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Respectful Co-existence - Allergies

Animals affected

Dogs, Cats

Range

Internacional

AREA OF FAADA ACTIVITY

Spain

Description

Approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats, but that doesn’t mean that you should get rid of your pet at the first signs of symptoms. It is possible to live with a pet even though you are allergic to it. It is not complicated, you just have to take a few precautions. 

Why are allergies produced?

Animal allergens are proteins which, when breathed in or make contact with the skin, produce an allergic reaction which makes the organism produce histamine. Histamine may cause swelling and irritation and give rise to symptoms typical of hay fever and asthma.  

If you get any of these symptoms, keep calm. Unfortunately, there are still many doctors that recommend getting rid of the dog or cat as the only palliative measure. That is a quick, unethical solution which has dire consequences both for the humans and the animals involved. Firstly, because there is an emotional bond for both which breaks with abandonment and from which the animal will never fully recover. Secondly, it adds to the already overcrowded sanctuaries for abandoned animals, when it could be avoided with a few precautions.

It has been shown that living with an animal during the first year of life reduces the chance of developing allergies in the future, as it strengthens the immunity system. Children often get over allergies as they grow up.

Below we introduce you to some precautions you can take if you are in this situation. They don’t cure the allergy but help to keep the allergenic responses under control and make co-habitation possible and more bearable.  

At home

  • It is important not to let the animal into the bedroom of the person with the allergy. That way they can sleep without mites and get some rest during a bad spell.
  • Clean and ventilate the house frequently, use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. It is essential to remove dust and clean the areas where the animal spends most of its time.
  •  Use hypoallergenic covers for mattresses and pillows to avoid a build up of allergens. Wash them frequently.
  • Put air purifiers all around the home. There are several brands and models that capture the particles which are suspended in the air (about €100).
  • Avoid home furnishings, such as curtains, carpets, rugs, non-functional decorations, etc., which may trap dust.
  • Wash the animal’s bed as often as possible.
  • There are highly-disinfectant floor cleaners, formulated with molecules that reduce the effects of the allergy. The molecules are dispersed around the room where they search out the allergenic particles, wrap around them and push them to the floor to destroy them.

Before deciding to get rid of an animal we should think of him/her and not forget the commitment we made when we brought them into our family. It is possible to live comfortably with an animal, despite having an allergy. All that is needed is to have a good understanding of the allergic condition and carry out a few preventative measures.

 

Our action

  • We raise people's awareness so that they know how to improve the conditions of the animal they are sharing with.
  • We put pressure on and collaborate with the authorities so that they carry out prevention campaigns.
  • We publish articles with useful information and advice so that anyone can put what they have learnt into practice.
  • On our website Soy Responsable we publish all year long a list of veterinary centres that offer low prices.
  • We carry out a yearly campaign of identification and sterilisation with which we have managed to help out more than 100,000 animals in 9 years (2012 - 2020).

What can you do?

  • Have a medical study on the extent of the allergy. There are vaccinations that can prevent or alleviate symptoms like sneezing and coughing, hay fever and allergic asthma. It is not necessary to apply a vaccination for each allergen, each person can administer their own personalised mix of various allergens in one vaccination, periodically over time.  
  • There are other treatments against allergies which, despite being symptomatic (antihistamines, nasal sprays, inhalers, etc.) we should make sure we take them regularly and not only when we have an allergic attack, always under medical supervision.
  • Wash your hands after touching your pet. There are also anti-allergenic cleaning products for clothes and carpets.
  • There are some non-toxic lotions on the market which encapsulate the allergens of the dander and diminish its concentration by 15-20%. They are applied to the animal’s fur once a week. Before applying it is a good idea to comb the animal carefully, so that as many hairs as possible are removed. Later, wet a cloth with the topical lotion and rub into the animal’s skin carefully, first going with the fur and then against it. One of these products is Vetriderm, a topical lotion for external use on dogs and cats.
  • Brush the animal once a week, even more during moulting season. It is best to do so in the open air away from the home. This should also be done regularly, it is very good for the animal.      
  • A diet rich in essential nutrients and fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6) helps to keep its fur moist and reduces falling dander. Foodstuffs with too much corn or wheat may be bad for the animal’s digestion and cause further falling of hair and dander.

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