Keepers with Asthma/Allergies?

[bluemerle]

Hello! I'm doing some research about pet pigeons kept indoors, and I'm just wondering if there's anyone who has experience with keeping pigeons while having allergies/allergy-based asthma. I've kept ducks in the house with no issue, and dogs and cats, and I'm currently on two different allergy medications (Singulair & Benadryl) which keep me pretty comfortable, breathing-wise.

However, I do know that pigeons are dusty. And I've had no experience with keeping other non-duck birds in the house. I'm just curious if anyone has managed both allergies & keeping pet birds at the same time.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I have no experience with either indoor pigeons, or allergies. But the main concern is the dust they create. That is what the pigeons "shed" as a dog or a cat would. @ElisaDove81 has an allergy to Rhinebeck doves, she may be more helpful.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I use dust masks no matter what I do with chickens. That might be a help to you. I know nothing about pigeons other than my grandpa used to raise and show them.

 

[ElisaDove81]

Hello! I'm doing some research about pet pigeons kept indoors, and I'm just wondering if there's anyone who has experience with keeping pigeons while having allergies/allergy-based asthma. I've kept ducks in the house with no issue, and dogs and cats, and I'm currently on two different allergy medications (Singulair & Benadryl) which keep me pretty comfortable, breathing-wise.

However, I do know that pigeons are dusty. And I've had no experience with keeping other non-duck birds in the house. I'm just curious if anyone has managed both allergies & keeping pet birds at the same time.

Yes, I recently bought a white ringneck dove to keep as a pet inside my house. I found out I was very allergic to her and had to re-home her. My lungs would close up whenever I was around her. I have never had asthma before so I went to the doctor, and he told me I didn't have actual asthma but an allergic reaction to the dust of the dove. I have been taking medication for the allergy but even after a week since re-homing the dove I am still having symptoms, I am guessing my lungs may take awhile to go back to normal. I have had other species of birds in the past but never had a problem with allergies like I had with the ringneck dove. I had no idea doves were so dusty. I think pigeons are just as dusty. I would probably be careful buying this species of bird and keeping it indoor if you have asthma or allergies, as the dust on their wings may cause a reaction like it did with me.

 

[bluemerle]

Yes, I recently bought a white ringneck dove to keep as a pet inside my house. I found out I was very allergic to her and had to re-home her. My lungs would close up whenever I was around her. I have never had asthma before so I went to the doctor, and he told me I didn't have actual asthma but an allergic reaction to the dust of the dove. I have been taking medication for the allergy but even after a week since re-homing the dove I am still having symptoms, I am guessing my lungs may take awhile to go back to normal. I have had other species of birds in the past but never had a problem with allergies like I had with the ringneck dove. I had no idea doves were so dusty. I think pigeons are just as dusty. I would probably be careful buying this species of bird and keeping it indoor if you have asthma or allergies, as the dust on their wings may cause a reaction like it did with me.

I guess that answers my question! I'm sorry you had such a rough time with your dove - I had a really terrible flare up back in 2016, so I know how not-fun it is not being able to breathe. Thank you for the response!

 

[ElisaDove81]

I guess that answers my question! I'm sorry you had such a rough time with your dove - I had a really terrible flare up back in 2016, so I know how not-fun it is not being able to breathe. Thank you for the response!

Yes it was really bad, I couldn't breathe and it scared me, I have never had that before, and I have had parakeets too, but they never bothered me. I even had a dog and a cat and I never was like that with any of them. I have no idea why I reacted like that with the ringneck dove, especially since my own kids weren't bothered by her. Maybe my body was just allergic to her specific dust? I have no idea. I guess it wasn't meant to be She was so sweet too, I wish it would have worked out, but now I am trying to find another bird that won't bother me like that.

 

[PigeonLady]

I am allergic to pigeon dust, as well as the usual cats, pollen, dust mites, etc. I went to an allergist a few years ago who tested me to find out exactly what I was allergic to. He made a special serum that I took to my own doctor. I had to go once a week for the shots, which was inconvenient, but after about 3 years, I am no longer bothered by the allergies and can keep anything I want.