Allergies: Guinea Pig Allergy

[alexb]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding allergies and Guinea Pigs and hoped someone with a similar experience may be able to help.

I have had my Guinea Pigs for about 4 months now and they are a welcome addition to my home. The only problem is that over the last few weeks I have been sneezing often, several times a day and over the last week have had a bunged up nose and cold and cough.

I assumed that this was the usual seasonal cold coming into play however I read in these forums someone having to stop using Megazorb bedding because they had developed an allergy to it. I figured I may as well see if that what was happening to me.

I took an antihistamine on Saturday night and about 10 mins later all my symptoms disappeared almost like someone turning a switch off. It's now Monday night and having not sneezed once yesterday, had a sniffle or anything I've started again and my nose is getting the cold symptoms.

I'm guessing therefore that I am either allergic to the piggies (I hope not), the Megazorb bedding or simply the hay. I do get hayfever but not sure which type of pollen/grass I am allergic to.

Has anyone else developed similar problems and if so what was it that turned out to be the culprit?

I've just popped another antihistamine so I'll see if my symptoms go again.

Thanks All,
Alex

[Toadies]

I'm allergic to my piggies as well and my solution has been to do cleaning, hay and cuddling in the evening , take an antihistamine and go to bed. I changed to fleece mostly for the piggs, but that might help your problem. Also, some people are less allergic to orchard grass than timothy. You could also wear a mask when you work with them. I hope that you find something that works well for you.

[javim121]

My ex had an interesting way of telling if she could have a pet. She suffered from severe asthma and allergies. She would pick up the pet and hold it to her nose and breathe in deep to see if she had a reaction. Not really the safest way to do it but it helped her decide if she could have chinchillas.

[akstrohm]

It's most likely that you're allergic to the hay or bedding.

Fleece is the best bedding for allergies. If you're not familiar with it, read the Fleece Project sticky in the bedding section.

Kleenmama's bluegrass hay is one of the best for people with allergies. Otherwise get the least dusty hay you can find. You can put hay in brown paper bags ahead of time (or have someone else do it for you) and just put a bag in the cage when needed. This will cut down even more on dust.

I know you didn't mention this, but don't bathe your pigs too often (no more than once every 6 months). They're probably not the reason you have allergies, so bathing is unlikely to help, and it will only make their skin dry.

[bamby71994]

I am allergic to my guinea pigs too, I just hold them with a blanket and always wash my hands afterward. But I don't get what you guys normally get, my right eye becomes swollen and droopy, and only my right. Best of luck, even though I am allergic I would never give my pigs to anyone.

[javim121]

Would adding an air filter to the room help? They are not too expensive at wal-mart and target and should help with some of the allegens.

[poopysmom]

I change to fleece and towels because I have the occasional hayfever but I don't know what kind of pollen etc I am allergic to either. So far, changing to towels and pellet litter has help me immensely. I only get itchy runny nose when I am sweeping up the dust during cleaning and also when I am shaking the fleece and towels out before washing. Then I just hold the towel outside my laundry room and I stand behind the door and give the fleece and towels a shake.

Also, I find a moist cloth wrapped around your nose while cleaning is quite helpful. It greatly cuts down the reaction. I have no need for antihistamines so far. Pretty sure I am not allergic to piggies just the bedding dust.

[GizzyandMe]

I went for scratch tests to find out what I had and it turned out that I am allergic to the protein present in Guinea Pig dander and saliva.

My symptoms are also swollen eyes, a difficulty with breathing as well as a rash anywhere that Gizzy's hair touched bare sensitive skin (like my neck and such)

Between my Vet and Doctor we got the solution. I take FexoFast 120mg every morning and Gizzy gets a bath once a month. I use a small animal shampoo - Byofresh - that is not harsh on her skin and has added aloe to sooth her skin. When I bath her I take an additional FexoFast. I also vacuum the house everyday as she is on free range and so far it works for us! :-)

[yaqcubper]

Yeah I got my piggies last Sunday (not the one that just passed) and the Timothy Hay I got for them on Saturday makes my eyes and arms itch all over after I add more to my piggies' cage. I have to have my boyfriend or friend put it in for me or I just put some in and then go over to the bathroom and wash my hands and face with cold water and a little soap.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Have you read Allergies ?

Orchard or bluegrass hay usually is easier on allergy sufferers. Timothy hay causes issues more often.

[alexb]

Thank you for all your replies, they have been very helpful and I am so pleased that so many of you have responded to this.

It's a strange one because when I'm handling the piggies or cleaning the cage out my symptoms don't get any worse and I don't suddenly start having an allergic reaction which I'd expect.

It just seems that something is in the air maybe that's causing me to sneeze and get a cold but one would think that being near the piggies and cleaning out the cage would make symptoms worse but it doesn't seem to change anything.

The hay I use is meadow hay and the bedding is Megazorb but I think it's this rather than the animals that could be the problem.

Has anyone else had problems with the Megazorb? I will try changing the hay and see if that helps but where I live I can only seem to be able to buy Meadow hay.

[music91]

I am EXTREAMLY alergic to my piggies. I get asthma, itchy bumbs with skin contact, and my eyes itch like crazy if I don't wash my hands. At first I was so upset! I loved my piggies and there was no way I could give them up! So I compromised. First off do not keep the piggies in your room or let them have free run in your room. Get an air filter for by the cage or/and in your room so you can breathe easier. When the weather is acceptable keep your windows open help with air flow. When holding your piggies, wear a "piggie bathrobe." Just get a bathrobe/sweatshirt that covers your clothing and arms. This way you will not get piggie hair/dander on your clothing and will prevvent itchy skin (if you have that issue). Also I have to wear a dust mask (found at walgreens and hardware stores). It EMENSLEY helped with my asthma. Keep the bag of hay outside and fill up the hay basket outside. Most people notice irritation from the dusty hay. I get extream asthma from this and have to have my family members fill up the hay, so if you can get someone else to do the hay that would be helpful. I also use a sheet of fleece with towels underneath for the bedding because the dusty store bedding irritated my allergies. You have to change it every 3-4 days but I think its worth it.

You can also go to an allergist to get tested for guinea pig allergies and you CAN get guineapig immuno-therapy allergy shots. They help desensitize you to the guinea pig allergy. You can learn more about this from your allergist.

Two things you should also know... Guinea pig allergins are in their URINE! My allergist told me about this and now I'm sure to be careful when I clean the cage, I wear my bathrobe and dust mask. Also I have found that personally, bathing guinea pigs does not help with allergies at all.

GOOD LUCK!! You do NOT have to give up your piggies if you are committed enough!!!

[GizzyandMe]

Originally Posted by music91

Guinea pig allergins are in their URINE!

Actually you can be allergic to different aspects of your Guinea Pig NOT just the Urine. I am NOT allergic to their Urine I am however allergic to their Dander (skin/hair) and their saliva.

The best is to do what I did, pack everything in your trunk head off to your doctor and get him to work out what to test you for.