Skin Allergies to New Piggy

[ellisa]

Hello everyone,

I got my new piggy, Penny, a few days ago. She's a sweetheart and I'm very much in love with her. The only thing, is when I hold her I get red itchy skin and bumpy welts. Sometimes this would happen with Pedro, but it's worse with Penny. I gave her a bath yesterday, but it's still happening today. Re-homing her is not an option. I just need help finding ways to cope with this.

I just bought a 9 lbs box of timothy hay, and once we're through that I'm going to get orchard, but it's not the hay that's giving me the rash. I have always been allergic to timothy hay, but it was the only kind Pedro would eat. Penny eats anything I give her, so I think she'll be fine with orchard. Penny is an abby and Pedro was a Peruvian. There must be something different with her dander or something that I'm allergic to.

I've read through CavySpirits page about dealing with allergies. The page mentions Allerpet. A few days ago someone else asked about allerpet. When I looked it up, most people said it's not a good idea to use a shampoo like that on guinea pigs. I was just wondering if anyone has any more info on Allerpet, or any other ways of coping with skin allergies. My sister is also having the same problem when she holds Penny so any help would be awesome! Thanks!

Here's the Allerpet link: http://www.demite.com/allerpet/sm-an...ngle-solution/

[pinky]

As soon as you use up the timothy, switch to orchard grass. Make sure you wash your hands and forearms after holding the guinea pigs. That might help, too. I'm allergic to timothy hay but have no problems if I feed them orchard grass instead.

[ellisa]

I just read on GL that some people have had the same reactions to their pigs and after treating their pigs for mites, their skin allergies lessen. I'm thinking about treating her for mites. She has been itchy. I've checked her fur and I can't see anything. She also sheds more than Pedro did but it could be her breed. I thought it was from a poor diet.
I think I'm going to treat her for mites and then go from there. I've never treated for mites before so I'm scared! I've read the GL page about mites, but I'm still scared! I'll get ivermectin tomorrow!

[ellisa]

As soon as you use up the timothy, switch to orchard grass. Make sure you wash your hands and forearms after holding the guinea pigs. That might help, too. I'm allergic to timothy hay but have no problems if I feed them orchard grass instead.

Thanks pinky. I sneeze from timothy hay, but never get a rash. I get a rash from holding Penny, so I think it's dander or possibly mites.

[skinnypigs]

I'm allergic to my pigs dander as well, they are hairless but still cause me bumps where they touch me.
Basically I make sure to wear long sleeves, put a mat on my lap while holding them and always wash my hands right away after handling.
To change the cage or put out hay, I where a dust mask.
Orchard Grass is better for allergies than Timothy Hay but it still effects me.

[pinky]

Thanks pinky. I sneeze from timothy hay, but never get a rash. I get a rash from holding Penny, so I think it's dander or possibly mites.

It could also be that she steps in it and it irritates your arms. Droppings and urine are harsh and if you have sensitive skin, you might be getting a rash from any debris from her fur comes in contact with, too, aside from her dander. That's why washing after handling helps. I always wash up immediately after coming in contact with mine.

[ellisa]

It could also be that she steps in it and it irritates your arms. Droppings and urine are harsh and if you have sensitive skin, you might be getting a rash from any debris from her fur comes in contact with, too, aside from her dander. That's why washing after handling helps. I always wash up immediately after coming in contact with mine.

Yes, I was thinking that too. Pedro would roll in his timothy and I never had the same reaction that I have with Penny, who barely rolls in her hay.

Should I treat for mites anyways? She's been itchy and sheds more than Pedro did.

[bpatters]

Ellisa, you can't see mites -- they burrow under the skin. And yes, if she's itchy, I'd treat her for them. It's easy to do yourself. See www.guinealynx.info/mites.html. You can buy the Ivermectin you need from a feed store or from This Little Piggie Marketplace. You can also get needle-less syringes from TLPM.

[ellisa]

Thanks, Billie. If she doesn't have any fur loss could it still be mites? I'm going to treat her anyways, but I was just wondering.

Which kind of ivermectin would be best?

[TCTrun]

If you happen to have bad environmental allergies (dust mites, pollens, molds, etc), you could consider getting allergy shots. They could make you feel better all-around, and they can include common guinea pig antigens in the serum to make that better too. That's what I'm doing!

[ellisa]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!
I'm going to give my sister the 9 lbs of timothy for her chinchilla and order myself some orchard grass. Maybe it's because I've been a few weeks without any pigs, but I can really feel the timothy bugging my lungs and nose. I'm also going to pick up some ivermectin today since she's been itchy. I changed her cage and held her this morning. I had long sleeves on washed up well after. I didn't have any bumps or rash, but my lungs and nose were bugging me (which is from the hay). Yesterday I let her sleep on my face, which was a mistake. I guess I won't be dong that again.

[SurfingPigs]

I use the injectable ivermectin, but apply topically.
Amazon.com: Ivomec (1% Ivermectin) for cattle/swine (50 mL): Pet Supplies

Have you treated your pigs with ivermectin before? If not, make sure you properly calculate how much to give them based upon which ivermectin you purchase, as different forms come in different concentrations.

[ellisa]

I use the injectable ivermectin, but apply topically.
Amazon.com: Ivomec (1% Ivermectin) for cattle/swine (50 mL): Pet Supplies

Have you treated your pigs with ivermectin before? If not, make sure you properly calculate how much to give them based upon which ivermectin you purchase, as different forms come in different concentrations.

I've never done it before and I am terrified! I called my vet and she said she'll get it all ready for me and I can go pick it up in a bit!

[SurfingPigs]

What a good vet! And don't worry, you'll do fine and it is a piece of cake. Plus, we're always here to help with any questions.

[ellisa]

What a good vet! And don't worry, you'll do fine and it is a piece of cake. Plus, we're always here to help with any questions.

Thank you very much!

[ellisa]

I have a stupid question. Penny loves her fleece forest and has had it in her cage the past 4 days. I'm treating her for mites, but should I toss the fleece forest and make her a new one? Can the mites live on the fleece?! Sorry for my silly question! She just really loves her fleece forest and I'm not sure what to do!