A warning to allergy sufferers

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I used to post here quite a lot, having been a guinea pig owner for 6 years, but I haven't been on for a while. I have always suffered from allergies, but I thought that it was a minor inconvenience because I was very fond of my piggies.

My allergy problems eased a bit last summer when my 9 year old daughter took over a lot of the day to day care and cleaning out for the two boys we had at the time, Ruffle and Magnum. I had to do a bit of supervision and helping but she did most of it herself. I thought everything was fine.

Just before Christmas it was an ordinary Saturday afternoon. My daughter decided to clean out the boys and asked me to find somewhere to put them whilst she cleaned. I decided that they could come and sit on my lap and watch final score, which I had done before with no problems.

Within minutes I was in the grip of a major asthma attack. I dumped the guinea pigs on the floor and grabbed my inhaler but it didn't help. I was struggling to breathe and the only other people in the house were my daughter (who grabbed the pigs and put them away) and my son aged 12. Before I collapsed I shouted at my son to dial 999.

An ambulance arrived within 12 minutes, shortly followed by my in-laws who took the traumatised children to their house. I ended up in intensive care, and I was only minutes from death. Obviously I survived and made a full recovery but by the time I was released from hospital my husband had taken matters into his own hands and rehomed the boys. Luckily they have been adopted by my sister in law and are living happily in her summer house.

So please be aware, even if you think your allergies are under control, everything can change in minutes. It is not exaggerating to say that my fondness for guinea pigs could have cost my life. Don't take any chances, if you or your family have allergies, get rid of those piggies NOW!
 
I have to say i agree with this. My aunt has severe asthma to the point of needing ebulizers quite frequently. She also has - 8-10 guinea pigs, 2 dogs and i think 8 rabbits. She suffers a lot because of them, she also has CFS, MS and thyroid issues - there are some days she can barely get out of bed. Honestly though, i think health wise she would improve if she didn't have all the pets - on the other hand mentally she would suffer as those pets are literally her life. It must be so hard for some people :(
 
My goodness! I'm so glad you are okay now but that must have been so scary. :(
Yes, allergies/asthma is something people should not take lightly, like you've experienced you never know when a crisis can happen suddenly. I have my 4 pigs out in our shed due to my allergies. I was fine with them for 3 years - I mean guinea pigs in general as I had different ones back then - then one day it just started asthma/allergies. Luckily I have been able to set up a shed outside with heat for them. But I'm seriously thinking of not having guinea pigs any more once these go as sad as that will be. I find my rabbits don't bother me as much.
I'm so glad you are okay now. Thank you for spreading this warning. You just never know.
 
I am really sorry to hear about your hospitalisation. It must have been a terrible sock for you and your family. I am not sure of the severity of your asthma before this attack but if your piggies were the trigger then I am sure you have made the right decision.

Allergies are something that I am asked about alot as I am a dog groomer and I have asthma. My mother also has a skin condition trigged by allergies, and even one of my dogs has allergies.

October through to December I was using my inhaler nearly every morning. My GP was also concerned by how much I was beginning to rely on it, so between us we decided that I keep a diary so we could work out what was causing it. I have also researched about allergies and I am currently writing a piece for educational purpose for my customers and for my own benefit. I could not imagine doing anything else as a job, and my house would be awfully quiet and my life very depressing without my animals.

The results from my diary - The thing about my asthma is I never have to use my inhaler at work where I groom dogs who are full of 'grot', and it is not triggered by cleaning out or handling my animals.

Without causing a debate...there are factors that cause allergies other then pet dander, dust from hay and amonia. Asthma can also be a symptom of other illness/ diseases. Since the 1st of January (ok, only 13 days) I have changed my diet and exercise routine due to other health issues and have not had to use my inhaler once in that time.

I would encourage a full health MOT, and allergy testing is worth while (both for humans and pets). This will help determine if "pet allergy" is the cause.
 
Thanks for the replies. Gracie, I have had allergy tests which confirmed the pet allergies - apparently rabbits are the worst for some reason, but I also have bad allergies to dogs and cats which mean I can't even visit friends or family if they have a dog or cat in the house.

Since the guinea pigs moved out, my asthma is much better and I haven't had another proper attack since then. So sad as it was to let the boys go, it was definitely the right decision.

I am feeling really bad about it today because Ruffle died unexpectedly last night, aged only 2, in the care of my sister in law. I am sure this would have happened anyway but I can't shake a vague guilty feeling that it might be my fault :(
 
don't feel guilty , i'm sorry but as much as i love my piggies i would put my health before theirs if it meant ending up in intensive care everytime i went near them!
i have asthma and use 3 pumps & take an anti histamine every day, no doubt it could happen to me, there is that risk, my piggies are indoors & i do sneeze when i clean them out but as for the cuddling, i wrap mine in fleece blankets , they love it! i can cuddle them then.
they are out in an indoor run every day too, if i put one by my face i have a rash after! i have had asthma since i was 7 & hayfever too.
to be honest i never knew i could be allergic to piggies as i've never had them before, i've always had hamsters & rats with no problems, if i use pets at home sawdust it gives me a tight chest when i clean them out but the snowflake shavings dont, very strange. if my chest gets worse & my health starts to suffer then my girls will go too as much as i love them to bits :0
 
So sorry to hear what an awful time you had and glad you are now feeling better. :)

If it's any consolation to anyone and I don't know anyone's ages, but I have grown out of many of my allergies -I'm 46. When I was in my 20's I took loads of anti-histamines, inhalers etc and was extremely allergic to cats and rabbits but now I am only very mildly allergic. I have a cat which causes me no problems except that any scratches he may give me do swell & become painful for a short while and I have found that my face is slightly allergic to Dougal's fur. I just get blotchy & itchy.

One more thing is that my breathing reacts quite badly to timothy hay for some reason but am fine with other types.

I did have to rehome my cat when I was younger because of my health and I suppose I would again, albeit sadly, if my health was suffering badly.
 
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My Mum recently had her first ever asthma attack, she usually only has it very mildly. I think there was more than one cause but I hope it's not because of my guineas :(
 
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