Dogs Help Fight Asthma In Your Children
Although having an animal at home generates some discomfort for certain people, shedding of hair, allergies and some other incidence, it has also been shown that they provide many benefits. In a study carried out at the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, the link between having a dog at home and the decrease in the chances of having asthma in family members, as well as the improvement in case of suffering from it, has been shown.
A well-known cause of respiratory tract infections in children and infants is the so-called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For example, in the United States more than half of children contract this virus during their first year of life. The consequence of this virus is the long-term side effect of asthma. It has been proven that having dogs in homes can prevent this problem in the future.
Analyzes conducted on dogs and asthma in children
To carry out the tests, we worked with three groups of mice: one exposed to RSV, a group fed with house dust with dogs and then administered the virus, and a control group free of the virus.
The individuals exposed to the dust did not show the symptoms of the effect of the viruses, such as inflammation and mucus production, in addition to gastrointestinal disturbances.
The consequences of these analyzes are clear: the microbes in the dust associated with dogs can colonize the gastrointestinal tract and create an immune response and protect the host against the pathogen that causes asthma. These tests are a first step in locating microbial species that protect against this respiratory pathogen.
With regard to cats, similar results have not been achieved in households with one of these felines.
Dog hair is good for asthma in your child
Contrary to what is often thought, the animal’s hair is not so much to blame for allergies suffered by members of the household. These problems are more likely to be caused by skin flakes, saliva, urine debris, and even pet feathers. Although the hair is not a problem directly, it can accumulate dust mites, mold and other agents that can cause allergies.
Solutions for asthma in your children
One of the possible solutions to alleviate allergy symptoms are air purifiers, as they use filters that remove particles that are in the atmosphere, including animal dander. A study on the use of air filters in the bedroom yielded surprising data, as it can surprisingly reduce allergens that come from cats and dogs.
When there are young children at home with asthma, when considering the possibility of having a dog, very negative effects are anticipated. However, although it is true that most dogs produce and shed particles called dander or pollen that can be harmful to people with asthma and allergies, there are some breeds of dogs that produce it to a lesser extent, being even beneficial for asthmatic children.
In a breed analysis we can find the Yorkshire Terrier, Irish Terrier, American Terrier, Maltese, Chihuahua, etc. Although these benefits have been proven, if the child has a highly developed asthma, it is best to consult the veterinarian before introducing the animal at home.
The chihuahua
It is a popular belief that these little dogs are credited with curing asthmatics. Although there may be some benefits, the total cure has not been scientifically proven, although most pulmonologists do not rule it out.
Throughout the Internet it is easy to find different sites where asthmatic patients grateful to their Chihuahuas share experiences about this belief, they even recommend these dogs as the ideal pet for homes where there are children with asthma, as the benefits will be evident after a weather.
Chihuahuas measure between 15 and 23 centimeters and weigh between one and three kilos. Among its most outstanding characteristics is its very rounded head, shaped like an apple, its pointed ears and a very long tail that is usually always arched or placed in a semicircle with the final point directed towards the back.
