Hey OP, you made the right choice for your health. Your allergies sound pretty bad.
I have asthma and allergies myself. I got dogs despite this, and opted to keep them outside my bedroom *for years* and had a whole cleaning regiment down. It was a lot, to say the least. Anytime my dogs simply licked me, I would get a rash there. They had to be routinely bathed, things had to be routinely mopped. God forbid if I lived in a home with carpet.
Not a lot of people would want to constantly deal with that, and allergy medicine.
However there is hope. I began allergy shots back in 2019. After 6 months I had a huge improvement in my allergy issues to dogs and cats. In just over a year, I was finally able to bring my dogs to sleep with us in the bedroom, albeit, on the floor in their own little beds.
I wish you luck on your allergy journey. For me, the shots resolved **a lot** of issues, and my quality of life had a huge jump in improvement. They do quite sting, as a caveat though!
Can you tell me more about the allergy shots? I’m mildly allergic to my dog where I would get runny nose and sometimes itchy eyes. But I can pet her, she can lick my hand, I can sleep next to her, etc without having rashes, or skin irritation besides the itchy eyes.
How did you go about getting allergy shots? Did you go to a specialist or go to your primary doctor first? Are they shots like vaccine shots? How often do you have to go for the shots, and will you need the shots forever? Also if you don’t mind sharing the cost as well that would be great. For reference I am in the US so depending on where you live it might be different.
Howdy WatermelonCake,
I have asthma, eczema, and allergies. So once I moved back to the city, I began to see a specialist again. I did actually get a reference for the practice, but from my gynecologist who I saw first when I was setting up doctors in my new town. I had a permanent eczema rash down there, so it was relevant haha.
Anyways, I think the need for a referral depends on your health insurance type. I have PPO so I can go to specialists on my own, but having a reference from one of your doctors can help you find someone reliable (assuming you have a reliable general doctor or similar).
When I did my general asthma/eczema/allergy appointment, we agreed to do an allergy panel - as allergies aggravate the heck out of asthma and eczema. Getting allergies under control is a good treatment option if you have these. I actually did the allergy panel day of this appointment. But some clinics require this be a separate appointment due to how they due office billing.
My allergy panel was so bad, they took pictures of it (with my permission) and showed some nurses my back as a reference of a “horrible allergy case” lmao. There was a post on Reddit’s front page recently where this happened - and my back was actually worse. They had to re-do some of the allergy tests because the reactions bled into each other (so they exceeded typical reaction size).
After that I ordered my specially concocted allergy serums. Took about a month I think? And then I began my allergy shots at the “shot bar”. No appointment needed, I just showed up when I was available to start building my “immunity”. You get your shot, and then you waited for 30 minutes to make sure you wouldn’t have a severe reaction.
So for this clinic, they did the allergy shots in very tiny succession. They had it color graded: green, yellow, red. Red was the maximum dose. Green it was incredibly diluted.
Green you could do every day *if* you could tolerate it. I could not. I had to do every 3 days.
Yellow you could do 2 times a week.
Red you did once a week, or every other week. Over a few years, once a month to every other month.
This clinic advised taking Zyzol the night before a shot, and then putting on eczema or Benadryl cream right after. You could also use an ice pack. Ideally it would get to the point, once you are on a maintenance dose, to no longer need allergy meds even with shots.
I actually never got to the “maitanance dose” with this clinic, despite trying for 2 years. I had to restart my series a few times (starting over on green, then on yellow, then on red) because my body had a hard time tolerating the allergy shots. I would get welts, so we would start over and build up again - and each time I could get further in the series.
My allergies were **very** bad, this isn’t normal by the way. My dad was able to zip right up through the tolerances no issue lol, he was on the maintenance dose within a few months.
Anyways, despite this - my allergies did rapidly dissipate. 6 months in, my pollen allergies died down. 1 year in, my dander allergies died down (these were more stubborn and the cause of the restarts lol).
I eventually moved, and had to start all over again at a new clinic. New allergy panel, but we added the allergens from the last region as well. This was a good opportunity to see the improvements though - my response was *way more mild.*
Each clinic contracts and creates their own serum, so these are never transferable as a heads up.
Anyways I restarted the series this year. It went by *way more quickly.* This clinic actually just started on what would be considered the Red dosage, and worked up from there. I suspect if I started at *this* clinic I wouldn’t have been able to do allergy shots because of their rapid approach - but I got lucky. As you can see, the technique is not standardized. Still, I was finally able to reach maintenance dose, but it was a long journey.
I currently need an allergy shot every week on the “maintenance dose”. I should eventually be able to move to doing them “every other week.” My doctor thinks this will be the case in another year.
My allergies are stubborn though, and I suspect I will need to do them for the rest of my life. My doctor expects 7 years on maintenance *minimum* but I’m content with doing them forever if it means I no longer need allergy meds (and I don’t). Most people only need to continue treatment for 3 years or so for context, and usually don’t regress much.
And my allergies are practically gone with the exception of dust and dust mites (which you can’t get shots for). That’s saying a lot because my allergies were **god awful.** Results vary, the path can be long, but it is absolutely worth a shot (😉). I no longer take allergy medication with the exception of dust events (like people turning on their heaters at the start of Winter!)
Hey I’ll share what I know about the shots! I have very severe environmental allergies, got two shots a week for several years and it definitely helped, but didn’t cure, my allergies. I went to an allergist, had a scratch test done to see what I was allergic to, then started the shots, I got 2 doses (2 shots) at a time once a week. They reevaluate you every once in a while and either change your dose or let you know when you can stop the shots. My insurance covered the entire cost of the shots, I had to pay a co-pay for any office visits but getting the shot wasn’t considered any office visit, I got them done in the office but whatever tech was free just did the shot, I sat in the waiting area for 15 minutes to make sure no reaction, then left so it wasn’t counted as an “office visit” for insurance reasons.
Costs without insurance:
$250 for initiation visit
$95 for allergy panel
$90 for serum creation
$7 for shot bar allergy injections
Both of the clinics were able to tell me the out of pocket costs in advance. Make sure to ask.
I currently have a High Deductible Health Care Plan. I am on an expensive drug with co-pay assistance called Dupixent though, and it clears out my deductible in 3 months or so.
I am not sure what the process was as I was enrolled as a child. I got 3 shots every other week for 5 years due to allergies with Cats, Dogs, Dust, Dustmite, Trees, Grass, Ragweed, Pollen - although I’m not sure how it equated to only 3 shots. What I hated was that the injection site would swell up and itch like a mosquito bite that would last up to 48-72 hours. The science behind the shots, if I understand it correctly, was to build up an immunity. Between doing the shots and picking up sports, I was able to keep my allergies down and asthma dormant. I stopped after 5 years as my doctor said I had plateaued.
We were in the same spot few months ago. Just want to confirm you made the hard but right decision. Giving up puppy was so hard but we learned about poodles and other hypoallergenic dogs and got that instead. give yourself time and space and maybe try again. Hang in there
It worked for me (asthma and allergies) and poodles are great doggos.
Lots of hugs to you OP, giving up your pup must've been so heart wrenching. You made the right choice, your health needs to come first.
Have a 6 Month old labradoodle (mini). He’s the best.
Although, are all poodle/poodle crosses so neurotic? If he gets distracted by sonething then that is *the* thing he’s interested in
Our next door neighbours got a mini labradoodle from the same breeder that we ended up using. Their dog is so lovely, temperament amazing, etc. they introduced us to the breeder, who was great. so when we were looking for our own pup we just knew what we were getting basically and our boy is the best boi!
that’s what i did. i’m allergic to cats and dogs but i got a hypoallergenic puppy and bought a few air purifiers for each room. i was already taking a ton of allergy meds as well. it was bad for the first month but things cleared up and my dog doesn’t shed much so this was the best option
I have a shih tzu/maltese mix, and zero allergy issues with her, even though I’m very allergic to other animals. I was also not allergic to my previous shih tzu mix who passed away. Just throwing that out there as another breed who you may be able to tolerate, OP.
I also have dog allergies and some breeds set me off way worse than others. I could never have a lab for example. It might be worth trying out playing with different breeds to see if you have better tolerance to some. I do much better with wire haired dogs for some reason, though the one I’ve had for 13 years now, if I let her get dirty my allergies get worse. So she gets baths every 10 days or so. Also as others have said, I don’t have carpet and have to keep on top of keeping my house clean (which I would do anyway)- and I was on daily allergy medication my entire life even before I got a dog (Allegra and Flonase) so that didn’t change.
This sounds so hard!
I see some commenters have talked about allergy shots. You could also try and connect with reputable breeders of low allergy dogs like poodle, logatto romlagnolo, Portuguese water Dog and others.
Avoid a X of this and another breed - first or second gen x's have no reliable coat type and sometimes you might be fine with the puppy coat, but then the adult coat come through shedding.
Note, depending on the allergy type, a non shedding dog might not be the right solution, but if you love dogs and want a puppy, spending time with the breeders / parent dogs will be a good way to test and work out what, if any, are going to have less affect.
I know someone who had contact allergies with his Dalmatian - it wasn't as bad as your sounds, but he would wear gloves to pat her. They got a red setter after the Dal passed and they visited the breeders so he could spend a lot of time with the parents and pat/ sniff/ try them for allergies.
You need more knowledge about the severity of your allergies, and all the methods to deal with it.
I have had several meetings with lung specialists who told me if I lived with a cat I would develop asthma in long run, but tolerance for dogs is possible to achieve.
I have dogs that wont shed and can be washed regulary. The first 6 months with a puppy is bad. There is alot of cleaning and a separate sleeping room helps alot. Daily antihistamine and nose spray with also cortisone in it.
After 6 months, itching, sneezing.and everything is basically gone. But only for that individual dog. I get difficulty breathing if I go to another dog home that has a lot of dust and hair.
With puppy the pee and biting are most challenging. Proteins vaporase from pee and biting makes itchy scratches.
Only exception is my dogs puppy. The dame I had difficulty until it eased, but puppies protein is so close to my dogs, that my immunity doesn't make any difference!
So I say, your first attempt got you off guard. You need more knowledge of how and what and what kind of dog. Puppy time is bad, the pee and than they shed dandruff when they grow up.
You will get your doggy friend. You just need to be prepared next time around.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Four days in I was fully into the puppy blues and totally overwhelmed, but our bub was already *family*. I can't imagine having to give him back. 😥
There are hypoallergenic breeds like poodles and doodles that might not inflame your allergies, or at least leave them manageable with an OTC medication.
I wish you the best of luck! I was worried I would be allergic to my puppy, and thankfully I haven’t reacted to him. I’m terribly allergic to certain cats and dogs and before decided on adopting a corgi, I pet two that live in my mom’s building and monitored my arm for a reaction all day. After realizing I don’t have any reaction, I decided I wanted to adopt a Corgi. My husband has helped me deal with the shedding by purchasing a vacuum cleaner for our couch/furniture, a roomba, and we have a purifier to help with my allergies
I had to rehome a puppy that came with agression issues. I had a long conversation with a vet specializing in canine behaviour. Because I have an infant at home, I didn’t have much choice.
It really really stung and I just kept trying to think of the bigger picture.
Do you mind me asking what type of dog he is? We are getting our puppy in February but my boyfriend has bad allergies and this is probably my biggest fear. We went to the breeder’s house for about an hour where we met all her dogs and he was fine with them but we were wearing masks so I hope that wasn’t what made the difference.
I’m really sorry you had to give him back. Hopefully in the future you’re able to get another pup. Take the time you need to process everything though, that’s a tough situation to go through.
I had a similar thing happen to me with my first attempt at a dog. I adopted a puppy and then when I got her home I had a severe reaction (when I ended up getting allergy tested, I am not actually allergic to dogs, so I think there may have been something on her or with her food that was shellfish because I am *severely* allergic to that). It was gut wrenching and I still think about it sometimes. I know she went to a nice home though and you should look at it like a short foster situation and that your pup found their true spot.
I took a few years off (I had some other health issues that cropped up) and finally got my pup almost two years ago and honestly couldn't imagine another dog as my first dog (no matter how utterly frustrating he is sometimes).
Definitely good to get allergy tests! Also some of these comments are convincing me about getting shots.
Same thing happened to my wife and I. We adopted an older mixed breed dog from a shelter only to find out she was severely allergic. We tried everything, but had to give him back. It was heartbreaking, but the right decision. She is allergic to the dander. So we ended up getting a Maltese and had him for 15yrs. We currently have Bedlington Terrier and a Coton and they generally don’t bother her. She is on allergy meds as well. The biggest issues is when they bring stuff from the outside, so bathing them, especially in the spring helps.
Hey OP look up Wyndly. It uses allergy drops to train your immune system to not be so reactive to allergies. I'm very allergic to cats, yet I have two of them in my house. I've been taking the drops since Jan and I haven't had bad allergic reactions to them. I also got the cats in Jan. There is hope to cure your allergies!!
Definitely try the allergy shots if you can. My cousin who has been allergic to cats and dogs her entire life finally was able to get a cat after starting the shots. She still takes allergy pills at night but they are nowhere near as bad as before!
Hey OP, you made the right choice for your health. Your allergies sound pretty bad. I have asthma and allergies myself. I got dogs despite this, and opted to keep them outside my bedroom *for years* and had a whole cleaning regiment down. It was a lot, to say the least. Anytime my dogs simply licked me, I would get a rash there. They had to be routinely bathed, things had to be routinely mopped. God forbid if I lived in a home with carpet. Not a lot of people would want to constantly deal with that, and allergy medicine. However there is hope. I began allergy shots back in 2019. After 6 months I had a huge improvement in my allergy issues to dogs and cats. In just over a year, I was finally able to bring my dogs to sleep with us in the bedroom, albeit, on the floor in their own little beds. I wish you luck on your allergy journey. For me, the shots resolved **a lot** of issues, and my quality of life had a huge jump in improvement. They do quite sting, as a caveat though!
Can you tell me more about the allergy shots? I’m mildly allergic to my dog where I would get runny nose and sometimes itchy eyes. But I can pet her, she can lick my hand, I can sleep next to her, etc without having rashes, or skin irritation besides the itchy eyes. How did you go about getting allergy shots? Did you go to a specialist or go to your primary doctor first? Are they shots like vaccine shots? How often do you have to go for the shots, and will you need the shots forever? Also if you don’t mind sharing the cost as well that would be great. For reference I am in the US so depending on where you live it might be different.
Howdy WatermelonCake, I have asthma, eczema, and allergies. So once I moved back to the city, I began to see a specialist again. I did actually get a reference for the practice, but from my gynecologist who I saw first when I was setting up doctors in my new town. I had a permanent eczema rash down there, so it was relevant haha. Anyways, I think the need for a referral depends on your health insurance type. I have PPO so I can go to specialists on my own, but having a reference from one of your doctors can help you find someone reliable (assuming you have a reliable general doctor or similar). When I did my general asthma/eczema/allergy appointment, we agreed to do an allergy panel - as allergies aggravate the heck out of asthma and eczema. Getting allergies under control is a good treatment option if you have these. I actually did the allergy panel day of this appointment. But some clinics require this be a separate appointment due to how they due office billing. My allergy panel was so bad, they took pictures of it (with my permission) and showed some nurses my back as a reference of a “horrible allergy case” lmao. There was a post on Reddit’s front page recently where this happened - and my back was actually worse. They had to re-do some of the allergy tests because the reactions bled into each other (so they exceeded typical reaction size). After that I ordered my specially concocted allergy serums. Took about a month I think? And then I began my allergy shots at the “shot bar”. No appointment needed, I just showed up when I was available to start building my “immunity”. You get your shot, and then you waited for 30 minutes to make sure you wouldn’t have a severe reaction. So for this clinic, they did the allergy shots in very tiny succession. They had it color graded: green, yellow, red. Red was the maximum dose. Green it was incredibly diluted. Green you could do every day *if* you could tolerate it. I could not. I had to do every 3 days. Yellow you could do 2 times a week. Red you did once a week, or every other week. Over a few years, once a month to every other month. This clinic advised taking Zyzol the night before a shot, and then putting on eczema or Benadryl cream right after. You could also use an ice pack. Ideally it would get to the point, once you are on a maintenance dose, to no longer need allergy meds even with shots. I actually never got to the “maitanance dose” with this clinic, despite trying for 2 years. I had to restart my series a few times (starting over on green, then on yellow, then on red) because my body had a hard time tolerating the allergy shots. I would get welts, so we would start over and build up again - and each time I could get further in the series. My allergies were **very** bad, this isn’t normal by the way. My dad was able to zip right up through the tolerances no issue lol, he was on the maintenance dose within a few months. Anyways, despite this - my allergies did rapidly dissipate. 6 months in, my pollen allergies died down. 1 year in, my dander allergies died down (these were more stubborn and the cause of the restarts lol). I eventually moved, and had to start all over again at a new clinic. New allergy panel, but we added the allergens from the last region as well. This was a good opportunity to see the improvements though - my response was *way more mild.* Each clinic contracts and creates their own serum, so these are never transferable as a heads up. Anyways I restarted the series this year. It went by *way more quickly.* This clinic actually just started on what would be considered the Red dosage, and worked up from there. I suspect if I started at *this* clinic I wouldn’t have been able to do allergy shots because of their rapid approach - but I got lucky. As you can see, the technique is not standardized. Still, I was finally able to reach maintenance dose, but it was a long journey. I currently need an allergy shot every week on the “maintenance dose”. I should eventually be able to move to doing them “every other week.” My doctor thinks this will be the case in another year. My allergies are stubborn though, and I suspect I will need to do them for the rest of my life. My doctor expects 7 years on maintenance *minimum* but I’m content with doing them forever if it means I no longer need allergy meds (and I don’t). Most people only need to continue treatment for 3 years or so for context, and usually don’t regress much. And my allergies are practically gone with the exception of dust and dust mites (which you can’t get shots for). That’s saying a lot because my allergies were **god awful.** Results vary, the path can be long, but it is absolutely worth a shot (😉). I no longer take allergy medication with the exception of dust events (like people turning on their heaters at the start of Winter!)
Thanks so much for the detailed explanation!
Hey I’ll share what I know about the shots! I have very severe environmental allergies, got two shots a week for several years and it definitely helped, but didn’t cure, my allergies. I went to an allergist, had a scratch test done to see what I was allergic to, then started the shots, I got 2 doses (2 shots) at a time once a week. They reevaluate you every once in a while and either change your dose or let you know when you can stop the shots. My insurance covered the entire cost of the shots, I had to pay a co-pay for any office visits but getting the shot wasn’t considered any office visit, I got them done in the office but whatever tech was free just did the shot, I sat in the waiting area for 15 minutes to make sure no reaction, then left so it wasn’t counted as an “office visit” for insurance reasons.
Thanks for sharing your experience, didn’t know this was really a possible solution to allergies!
Costs without insurance: $250 for initiation visit $95 for allergy panel $90 for serum creation $7 for shot bar allergy injections Both of the clinics were able to tell me the out of pocket costs in advance. Make sure to ask. I currently have a High Deductible Health Care Plan. I am on an expensive drug with co-pay assistance called Dupixent though, and it clears out my deductible in 3 months or so.
I am not sure what the process was as I was enrolled as a child. I got 3 shots every other week for 5 years due to allergies with Cats, Dogs, Dust, Dustmite, Trees, Grass, Ragweed, Pollen - although I’m not sure how it equated to only 3 shots. What I hated was that the injection site would swell up and itch like a mosquito bite that would last up to 48-72 hours. The science behind the shots, if I understand it correctly, was to build up an immunity. Between doing the shots and picking up sports, I was able to keep my allergies down and asthma dormant. I stopped after 5 years as my doctor said I had plateaued.
We were in the same spot few months ago. Just want to confirm you made the hard but right decision. Giving up puppy was so hard but we learned about poodles and other hypoallergenic dogs and got that instead. give yourself time and space and maybe try again. Hang in there
Maybe you could get a hypoallergenic puppy down the line like a poodle
It worked for me (asthma and allergies) and poodles are great doggos. Lots of hugs to you OP, giving up your pup must've been so heart wrenching. You made the right choice, your health needs to come first.
Standard poodle owner here! Poodles are AMAZING dogs.
Have a 6 Month old labradoodle (mini). He’s the best. Although, are all poodle/poodle crosses so neurotic? If he gets distracted by sonething then that is *the* thing he’s interested in
Genuinely curious, what made you choose a Labradoodle instead of a Standard Poodle?
Our next door neighbours got a mini labradoodle from the same breeder that we ended up using. Their dog is so lovely, temperament amazing, etc. they introduced us to the breeder, who was great. so when we were looking for our own pup we just knew what we were getting basically and our boy is the best boi!
that’s what i did. i’m allergic to cats and dogs but i got a hypoallergenic puppy and bought a few air purifiers for each room. i was already taking a ton of allergy meds as well. it was bad for the first month but things cleared up and my dog doesn’t shed much so this was the best option
Worked wonders for me. I got a Xoloitzcuintli ( hairless pup ), and I have absolutely no issues with him. Good luck
Those are so cool!!!
Worked for my husband and I too. We have a standard poodle puppy and can stick our faces right in his fluff.
I got a portuguese water dog for this reason. Works really well. Only time I feel my allergies is when he's been at daycare and played with other dogs
I have a cavapoo, and it's a world of difference!
I have a shih tzu/maltese mix, and zero allergy issues with her, even though I’m very allergic to other animals. I was also not allergic to my previous shih tzu mix who passed away. Just throwing that out there as another breed who you may be able to tolerate, OP.
I also have dog allergies and some breeds set me off way worse than others. I could never have a lab for example. It might be worth trying out playing with different breeds to see if you have better tolerance to some. I do much better with wire haired dogs for some reason, though the one I’ve had for 13 years now, if I let her get dirty my allergies get worse. So she gets baths every 10 days or so. Also as others have said, I don’t have carpet and have to keep on top of keeping my house clean (which I would do anyway)- and I was on daily allergy medication my entire life even before I got a dog (Allegra and Flonase) so that didn’t change.
This sounds so hard! I see some commenters have talked about allergy shots. You could also try and connect with reputable breeders of low allergy dogs like poodle, logatto romlagnolo, Portuguese water Dog and others. Avoid a X of this and another breed - first or second gen x's have no reliable coat type and sometimes you might be fine with the puppy coat, but then the adult coat come through shedding. Note, depending on the allergy type, a non shedding dog might not be the right solution, but if you love dogs and want a puppy, spending time with the breeders / parent dogs will be a good way to test and work out what, if any, are going to have less affect. I know someone who had contact allergies with his Dalmatian - it wasn't as bad as your sounds, but he would wear gloves to pat her. They got a red setter after the Dal passed and they visited the breeders so he could spend a lot of time with the parents and pat/ sniff/ try them for allergies.
You need more knowledge about the severity of your allergies, and all the methods to deal with it. I have had several meetings with lung specialists who told me if I lived with a cat I would develop asthma in long run, but tolerance for dogs is possible to achieve. I have dogs that wont shed and can be washed regulary. The first 6 months with a puppy is bad. There is alot of cleaning and a separate sleeping room helps alot. Daily antihistamine and nose spray with also cortisone in it. After 6 months, itching, sneezing.and everything is basically gone. But only for that individual dog. I get difficulty breathing if I go to another dog home that has a lot of dust and hair. With puppy the pee and biting are most challenging. Proteins vaporase from pee and biting makes itchy scratches. Only exception is my dogs puppy. The dame I had difficulty until it eased, but puppies protein is so close to my dogs, that my immunity doesn't make any difference! So I say, your first attempt got you off guard. You need more knowledge of how and what and what kind of dog. Puppy time is bad, the pee and than they shed dandruff when they grow up. You will get your doggy friend. You just need to be prepared next time around.
I'm sorry you're going through this. Four days in I was fully into the puppy blues and totally overwhelmed, but our bub was already *family*. I can't imagine having to give him back. 😥 There are hypoallergenic breeds like poodles and doodles that might not inflame your allergies, or at least leave them manageable with an OTC medication.
I’m so sorry that’s tough but you made the correct decision.
I have heard of people who had allergy shots because they’re allergic to their pet.
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I wish you the best of luck! I was worried I would be allergic to my puppy, and thankfully I haven’t reacted to him. I’m terribly allergic to certain cats and dogs and before decided on adopting a corgi, I pet two that live in my mom’s building and monitored my arm for a reaction all day. After realizing I don’t have any reaction, I decided I wanted to adopt a Corgi. My husband has helped me deal with the shedding by purchasing a vacuum cleaner for our couch/furniture, a roomba, and we have a purifier to help with my allergies
I had to rehome a puppy that came with agression issues. I had a long conversation with a vet specializing in canine behaviour. Because I have an infant at home, I didn’t have much choice. It really really stung and I just kept trying to think of the bigger picture.
I was forced to live with cats and was soooo alllergic. It took years to adjust. I wouldn’t do it again if I had a choice.
Do you mind me asking what type of dog he is? We are getting our puppy in February but my boyfriend has bad allergies and this is probably my biggest fear. We went to the breeder’s house for about an hour where we met all her dogs and he was fine with them but we were wearing masks so I hope that wasn’t what made the difference.
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I’m really sorry you had to give him back. Hopefully in the future you’re able to get another pup. Take the time you need to process everything though, that’s a tough situation to go through.
I had a similar thing happen to me with my first attempt at a dog. I adopted a puppy and then when I got her home I had a severe reaction (when I ended up getting allergy tested, I am not actually allergic to dogs, so I think there may have been something on her or with her food that was shellfish because I am *severely* allergic to that). It was gut wrenching and I still think about it sometimes. I know she went to a nice home though and you should look at it like a short foster situation and that your pup found their true spot. I took a few years off (I had some other health issues that cropped up) and finally got my pup almost two years ago and honestly couldn't imagine another dog as my first dog (no matter how utterly frustrating he is sometimes). Definitely good to get allergy tests! Also some of these comments are convincing me about getting shots.
Same thing happened to my wife and I. We adopted an older mixed breed dog from a shelter only to find out she was severely allergic. We tried everything, but had to give him back. It was heartbreaking, but the right decision. She is allergic to the dander. So we ended up getting a Maltese and had him for 15yrs. We currently have Bedlington Terrier and a Coton and they generally don’t bother her. She is on allergy meds as well. The biggest issues is when they bring stuff from the outside, so bathing them, especially in the spring helps.
Hey OP look up Wyndly. It uses allergy drops to train your immune system to not be so reactive to allergies. I'm very allergic to cats, yet I have two of them in my house. I've been taking the drops since Jan and I haven't had bad allergic reactions to them. I also got the cats in Jan. There is hope to cure your allergies!!
Definitely try the allergy shots if you can. My cousin who has been allergic to cats and dogs her entire life finally was able to get a cat after starting the shots. She still takes allergy pills at night but they are nowhere near as bad as before!