Allergy Immunotherapy Neccessary?

Hello, my long term girlfriend and I really want to get a dog but unfortunately I'm allergic. I've been tested and the allergist gave me the info on allergy immunotherapy and told me to think it over. When I'm around a dog I get the stuffy nose, watery eyes, etc, but sometimes I will get a couple hives on the skin. I know people will say don't get the dog, but if we are going to anyway, do you think these allergy shots are even necessary for somebody like me? I'm not severely allergic by any means. I'm thinking if we keep the place clean, invest in some air purifiers, wash the dog with that aller-pet-d shampoo, and take other allergy precautions I'll be fine.

But what are your thoughts? Would anyone recommend the shots for somebody in my situation? Or not recommend them?

[Dr_Veena]

Hi,
     The basic treatment for any allergy is prevention of the triggering agent causing allergy. If you are repeatedly exposed to the triggers then severe allergic reactions might occur. Patient’s in whom recurrent severe allergic reactions occur immunotherapy helps in dealing the situation in such patient’s. As, you are already been tested for this allergy, I think it would be better to get allergy shots if you have decided to get a pet(dog) at your place. Best.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

Have you thought of a breed that's less allergenic than others .. something like a ShihTzu that has hair vs. fur or one of the Doodle breeds?

C~

[Tammy2009]

From the success I've had with allergy shots and allerpet-c (cat allergy), I would say it is ok.  BUT ... remember if you get a dog soon, it took me 8-12 months to get 95% relief from my allergies.  This means, you will spend at least that much time with allergy symptoms, on antihistamines (which stoppped working for me) and pretty much miserable.

There MAY be certain breeds that are lower allergen, this is only because the dog doesn't shed and thus there is less hair floating around.  There is still dander on the dog, in the saliva, urine and feces.  Some people actually react more to the "hypoallergic" dogs because their hair tends to be longer and more curly which means the dander present on the hair builds up more.

The best thing would be to visit a breeder or pet store and play with some puppies for an extended period of time.  Just let the staff now it's to test for allergies and what I do in the store I work for is put the family (or single person) in the cat room (so there is less dog dander from the other puppies) and leave them for 30-45 minutes.  Play with the dog, sniff and suggle them.  Think how you feel at the end of the 30-45 minutes and think honestly if you want to live like that for the next 10-15 years (in case the allergy shots don't work).