Well, we've had our border terrier for 3 days now and I have noticed that my skin gets irritated and itchy after handling him. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem... more importantly, if they were able to remedy it. I can't bare the idea of giving him up but I may have to. This is heartbreaking.

greg

I have heard people reccommend something called Petal Cleanse, which you wipe over teh dog.
Generally its not actuallly the dogs fur that causes the allergy, often its the dander, and the saliva from them licking themselves.

Hang on in there, i find other peoples pets, especially cats, make me sneeze a bit, but after a while it goes away.

There are also methods of making a kind of vaccine, from the substance you are allergic to, i think its an alternative therapy, and i read about it in dogs today magazine, if you email them, they should be able to find the article.

Ill have a look and see if i stil lhave the mag around here somewhere (never throw anything away me!)

eM

It is quite unusual for Border Terrier to cause allergy reactions. In fact they can very often go to homes where there are asthmatic children, as they cause little reaction.

Have you noticed any dandruff on your puppy, if so it could be cause by chelytiella (sp?)(walking dandruff) mite which can cause irritation to human skin.

If you do see any dandruff on the pup you need to see your vet who will give you a shampoo to kill the mite.

Greg

My husband had the same problem but over a little while he got a natural immunity and only occasionally gets a reaction. Keep with it and I am sure you will be fine !

Lucy

Hi Greg

I get exactly the same thing - It's worse after handling cats but I'm also affected by dogs. You've just got to stick with it - you'll find after a few weeks it'll happen less and less. It's just your immune system being over-active.

The only time you need to be concerned is if you get wheezy too - even though the body may overcome this it can lead to irritation in the inner lining of the lungs/respiratory system which is not good.

Jo

You can obtain immunotherapy treatment but I think that many doctors are not keen as its probably expensive.

During immunotherapy, allergenic extracts are repeatedly administered to a patient in order to reduce the symptoms that are triggered by subsequent allergen exposure [1]. The extract is given in gradually increasing doses (until a maximum maintenance dose is reached), leading to desensitisation [1]. Both early-phase and late-phase responses to allergen challenge may also be inhibited

If this means you get to keep your dog I'd say go for it.

Hi,

Petal Cleanse it supposed to work really well, it's worth a try.

Have you thought maybe it's not your dog, maybe it's something like the shampoo used to bath him, or even any flea treatment maybe you have used?

manda
X
:)

yeah, i am pretty sure it is my dog... although i will make sure by changing shampoos etc.. i assume that this petal stuff is safe for my dog? it was good to hear that some of you had it and it got better with time. like i said, i REALLY don't want to give him up.

thanks for all of your help.

greg

When my son comes home for a visit he always gets a reaction to the dogs I get him piriteze or piriton cant remember which but anyway after the initial few day he is fine its because he doesnt live with dogs and we have so many at first I was very worried thinking how to cope but the pills work well Im sure you will be fine

When we first got our Border Terrier home almost a year ago my partner was dreadfully allergic. He used to sit in bed coughing and sneezing and it was so bad that I was thinking what have I put him through. It lasted about 2 weeks and now he is totally fine with her and he has never taken anything for it.

Greg,

I had a dog as a kid and never had any problems but since my mid teens I have become allergic to cats and now dogs and horses (I had the blood tests last year to find out)

I was determined not to let this stop me as I know that when dogs stay in our house I get used to them over time.

So, we bought our dog who is now 7 months and after the first few months of her being with us I have absolutely no problems.

The big test was going to visit the breeder where I was licked and hugged by 10+ dogs and guess what not and itchy eye, runny nose or rash to be seen - I was so so happy :-) :-)

So my advice to you is to keep at it, it will get better.

Good Luck

Heidi

I believe Petal Cleanse has had extensive testing and is safe for the dog and you. I have heard excellent reports of it and as he is a small not too long coated dog it should be easy to manage. Good luck.