[montyp]

Hi everyone. We have been to see some puppies today (F1) - they were gorgeous. One problem has arisen and I am not sure whether I should be taking it more seriously. My daughter was giving one of the puppies a cuddle when he wriggled and scratched her arm. Her arm became very itchy and a rash (like a stinging nettle rash) appeared along the scratch. This has happened twice in the past few weeks with 2 other puppies (along the scratches). She's generally fine with other dogs and sees my sister's labrador often. She does have asthma but we are in the process of reducing her medication as she seems to be growing out of it. We do have a cat which occasionally can make her eyes itchy but nothing major.
Any ideas please?
I would hate to get him and then have to return him as that would be totally heartbreaking.

 

[Lilies]

Sounds like a very typical hives rash so allergy... Would ask to spend time with pups again and see what happens also try to spend time in an enclosed space with an adult dog, eg sit with her and dog in a car for at least 45 mins to see if any reaction, let her cuddle dog and get licked so u see if allergy to saliva etc... You don't say where u are based....
Do err on the side of caution even if it means missing out on this set of puppies xx

 

[montyp]

Hi. Thanks for replying. We live in Norfolk. It took us over 2 hours to drive to breeders but I will see if we can go again before we make a decision. My sister has just got a puppy (one of the other pups which caused a reaction) so I'm going to do some experiments using her first to see if it just happens when she's scratched or if it happens with saliva (although I don't think so). I will phone the doctors to see if I can get her tested.
Do puppies set off more allergic reactions than grown up dogs?!!

 

[wellerfeller]

Scratching and nipping can cause allergic reaction, this obviously happens a lot with young puppies but as they grow into adults the chances of getting scratched or nipped should be virtually zero so this may be why she is ok with older dogs.This stage can last quite a while so you are right to be thinking seriously about your puppy.
Do you know of any older F1 crosses your daughter could spend some time with?

 

[sharplesfamily]

Oh no it definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. It sounds like you are being extremely sensible and testing the situation again before you committ further. It's one thing you suffering with an allergy but another thing altogether when it's your child. I agree that puppies scratch, and they scratch a lot. My sons have even been scratched on the face,completely accidentally. I would to see your daughter get into a situation where she is afraid of being with the puppy because of the discomfort a scratch will cause. That said, it doesn't last forever. Luna is now 5 mths old & we haven't been scratched for weeks. You could always ask the breeder to keep the puppy (if you choose to get one) for a few weeks past 8 weeks so that the scratching period is reduced? We didn't collect Luna until 11 weeks... Of course if she is also allergic to the saliva then that's another problem.

Keep us posted, we'll keep our fingers xd for you x

 

[Mogdog]

I agree it's sensible to spend time with an adult dog (with a mature coat) as it's usually the dander (dead skin cells) that cause dog allergies in people.

My son has asthma and ezcema and is allergic to many animals (some worse than others). We made sure he spent time with an adult cockapoo ... he buried his face in its coat, lots of cuddling, was licked (to check for saliva allergy). He was absolutely fine with a cockapoo ... although not fine with other poodle crosses we tried. I didn't want to bring an animal into the house that he would be even slightly allergic to.

Cockapoos produce less dander than many other dogs, and are low shedding (so what little dander there it gets retained, not spread around) ... these qualities are inherited from the poodle. Even so there is no guarantee they will be allergen-free.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

 

[Mogdog]

Just a thought ... is the litter's mother a cocker spaniel? Could be the puppy has allergens from mum therefore it's not a true allergy test to see pup. Also mum may have more allergens than usual as hormones play a part I think. One breeder we wanted to visit to test for allergies suggested we wait till her cockapoo was not in season as she would have more allergens due to hormones when in season.

Also, if you have a choice of puppy, go for one with a curlier coat as this may mean it will have a more "poodly" coat than "cocker" ... and may shed less.

 

[montyp]

Thanks again for all your kind and helpful words and sorry for not replying sooner ... busy with halloween. Well I am feeling more positive today as my daughter spent some time with my sisters puppy wearing long sleeves and didn't have a reaction. She was licked loads by her on her hand, so it doesn't appear to be saliva. We will spend more time there (my sister will be sick of us!!!!). I don't know any cockapoos around here so can't arrange anything. My daughters piano teacher has a cocker spaniel which has never caused any reaction so it really must be the scratch/puppy thing, which I am thinking we could deal with. Long sleeves and allergy medicine if it occurs. Will keep you informed and many thanks again.