Allergies

[Robin_n_Jack]

I have some pretty severe dander allergies to dogs….like tanza, I hate it when people advertise a dog as being "hypo-allergenic" it really is unfair advertising.....next thing you know, you are working at Barnes and Noble with moderate to severe dander allergies and some Paris Hilton wannabe comes in with her little Chihuahua in a purse and when I tell her I won't help her until she leaves the dog outside, she throws a little hissy fit about how her dog is hypo-allergenic and what is my problem, but I digress....

That is not your fault that this era of designer dogs has led into false advertising. I too thought that certain dogs were hypo-allergenic when I started looking. MANY MANY KUDOS to you for looking for a solution to manage the allergies.

I have found that my allergies lessen over time as I get used to a dog (or cat's) dander. ie- I go out of town for a while and come back, my allergies to Jack are worse because my body is less used to combating the dander. In the meantime, the pills work (but they are pricey). I have taken FloNase as well, which is a nasal steriod (think turning your nose into Barry Bonds- knocking that dander right out of the park). Zyrtec makes me drowsy, but you can find store versions of claritin and alavert OTC at walgreens or CVS which are less expensive than the name brands.

How is it going, though- have you found anything that helps?

[Ninabeana26]

Well actually Mark became immune to Dallas totally about 2ish months ago but we broke up recently & I moved out…and back to Maryland. So now I don't care if he is sick from dog dander. Although of course Dallas is with me!

[jerremie]

Cool… an allergy thread! HOORAY! I just posted my intro yesterday as a new Basenji owner (with apparent Basenji allergies.) Tiger has really dry skin with lots of dandruff, so I'm slowly switching him from Canidae to Timberwolf Ocean 6 (grain-free/single protein source) and adding salmon oil to the kibble. Since I'm the one who appears to have some allergies to his dander, my partner brushed Tiger vigorously outdoors last night and then took a cloth with some pet enzyme solution and to wipe away dander afterwards. Of course, Tiger protested pretty severely to being wiped with wet stuff and actually tried to nip Alberto last night. Here's to hoping that he adapts to his new regimen (and/or stops producing so much dander in the first place.) I've ordered some special shampoo and the Allerpet/d liquid which should arrive next week. Although, I'm not looking forward to trying to bathe Tiger after Alberto's experience. I know I don't NEED all ten fingers, but I'm still kind of attached to them (and find them rather useful when typing and playing the piano).

I'm going to look into allergy shots for myself and am currently trying a semi-natural approach, taking Quercetin (a bioflavonoid), Vitamin C, Stinging Nettle capsules, and BioAllers homeopathic Animal Hair and Dander formula. I just started the last two this morning and am feeling pretty good (of course, I'm out of the house at work which is at least 50% of the battle.)

I just started back studying as an operatic tenor in February after many years off and have been thrilled with my progress RIGHT UP UNTIL our basenji adoption. Now my nose has been runny and draining into my throat leaving my vocal folds red and raspy. I think Tiger is great though, and he and my partner are totally two peas in a pod (they both love to sleep-in late together and then go freaking wild running around the park.) I'm committed to seeking a reasonable solution... there USUALLY is one. Time will tell. PLEASE keep posting other ideas and suggestions, different things work for different people and since I'm unlikely to "break up with myself," Nina's solution probably isn't going to work for me (Sorry to hear, Nina. At least you've got your Basenji though... that's one heck of a consolation prize.)

Thanks again...

--jerremie

[Robin_n_Jack]

Jerremie-

I studied Musical Theatre through college and my voice teachers and Ear/Nose/Throat doc recommended Flonase and Zyrtec. I loved the Flonase, but the Zyrtec made me really drowsy….although it didn't dry me out as much as the other pills.

Sudafed also makes a pretty good non-drying formula of their antihistamine. I know you are working the homeopathic route right now- hope that works for you, since that it definitely the best for us singers. Only other thing I can say is that Once I was around the pooch for about 6 weeks, I noticed a definite decline in the allergy area.

[renaultf1]

Jeremie…I'm with you about going the homeopathic route...If you should decide to use Flonase at some point, the only thing I would warn is that I had nose bleeds that were bordering on hemorrhaging. If you are prone to nose bleeds, be careful going that route.

Oh, and one thing on the Timberwolf, they changed their formula recently and added chicken fat into a previously all fish based food. In fact, my favourite pet store stopped carrying it because of the change and no advanced warning or advertising of the change (a problem when your pet can't tolerate chicken and it caused some of their customers pets to get sick). Anyway, as soon as the food changed, my boy wouldn't eat it anymore.

[jerremie]

Thanks for the replies.

Robin - I do avoid most prescription and over the counter meds (especially if they'll have to be taken long term) they almost always cause me to dry out or become hyper and jittery, etc. It's cool to find another singer on here! Do you still sing much?

Renault - Thanks for the info on Timberwolf. I specifically bought it after reading TONS and TONS of labels online and making a list of those that didn't contain any chicken products. GREAT… now I'll have to go home and double check the bag I bought to see if it was produced before or after the change. I'm finding it so hard to locate foods that don't have chicken or grain in them in the hopes of reducing Tiger's dander. I'm just not quite ready to go 'raw' yet, but I can't believe how many higher quality feeds still mix lots of different protein sources. I'd much rather rotate through a number of single protein source foods in order to avoid allergies than to have every kind of meat known to man crammed into one food thereby giving my dog the potential to develop allergies to all of them in one fell swoop. SIGH Then again, his skin issues could all be stress related... we'll have to see how he settles in... I'm just trying to be proactive with addressing dietary issues.

[jerremie]

UPDATE: The bag of timberwolf Ocean 6 that I have doesn't list chicken fat in the ingredients. Maybe I should stock up if the store still has more? I'd really like him on a chicken-free, grain-free diet until we get the dander cleared up.

[tanza]

Another one that is grain free and you can get without chicken is EVO

[renaultf1]

Jeremie…lucky that you have one of the ones before the change...I think the chicken fat is about the 4th or 5th ingredient on the label on the new batch. Innova EVO is a great food as Tanza said and they have a non chicken version but they don't have fish. A lot of people here feed their kids EVO with great success. When I switched off Timberwolf Ocean, I put Ruby & Brando on Orijen 6 Fresh Fish...awesome food and BOY do the kids LOVE it...but very expensive.

[jerremie]

Well, thanks for the suggestions renault. I apologize for having listed his food as Timberwolf Ocean 6 (it's really Timberwolf Ocean BLUE)… apparently I've been investigating too many dog foods and they're all blurring together. I may look into the Orijen 6... I went back and found it on one of my lists from when I was trying to narrow this all down. Orijen ranked highly for me, I think it was just that my local specialty store carries timberwolf but DOESN'T carry orijen I may have to order it online (even though I prefer supporting the local guy whenever possible). I'll probably call Timberwolf and give them an earful... I at least like to let a vendor know when they've messed up and lost a customer. It isn't likely to change anything, but it can't hurt either. You never know which complaint will finally put it over the top and pique their interest on any given issue.

Thanks again,

--jerremie

[lvoss]

If there is a brand that you really like but you local store doesn't carry it, talk to the owner. I buy most of my pet food from small local retailers. When they have not had what I wanted, I let them know. Many have been willing to order a specific food for me.

[tanza]

lvoss is right, many of the smaller specialty stores will order for you. Also good is Wellness, they just came out with a new brand that has no grains and ones without chicken fat…

[renaultf1]

@tanza:

lvoss is right, many of the smaller specialty stores will order for you. Also good is Wellness, they just came out with a new brand that has no grains and ones without chicken fat…

Yup, Wellness Core, they also have a fish based food…it is more moderate in protein than EVO or Orijens.

And I third what lvoss & Tanza said about the special order...my favourite store locally said they can pretty much special order any food I want.

[lvoss]

Also Merrick's is releasing a grain free food. I think some retailers are already carrying it. I got a free sample a month ago at the Orange County Pet Expo.

[chiya]

Blue Buffalo carries the Wilderness grain free formula too!!
I would use it if I don't have a Fanconi dog that is not doing
too well on high protein food.

[tanza]

@chiya:

Blue Buffalo carries the Wilderness grain free formula too!!
I would use it if I don't have a Fanconi dog that is not doing
too well on high protein food.

And to that note… isn't it great that we have a Fanconi test now and that if people test before breeding no one ever has to live and care for a Fanconi Affected Basenji again... (as in my monthly public service annoucement)
Remember to strip test monthly (and do it for 3 to 4 days in a row...) and/or do a DNA test for Fanconi

[Tommy360]

I don't know if this helps but the ONLY medications that work for me are a combination of Zyrtec/Nasonex. I've been on everything and that combo works for me. I have pretty bad allergies and have 2 B's with me in the house at all times…

[KiroGurl]

I am allergic to my baby girl too i get red and puffy where she scratches me and i get itchy eys bad…BAD . I find that bathing her once a month with OATMEAL shampoo and then brushing her outside or running my hands throuegh her coat every day (she loves) and giving her her own pillows helps me alot and when i act up I take a benadryl

she seems to be worse in the CAR, when wwe go places, and wheh shes nervous or just dirty. It was worse when she was a puppy but now im fine (1.5 yr later)

[Mucky]

My boyfriend is very allergic to animals, and was miserable until he started taking zyrtec (he's not very allergic to my B, mostly to my cat).
I have tons of allergies to seasonal stuff. I love febreeze allergen reducing spray. Using that along with keeping the house clean (using a vacuum with a hepa filter) is one of the best ways (in my opinion) to keep the allergens down. I also use ALL allergen reducing laundry detergent. I love my ionic air purifier, I noticed a HUGE difference the first day I plugged it in.

[ehl]

Both my sons have allergies diagnosed by a professional allergist and do fine with Basenjis. We have just got our 3rd B two weeks ago and no sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes. I think for you that it MUST be something the dog is bringing in or perhaps your dog is one that performs one particular way and my family lucked out with 3 of the other way. Maybe someday they will have a test like the Fanconi that shows the DNA of this family tree has more dander and the DNA of that heritage has less dander to near none.

I do agree with the smart person that has posted on this site the best idea I have ever heard: rub a t-shirt all over the possible family addition, sleep with the t-shirt, and THEN decide. I know it is too late for you but a good thing to repost for readers.

Good luck with your situation.