Dogs

Question: *gasp* could i be allergic to dogs?

(Posted by: on 2010-09-06 17:05:59)

I'm a dog lover. I love everything and anything having to do with dogs. I love researching canine nutrition, behavior, training techniques, health problems, characteristics of certain breeds, etc. I'm definitely considering going to school to become a veterinary technician, and have already registered to take a dog grooming course as well as applied to various animal shelters. After being asked to babysit my neighbor's puggle, I've noticed having the urge to sneeze after petting him as well as getting very itchy eyes. Could I be allergic to dogs? I always pet dogs, but never had this problem before. Then again, I was babysitting this dog - not just petting it on the street. If I'm going to be working up close with dogs, grooming them and whatnot, I would probably have the same reaction. I own a dog, but it's a non shedding breed so I don't experience any sort of reaction to it. I'm really scared that I could be allergic to dogs as I love them so much and want to pursue a career in working with animals. If I am indeed allergic to dogs, particularly dogs that shed and produce a lot of dander, is there anyway I could still pursue a career as a vet tech/ dog groomer with proper medication that could keep my allergies under control?

Posted by: TyTy on 2010-09-06, 17:08:11

Well maybe you weren't used to the way the other dog would shed. Maybe it irritated your eyes a little

Posted by: Shelby on 2010-09-06, 17:09:37

You could be allgeric to dust.

Posted by: Lizzie on 2010-09-06, 17:11:37

Get allergy tested before you panic. It might be "hay fever " or some sort of seasonal allergy that you can take care of with OTC drugs. I knew a woman with three children who were all allergic to dogs but they all got their allergy shots and kept a big hairy dog named Prince quite happily. A friend was married to a man who was a baker by profession, and he was allergic to flour dust. He never quit the work he loved, he wore a surgical mask. You can pursue the career you want, too.