Asthma+Guinea Pigs=?

[guineapigsrock1]

Hi! It's me again back with another question (most likely more important than my first one). Today, I went to the docter because of a bad cough. The Doctor said I have early signs of asthma. On the car ride home, my mom said, "You know, if you do have asthma, you can't get a guinea pig." That made me a little upset. Not that I don't trust my mom but I want answers from people who have, and have had, guinea pigs. So, if I actualy have asthma, does that mean I can't have a guinea pig? I've been looking forward to getting one since January and I don't want asthma to get in the way. Please help!

[Kim37040]

I am asthmatic (for like 15 years) and have bad allergies. I personally do not have any issue with the pigs, but I do have problems with their hay. As long as I am taking my medication as prescribed (singulair, clarinex, advair), I do ok.
Hopefully someone else can share their experiences with you.
Good luck!

[Kel0123]

**I have asthma, dogs, and guinea pigs and do just fine. I do take advair and an occasional allergy med on the bad days. That said, I do have VERY bad reactions to cats. Every person is different and can have their asthma triggered by all sorts of allergens. I would suggest going to a local shelter or rescues and see if they need help cleaning cages or someone to spend time with a guinea pig. Then you will beable to see how you react to them and maybe even fall in love with some cuties who need a good home. Good luck!

[Kel0123]

I have asthma, dogs, and guinea pigs and do just fine. I do take advair and an occasional allergy med on the bad days. That said, I do have VERY bad reactions to cats. Every person is different and can have their asthma triggered by all sorts of allergens. I would suggest going to a local shelter or rescues and see if they need help cleaning cages or someone to spend time with a guinea pig. Then you will beable to see how you react to them and maybe even fall in love with some cuties who need a good home. Good luck!

[guineapigsrock1]

Thanks. Had my first puff of Advair today (YUCK!) and my singular tasted like medicine cherry (eeeewww). When I told my mom about how GPs don't effect asthmatic people to bad she, jokingly, said darn. This is a good thing because my mom and dad both have asthma too. Only one that doesn't have it is my sister. DAAARN YOOOU. (Just kidding ) So I think we will be ok now.

[Deb's4Pigs]

Maybe you could foster a couple to see if they bother you. I have bad allergies and have dogs and rabbits and am a dog groomer. The timothy hay bothers me but not the pigs. But, some people they bother.

[lissie]

Fostering is a great idea. I have asthma too and I finally had an allergy test done. My test confirms I'm allergic to the guinea pigs. I'm doing everything I can, taking oral meds and inhalers. My doctor recommended that I find them a new home, but I couldn't do that.

If your parents are asthmatic, and gets allergic to your guinea pigs, it would make it harder to accept the pigs into the family. They might not want to help pay for vets and etc. Fostering will give you some ideas if you and your family members have allergic reactions.

[Nicolene]

I have asthma, was diagnosed last year, I will say this, I am not allergic to the pigs (very allergic to cats, only slightly to dogs) but I have trouble with the hay. My issues with hay only seems to come up when I am already asthmatic (bad days) and not so much in fall or winter, so buy small batches of different grass hays if you are affected in any way by any one. I've read people have had luck with bluegrass. I will try that after we work through our 100lbs of orchard hay. YOU may not have hay allergies, but if you do, you will feel, you can feel like all your lungs want is to get away from this trigger.

Good luck! I agree with the others, try fostering first...

[Camerafreak]

My mother and sister both have asthma and can't get enough of my pigs! They spend a lot of time in my room talking to them and holding them and they don't have any episodes durring or after holding them. The only thing is almost all hay is pretty dusty so maybe you could have some sort of air purifier thing... if that makes sense? like this. If you google "home air purifier" there are some cheaper ones that you could use. I'm thinking about getting one for myself too!

[guineapigsrock1]

I know for a fact my mom's not affected. She is rarely effected by anything. My dad's sister had guinea pigs when they were younger and he said he was fine. My asthma isn't that bad. Its usaully effected by Cheetos (curses! thats my favorite snack!) and Im going to ask them about the foster thing tomorrow and as soon as we get a cage (C&C of course!) set up, I'll hopefully try it.

[Peggysu]

I have had asthma and allergies for years. I am allergic to everything, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, horses, pollen, grass etc. You name it I'm most likely allergic to it and if I'm not I will probably develop an allergy to it. I have a dog and my four guinea pigs. I grew up with cats as well.

My asthma and allergies are well controlled with meds and getting shots. I only take anti-histamines on bad days. If you're not seeing a specialist that deals with asthma and allergies I highly recommend going that route.

I enjoy having pets and will always have pets. Life is to short.

[KateandOscar]

I have allergies, though I think im only affected by guinea pigs! I have had dogs and cats which dont affect me at all, but when I got my guinea pig I started to sneeze. Though when I first got him it was in a small petstore cage on shavings, and when I changed to fleece and a bigger cage they practically went away! The only times I have problems are right after cleaning the cage or when I give my piggie a haircut or bath as he is a peruvian.

[kathlaaron]

I have had asthma and allergies for years. I am allergic to everything, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, horses, pollen, grass etc. You name it I'm most likely allergic to it and if I'm not I will probably develop an allergy to it. I have a dog and my four guinea pigs. I grew up with cats as well.

My asthma and allergies are well controlled with meds and getting shots. I only take anti-histamines on bad days. If you're not seeing a specialist that deals with asthma and allergies I highly recommend going that route.

I enjoy having pets and will always have pets. Life is to short.

I ditto that ! Though I don't get shots ( probably would help me a lot too) I do have inhalers if I need it, and take clariton for pollen and such. I do have mild to moderate asthma ( especially compared to my Mom, who is a severe asthmatic, and takes meds, uses inhalers, ect.) and do get hives from one of my girls Buttercup. But like Peggysue said, life is just too darn short, and if one loves animals as much as we all do, welllll...it is all worth it, you know ?

[pinky]

I have asthma but guinea pigs don't bother me. Timothy hay is a trigger for me, though, so I buy orchard grass. You can be tested for guinea pig allergies if you want to know for sure. I use flovent and albuterol inhalers as needed. Thorough hand washing after handling the guinea pigs and not touching your face or eyes afterwards might keep you from reacting if you are allergic.

[Hoagy]

My wife does not has asthma but does have an allergic reaction to the guinea pigs. After she plays with them, pets them, etc. she sneezes 3 or 4 times, but she loves the guys so much, she has said she will deal with it.

She doesn't have the same reaction to any other animal, not even hamsters - so like everyone is saying, each person is different (heck - no one else in my house has a reaction to any animal).

Good luck!

[brandie1977]

I too have asthma. I think I've had just about all the common pets. The ones I wasn't able to keep were birds and rabbits.

We recently (two months now?) got two long haired guinea pigs. I don't seem to have a reaction to them. I am having trouble with the hay! I got sick of buying hay every few days from the store so I bought a "barrel?" and put it in a plastic bag. I didn't think it would be SO MUCH! I'm going to go back and ask if they have any suggestions for storing it. Maybe separating it up into a bunch of different bags?

When I was diagnosed with asthma I had an allergy test done. At the time I had cats and I needed to be sure I wasn't allergic. I don't know if your doctor is planning on having that kind of test done, but if he/she is, ask if you can be tested for guinea pigs. If there is no mention of allergy tests you or your parents could ask for them.I don't think they'd do the test for just one thing though when I went the guy tested me for 10 things.

[utsarah]

I like the fostering idea too.

My 3 year old daughter and I both have asthma. We've had two guinea pigs for over a year now without any issues. I think our allergies more act up over the hay. My daughter is allergic to cats and dogs but hasn't had a reaction to the pigs. Our asthma/allergy doctor has assured me if she ever does react to them we'll treat her symptoms and if possible do allergy injections. We're already attached to the pigs so we'd do all we could so that could stay in their home with their family.

[LadyAkilah]

My son and I both have asthma but have done very well up here in Alaska with very few meds. When we decided to get guinea pigs, we went to a friends home who had them, held them. Played with them. No problem. As soon as we got home, Daddy, the only one without asthma, started having problems. Now I'm having problems as well. I take an allergy pill and use my inhalers again but it's a small price to pay for the sweet babies we have now. I'm thinking the hay may be the problem as well. I use a filter mask when I clean the cage and that has helped the most for me. Fleece bedding is definately the way to go as well. Shavings seem to make everything worse!

[Deb's4Pigs]

What kind of hay are you using? Timothy seems to make it worse.