class two allergy to dogs. We have a yellow lab that sheds constantly. He is like a kid to us and a brother to our 2 year old.

Has anyone been in this situation? What did you guys do? Any advice?

We are talking about removing carpet from the areas our son spends the majority of the time in. We do not want to get rid of the dog if we do not have too.

I appreciate any and all advice.

 

[Aluminum Rain]

Build an outside kennel or in your garage. Your childs health is more important.

 

[CorbLand]

In my opinion, human life will always trump an animals and animals will never be equally family as a kid is.

If I found out my kid was allergic to a dog and I had a dog, that dog would be "free to a good home" before I left the doctors office.

 

[Vandy321]

I've been pretty dang allergic to dogs my whole life...i've also had dogs my entire life. I'm thankful my parents kept me around them.

Not sure what a class two allergy is, if we're talking things swelling up, I'd probably look at hypoallergenic dogs. If it's just some runny nose and sneezing, if it were my kid, I'd let his body learn to adjust on his own.

Thats a call only a parent can make. But again, I had pretty bad allergies as a kid, my dogs sleep in my bed still, 40 years later.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Health trumps all IMO. You can see how it goes. If the allergies are very mild it may be very manageable. As Aluminum rain mentioned making outdoor arrangements can help. Less carpet and a huge commitment to cleaning and minimizing exposure on a daily basis.

BUT may need to find a new home and consider hypoallergenic dog breed. It would suck but if your kid is healthy you won't regret it. Chronic allergy symptoms wear you down. Trust me. I suffered allergies as a child due to my home environment (dogs, smoking parents, other). Retrospectively, my parents should have made different decisions. I had chronic nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, etc. It affected my sleep. I never felt rested in the morning and I was always tired during the day which was terrible during school days.

 

[bsnedeker]

I mean, it's always a tough situation to be in but you have to do what's right for you and your family....time to get rid of those kids.

 

[Btaylor]

I mean, it's always a tough situation to be in but you have to do what's right for you and your family....time to get rid of those kids.

Was thinking the same thing, sell the kid. You can always make another one of those. Good dogs dont grow on trees.

 

[CorbLand]

In my opinion, human life will always trump an animals and animals will never be equally family as a kid is.

If I found out my kid was allergic to a dog and I had a dog, that dog would be "free to a good home" before I left the doctors office.

Obviously this would also have to be determined by the severity of the allergies. Even at that, the sniffles constantly does get annoying.

 

[Broomd]

If your kid's quality of life is compromised in any substantial way, get rid of the dog.
Get them a fish tank.

 

[Scoot]

Find a friend or relative to take the pooch.

 

[WCB]

I would set up an outside living arrangement for your dog and maybe get rid of carpet etc. How bad is it?...a bit more info would be helpful as maybe your kid will grow out of it or be easier to manage when he/she gets a little older. Does the 8mo old develop a slight rash? puffy eyes? trouble breathing? Luckily our 2.5 yr old and 8 month old don't have any pet allergies but it may get better when your 8month old isn't restricted to the floor.

I agree with the above sentiment that your kids take priority and in NO way is a dog or other pet anything like a "kid/child" it is your pet and is a bit degrading to your actual children. But, without more info it is hard to make the recommendation to get rid of the dog right away.

 

[Btaylor]

@CHSD In all seriousness, growing up I had severe allergies as well and which ultimately developed into asthma by Jr high. The doc said no pets and advised against deer and duck hunting as well. I laughed at him and said there was no way any of that was happening. Your situation is different with an 8 mos old. Take care of that youngin even if it means no dogs for a while and re-access when the child is a little older or the dog may have to move outside which is where mine were.

 

[CHSD]

The only reaction that he has is when he is in his diaper without clothes on crawling on the floor he get little mosquito bit type dots on his back. It does not seem to affect his breathing or he doesn't have a running nose or eyes.

Obviously, if we have to get rid of the dog we will do it. We are meeting with a specialist on Jan 27. Wish we could get in sooner, but it is what it is.

Thank you for the replies! I truly appreciate it.

 

[Vandy321]

The only reaction that he has is when he is in his diaper without clothes on crawling on the floor he get little mosquito bit type dots on his back. It does not seem to affect his breathing or he doesn't have a running nose or eyes.

Obviously, if we have to get rid of the dog we will do it. We are meeting with a specialist on Jan 27. Wish we could get in sooner, but it is what it is.

Thank you for the replies! I truly appreciate it.

I'd put a onesie on him and keep the dog. Problem solved.

 

[crich]

The only reaction that he has is when he is in his diaper without clothes on crawling on the floor he get little mosquito bit type dots on his back. It does not seem to affect his breathing or he doesn't have a running nose or eyes.

Obviously, if we have to get rid of the dog we will do it. We are meeting with a specialist on Jan 27. Wish we could get in sooner, but it is what it is.

Thank you for the replies! I truly appreciate it.

You may be able to mitigate a lot of the problem by removing carpet like you were talking about. Id also add an air purifier circulating constantly. Brushing the dog twice a week and daily vacuuming would probably do the trick. Pay attention to your vacuum a lot of them have leaks in the dust bin and shoot junk right back out into the air.

 

[idelkslayer]

Move the dog outside. It's just an animal for crying out loud. If that is not an option, then get rid of it.

 

[WCB]

If that is all he is getting then keep the dog...clean/vacuum more often and maybe get rid of carpet. I bet it goes away once the kid is walking and skin isn't so sensitive.

 

[Vandy321]

Move the dog outside. It's just an animal for crying out loud. If that is not an option, then get rid of it.

They're not "just an animal" to alot of folks. The OP mention the dog is like a brother to their two year old.

Good on the OP for trying to find a workable solution. Dogs are family to some.

 

[Cowboy20x]

Agree with above, move dog outside, remove carpet, see if it gets better. Maybe a labradoodle will work better. They make great family dogs and shed significantly less than a lab

 

[sndmn11]

At age 34 I discovered but accident I have had a lifelong allergy. Knowing that has literally changed my life on many levels beyond just my health.

I'd move the dog now.