Guinea sisters in Illinois need new home

[Lorvoll]

Due to my guinea pigs being the source of my family's allergy induced asthyma, I am having to re-home them. I'd like to find a home for the girls first. I have two long hair sisters. Patches is dark brown with an orange band and Pumpkin ir orange with a white band. They're about 2 yrs old. They LOVE timothy hay, however I have only been giving them the compressed cubes for the past week to see if it would lessen our reaction. They miss their unlimited timothy hay terribly.

I'm attaching a picture. They're a wonderful set of girls and deserve to find a loving home. We'll miss them immensely.
Lori

[JennG]

They're so adorable. If I hadn't already committed to my three sweeties, I'd consider. I really hope they find a good home. Good luck!!

[aqh88]

I have too many guinea pigs as it is but if allergies are your problem I've been through all that and still have 9 guinea pigs. If your problem is with timothy hay then use something else. Many people can't be around timothy hay. Out of all the hays it probably has the most allergens. Bluegrass, orchardgrass, brome, and bermuda are some other popular hays that cause alot less allergy problems. The first 2 are pig favorites and can be bought from www.kmshayloft.com or www.oxbowhay.com and oxbow can be found in some stores. Same with bedding. If you have an allergy to your current bedding there are tons of other options. I had to try alot of options to find something that didn't give me sinus infections with high fevers and have my boyfriend coughing, sneezing, and telling me he's going to die. The most difficult guinea pig allergy to solve is to their urine but even that can usually be managed. Hay and bedding allergies are the most common and not all that hard to fix.

[Lorvoll]

Let me ask you this... I removed all trace of timothy hay about 1 week ago. I guess I was expecting instant results from doing so, but maybe it's too hasty??? I have to say that I have improved, but not altogether allergy free. My one daughter is still coughing after going downstairs, but she's not on meds as I am. If I can clear up her allergy cough without having to put her on prescription meds, then I'd be most happy and my piggie girls would remain here.

I tend to still think we have a dander problem, but maybe not... I've sprayed them once with a dander/allergen controlling spray made by Nature's Miracle, after giving them all baths.

How long do you think it would take for the air and vicinity to be deemed allergen free after removing the hay?
I'm open to any and all suggestions to try.

Lori

[aqh88]

Around a week should be enough especially if you vacuum the floor. If your still using hay cubes be warned that they aren't much improvement over actual timothy. Most people allergic to timothy are allergic to alfalfa and the cubes won't help. Chris can't go in the room if I leave a bag of hay cubes open. They also aren't very healthy for your pigs especially alfalfa ones. Adult pigs shouldnt' have alfalfa.

It's actually very few people that are allergic to guinea pig hay and dander. Most that are actually allergic to the guinea pigs themselves are allergic to the proteins in the urine. In that case you want to try bedding that isn't dusty and won't carry the urine up into the air. Using layers of fleece and other fabric instead of bedding is great for allergies if you have a vacuum with a hepa filter and are willing to do the daily maintenance. As well as having a washing machine that can handle all the laundry.

A very useful nonprescription spray that is not addictive and contains no antihistamines is sino fresh. I noticed they are selling it in stores like walmart and walgreens now. I got mine from the national allergy supply store and now my boyfriend has been using it too. It's antibacterial, antifungal moisturizing spray that cleans allergens out of your nose and sinuses. If you use it twice a day it helps keep your nose clear so you don't have mucous going down your throat and causing coughs or Chris kept getting something very similar to strep throat. Also if your nose is clean it's more effective at stopping allergens before they reach your sinuses so simply using any saline nasal cleaning spray can help will all allergies.

[RyanR]

I have all boys otherwise I would take them.

[Lorvoll]

Hi Ryan,
I was wondering if you'd be interested - I've read posting where you were admiring silkies, and these two girls are really beautiful!

[kittnkarr]

Lorvoll,


Hi... I just PM'd you a message. Please let me know if you received it.

Thank you

kittn