Re:Thinking of getting a poodle - wondering how will it affect Crohn's?

[Guest guest]

Josie,

It sounds like you know the answer. Your daughter is already reacting

a little after a little bit of exposure. Just how do you think this

is going to improve with a dog around all the time? Not to mention

the dog hair and dander getting all over the house? My brother had

terrible asthma when we were kids, and he always wanted a dog. Once

Mama allowed one in for a short period and sure enough, it started

causing trouble. He still wanted the dog but we all understood why

not. Sure, it's a disappointment, but since your daughter is on SCD

I'll bet she will be OK with dogs in a year or two. My brother had

to make do with fish, hamsters, and even small caimans! But the

point is he did make do. He eventually outgrew much of his childhood

allergy problem and he had dogs as an adult. It's a disappointment,

sure, but why risk adding another stress to her situation now?

[Guest guest]

> Josie,>> It sounds like you know the answer. Your daughter is already reacting> a little after a little bit of exposure. Just how do you think this> is going to improve with a dog around all the time? Not to mention> the dog hair and dander getting all over the house? My brother had> terrible asthma when we were kids, and he always wanted a dog. Once> Mama allowed one in for a short period and sure enough, it started> causing trouble. He still wanted the dog but we all understood why> not. Sure, it's a disappointment, but since your daughter is on SCD> I'll bet she will be OK with dogs in a year or two. My brother had> to make do with fish, hamsters, and even small caimans! But the> point is he did make do. He eventually outgrew much of his childhood> allergy problem and he had dogs as an adult. It's a disappointment,> sure, but why risk adding another stress to her situation now?>> >As with some other allergens, it is possible to acclimatize to animal allergens so that they don't affect a person.I have asthma (and Crohn's, mitochondrial dysfunction, etc). -- and five cats. I sometimes react to other people's cats (but far more so to other animals, especially horses and some dogs), but not to my own. One of our cats, Dancer (who, alas, died last May at age 16 1/2) I was highly allergic to when we got her. My airways just closed down. Now a cat is different than a dog, of course, and cats are fastidious creatures. And as well, she promptly got very sick (had been exposed to a respiratory infection at the shelter). But what I did was spread a towel on my lap and chest when holding her, then rubbed her down (to remove dander) with a very warm, damp washcloth, then gave her her medicine and the attention she needed. When each session was finished I thoroughly washed my hands and arms. Over a few days I reacted less and less to her, and soon not at all.The other issue if you have any family member with asthma and/or have pets, is to avoid having carpet in your house; use area rugs on hardwood or other natural floors. Even vacuuming carpets very frequently is just not the same as not having the carpet for dander, hair and other allergens to get lodged in. And it's much harder and more time-consuming that vacuuming a few rugs and keeping hair, dust, etc., off the hardwood. So I, at least, wouldn't necessarily suggest that you absolutely shouldn't get the dog. But as others have said, possibly having to get rid of it after you've had it for a while could be tricky; and possibly cruel for the dog, depending on the details of the circumstances and whether you had arranged ahead of time for that possibility.Personally, I'd suggest getting a short-haired cat from a shelter (or better, two of them, so they can be buddies and entertain themselves when you're gone). They're much easier to take care of. And you don't have to walk them. And they're just fantastic animals all the way around -- and not at all the solitary creatures that a lot of "dog people" think they are.  :-)  And so many of them never get homes, and end up simply being done away with because of it. :-(  n_________________________________________________ Now available. A fine gift for cat lovers:Confessions of a Cataholic: My Life With the 10 Cats Who Caused My Addictionby n Van Tilwww.wordpowerpublishing.com ; signed copies; free shipping in U.S., reduced shipping elsewhere