We LOVE talking about pets in this space, and not only because they're part of our family: Taking care of them is good for our collective spiritual and physical health.
That said, I've gotten into trouble before with dog-loving members of my family for a late January post I wrote about a medium-sized pooch potentially having a larger carbon footprint than a Toyota SUV. I don't expect this latest post about elevating your child's chances of asthma by owning a dog will improve my peacetime chances for détente anytime soon.
Long story short, based on a study of some 380 children with a history of asthma in their pet-owning families, kids exposed to high levels of dog allergens were more likely at age 7 to be diagnosed with asthma. Scientists believe the culprit may be endotoxin. These microscopic invaders generated by bacteria can cause inflammation in a child's airways, perhaps, because continued exposure to dogs doesn't confer an immune response. On the other hand, researchers found no connection between a kid's asthma risks and exposure to cat allergens.
Which is why researchers believe families should base their decisions to own pets on their desire to have them, not on the potential asthma risk. And, for the record, I've been diagnosed with asthma in recent years, but would sooner cut off my right hand than to give up any of our four-legged family members. Pay a visit to the your local branch of the Anti-Cruelty Society, however, and you'll find many folks have given up their cats for that very reason.
By the way, if you haven't noticed, I'm always on the lookout for very unique and fun pictures of pets to grace these random blog posts, like the one of Wrigley taken by my pal Kristen Siebecker. If you have a picture of Fido you've always wanted to share with the world, feel free to send them to my attention at waynebeamer.cnca@att.net. All responses will be acknowledged, and you'll receive the proper credit if and when we use them.
Can't wait to see 'em…
Image source: Kristen Siebecker of her beloved Wrigley
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology March 19, 2010
KDKA.com April 9, 2010
MSNBC April 7, 2010