Home Needed for two boys in VT

[widallas]

We just got the worst news. Long story short, we had noticed our son was having something of a reaction when he was spending time with Louis and Acorn, the two guinea pigs that we adopted back in May. We hadn't noticed for a while since he hadn't reacted at all to them when we first brought the boys home, and had not had significant reactions to animals in general. We talked to our pediatrician, who sent him to Burlington for tests; sure enough, he had a severe reaction to cats and a significant reaction to dogs and other "furry mammals". The doctor's exact works were, "If it's warm blooded, we wouldn't recommend it." He told us that his allergies will probably become more pronounced with time and with repeated exposure, so we have to find a new home for Louis and Acorn.

It's awful -- the boys just love Louis and Acorn -- but we want to find them the best home possible. If anyone in the VT/NH/ME area is looking, we have two lovely, bonded boars with a complete C&C cage set-up that are yours....you would just have to go through Amiable Animals adoption process.

[Slap Maxwell]

I am so sorry. I know how much you loved them.

Maybe open your home to a rescue iguana, turtle, or snake as another option.

[Susan9608]

What about just treating your child for allergies? I have a violent allergy to all fur-bearing animals, and have been since I was a child, but am symptom free with allery medication.

There is allergra, clariton, zyrtec, flonase, nasonex, rhinocort, nasocort ... not to mention allergy shots. It's hard to give up a pet, I know ... so maybe treating the allergies would be an option.

[aqh88]

Chris and I are both allergic to guinea pigs and have 10 of them without any major problems. Occasionally Chris has a reaction and starts sneezing for awhile or I'll get an itchy spot on my arm maybe once a month but worse than that happens when I weed the garden or stack hay for the horses. Try reading http://cavyspirit.com/allergies.htm and asking about allergy shots before making a decision. Many people find ways to live with their allergies instead of giving up their furry pets. I've had bad allergies all my life but haven't stopped any of my outdoor activities or given up on keeping any pet.

[widallas]

I appreciate your suggestions on allergy treatments, etc. Like I said in my email to Amy (of Amiable Animals, where we got L & A), we have been racking our brains for a few weeks now to try and figure out options. Koby's reaction was quite extreme to the skin tests, and I just don't think it's fair for me to ask my six year old to face a course of treatment that might involve shots, medications, etc. We took in two guinea pigs expecting to keep them for the rest of their lives, and my son feels responsible for our having to find another home for them -- this was not a decision we made easily. We have minimized talking to him about it to lessen the feelings of "guilt" (for lack of another word) that he feels, and I don't want this to turn into a melodrama that ends badly. If he were older, I would feel he had a real input into the decision -- for now, I just don't think it would be fair. I'm just hopeful that we can find a good home for Louis and Acorn.

[widallas]

Good news! I think my brother and sister-in-law are willing to serve as surrogate piggie parents -- at least I know my kids will get liberal visitation right!!! They will be topping the cage to cat-proof, but I think the arrangement will work out well.

[Funnygpigs]

Good news! Congrats. I think that you should never keep a pet at the risk of your health. People are far too quik to start popping pills with no idea what those "magical pills" are doing to their organs.

[Emily F.]

Did you find a home for them yet? If not, I'm looking for 2 pigs to be a companion with my other single boar. I live in Vermont.