From their playful personalities and puppy-dog eyes to their joyful tail wags and the gift of putting a smile on faces young and small, it’s hard to deny that dogs truly are man’s (and woman’s) best friend! That certainly goes for our doctors here at Charleston Allergy & Asthma. We have a team full of dog-lovers, including some of our very own board-certified allergists!
We’ve rallied up all of the cute pup pictures, fun facts and some helpful tips on how you can still enjoy your favorite furry companion despite having pet allergies.
Folly
Folly is a sweet and affectionate English springer spaniel who’s been in Dr. Bruce Ball’s family for 9 years. He says she’s become quite the “velcro dog” during the pandemic and absolutely loves having the family home more. She’s a well-behaved, polite and sweet cuddly girl.
Learn more about how Dr. Ball recommends caring for pet allergies:
Is anyone in your home allergic to pets?
Yes, my son Devon is allergic. He completed allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) and has no issues now.
What do you tell people with pet allergies?
In my entire career, I have never told someone that they had to get rid of their dog. We’re not in the business of taking pets out of people’s homes. If it is determined that you are allergic, it’s preferable that you become desensitized through allergen immunotherapy before you find your pet. However, if you already have your pet, starting allergy shots is a good next step. Keeping the animal out of your bedroom is highly recommended while you become desensitized and we can prescribe medicines to help control your symptoms while your immune system is built up.
Do you have a favorite pet memory from childhood?
We always had English springer spaniels and one summer, we had a big litter. There was one particularly precocious pup in the mix. My favorite memory from that summer is we were all eating watermelon and he got a hold of a rind. Before we knew it, he’d eaten quite a bit and his little belly had puffed up round and he had a precious watermelon-pink face.
Gabriel
Gabriel, or “Gabe” for short, is the sweet Bracco Italiano of Dr. Thomas Harper. He’s been with the Harper family since his “gotcha day” on October 21, 2017. Though he may be a dog, Dr. Harper says, “he runs like a horse. Pounces like a cat. Will stand on hind legs and box you like a kangaroo.” He’s a 75-pound athlete and has mastered lots of tricks!
While the Harper family doesn’t have any pet allergies in their household, we asked Dr. Harper a few questions that our patients could benefit from:
What advice would you give someone who has pet allergies and wants to get a pet?
“When you are pet allergic, you are allergic to a protein that’s in the hair, saliva, dander, etc. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. You can get pets that shed less, but they are still allergenic. If you want to get a pet, you can keep the pet outdoors, vacuum a lot, or invest in a HEPA filter.”
What about cats?
“Cats have a lot of allergen in their saliva and they groom their fur (which dogs don’t) so then allergen aerosolizes off their hair from grooming. If it’s an outdoor cat and the saliva aerosolizes, it’s no big deal. However, if the cat is in the house or an enclosed space, then the saliva aerosolizes and doesn’t go anywhere and the concentration increases.”
What is your top recommendation for treating pet allergies?
“You can also choose to be desensitized to the animals. Immunotherapy for pet allergies is incredibly successful. I have cared for three veterinarians that have been allergic to cats and dogs. Can you imagine? And they were all cured through immunotherapy.”
Boss
This handsome Boston terrier mix has belonged to Dr. Lindsey Stoltz Steadman for seven years. Full of energy with no pause button to be found, Boss is quite the handful and has plenty of nicknames including “Bossy,” “Bossydoodle” and even “Boo Bear!” You also might be impressed to hear that Boss can clear a 4.5” fence; he’s “like a gazelle.” Dr. Stoltz Steadman also had a pet growing up, a Yorkie named Spanky, who lived to be 17 years old!
When asked about pet allergies, Dr. Stoltz Steadman shared that she is mildly allergic to dogs but is able to control her symptoms with medicine and has likely built up a small tolerance to her allergies from Boss. We asked her to give us a few tips for pet-lovers who struggle with allergies:
What advice do you have for someone with pet allergies longing for a pet?
“Expose yourself to different breeds, seek an animal out that sheds less. Keep them out of your bedroom, that will give you a short break from the allergens. I would definitely recommend getting started on an immunotherapy treatment prior to getting an animal so your symptoms will be better controlled. These treatments help alleviate your symptoms and often lead to complete relief from pet allergies in many of our patients.”
Indiana
This fluffy pup, known as Indiana or “Indy” belongs to Dr. Meredith Moore. He’s been with the family since December 2013! As a labradoodle, Indy is boisterous and energetic but he’s never met a person or animal that he didn’t fall in love with…except for a cat, that is.
Dr. Moore also shared how her family has dealt with pet allergies in their home:
Are you, or is anyone in your home, allergic to dogs? If so, what do you do?
“Yes, my oldest son is allergic to dogs. We had another dog that was a rescue and had her when Finn was growing up but we were moving so much when I was in the military that the dog went to live with grandparents. During this time, Finn developed his allergies to pets and we were unaware. When we settled, we rescued another dog and Finn had a terrible time with sneezing and wheezing so we were unable to keep that dog. The family was so sad. We started Finn on allergy shots to try to combat this. After he was on for three years, we entertained the idea of getting another dog. We spent time with a friend’s labradoodle and also went and met a breeder and Finn did fine without any symptoms. Even in a room of 15 dogs! So, that’s how Indy joined our family.
There is no data that supports the term ‘hypoallergenic’ in terms of animals. All animals release allergens via saliva, skin, and urine that can affect people. It’s not uncommon for me to take care of patients who say they can tolerate their own dog but are symptomatic around other people’s dogs. Anecdotally, people claim they develop a ‘tolerance’ to their own animal.”
What advice would you give someone who is allergic to pets?
“It would be beneficial to you to treat the allergy first. If people have an animal already, we want to do whatever we can to have the allergic person and the animal tolerate one another. There are lots of things we can do and immunotherapy (IT) is the most effective. You can modify the home environment, as well, by limiting the animal’s indoor roaming space, effective cleaning and air filters. If you do not have the pet yet, then it’s better to treat with allergy shots before you get an animal and get it home. It’s not uncommon for patients to have mild reactions to animals but once the animal is home, it can be up to six months before your symptoms become intolerable.”
Cider
Dr. Carolyn Word’s pup Cyder is a 6-year-old American field black lab, but don’t let her age fool you, she is still very much a puppy! Cider loves to play fetch and could care less about meeting new dog friends, she just loves to throw her ball around. Dr. Word also shared her love for pets when she was growing up. Her family always had labs as pets and even had some rabbits and a feral cat named Simba!
Dr. Word’s family has also experienced pet allergies:
Are you or is anyone in your home allergic to dogs?
“My husband was allergic but completed allergy shots and he no longer has symptoms. I still remember when we were dating in high school, I would sit and wait with him for 30 minutes after receiving his allergy shots. That’s how we got to know each other.”
What advice do you have for someone who has pet allergies but wants a dog?
“Come visit us! I’ve seen so many patients that have pets, developed symptoms, and we were able to help them gain relief with allergy shots. If a pet licking your face is what will make you happy, we’re here to make that happen for you!”
If you’re longing for a pet but believe you might be suffering from pet allergies, our team of board-certified allergists is here to help. No need to sacrifice your love of your furry friends! Consider getting tested for allergies so that our team can help you with the next steps to find relief. Request an appointment with our team today.
