Dog Allergy Advice?

My son (13 months) was just diagnosed with an allergy to dogs. We were told to give 5ml of Claritin before spending time around dogs and to avoid spending too much time indoors in homes with dogs and not to sleep over in homes with dogs. Even with the Claritin we were told that his allergy was serious and to watch him closely for breathing issues.

I am having a very hard time with this news as one set of DS's grandparents live in Michigan (only sees them a few times a year) and the other set has two large dogs. I don't want his allergy to prohibit him from spending time at his grandparents house with his cousins. I also don't want him to have to be medicated every time we visit.

Any other parents in a similar situation with any advice?

Re: Dog Allergy Advice?

My DS has a dog allergy, only to certain dogs, whether they fur or hair. When I had him tested his allergy wasn't that bad.
Now, when we go to someones house and they have a dog, after about an hour DS will start getting that cough that comes with allergies and before you know it he has sneezing fits. Sometimes, if there is a lot of dander on the furniture or couch and DS is on it, his eyes have become almost swollen shut.

Allergies are really trial and error. You really won't know how bad his allergy is until he a reaction. See how he before you give him something and take it from there,