Allergies Need No Dog Gone Solution

[Burkes]

Allergies need no dog gone solution

BY PETER JEAN, HEALTH REPORTER

14 Jun, 2011 04:00 AM

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Animal welfare agencies regularly receive calls from worried expectant parents who are considering surrendering a pet before their baby is born.

But keeping a cat or dog at home during the first year of an infant's life may reduce the chances of them developing an allergy to pets.

The results of a study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy, concluded that keeping pets in the home did not increase children's chances of becoming allergic.

Blood samples taken from 565 18-year-olds in the United States showed that young men whose families had an indoor dog during their first year of life had a 50 per cent lower risk than other men of becoming sensitised to dogs.

Men and women were about half as likely to be sensitised to cats if they lived with a cat during the first 12 months of life.

''The first year of life is the critical period during childhood when indoor exposure to dogs or cats influences sensitisation to these animals,'' the authors concluded.

The findings were no surprise to RSPCA staff member Maarit Maher, who gave birth to her first child Elli six weeks ago.

Ms Maher, who owns two cats and two dogs, began searching for information about health and safety for babies in families with pets after she fell pregnant.

The information was used as the basis for an RSPCA brochure on introducing pets to new babies.

Ms Maher said many pregnant women assumed that they would have to get rid of their pets and others had trouble with their animals' behaviour after a baby was born.

''By the time the RSPCA see people, they're ready to surrender their animals,'' she said.

Ms Maher added a screen door to Elli's room to keep the cats out but ensured the curious pets were able to thoroughly inspect the new baby furniture after it was set up.

The RSPCA's advice about pets and new babies can be found online here.

[poodlefan]

Blood samples taken from 565 18-year-olds in the United States showed that young men whose families had an indoor dog during their first year of life had a 50 per cent lower risk than other men of becoming sensitised to dogs.

Note the significant qualifier.

[Burkes]

Blood samples taken from 565 18-year-olds in the United States showed that young men whose families had an indoor dog during their first year of life had a 50 per cent lower risk than other men of becoming sensitised to dogs.

Note the significant qualifier.

Hence why I pile all three dogs and two cats in the bed with me. Never had an allergy in my life :D