Could I Be Allergic To My Guinea Pig?

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izzy

izzy

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Hi! Have just joined. We have a one year old Guinea pig called Harry who is so sweet and runs round the house most of the day, lies on a cushion to watch telly etc! I love him to bits! but....for the last year, I have had a horrendous cough and stuffed up nose, itchy eyes. Doc thinks I may have asthma which I have never had before and I needed steroids and am on inhalers now. It sounds daft but have really only just clicked it could be Harry! His cage is in the sitting room. Have even had a chest X-ray now and More tests to go.
Is guinea pig allergy common? I can't get rid of him...he's one of the family and the kids love him! :0((((( Am on antihistamines but don't seem to help. Any advice would be great! Thanks x
 
I hate to say this, I wouldn't rule it out. It's worth considering the bedding you are using as well. I know it can take a while in some cases to feel the effects of having indoor piggies and if they will cause you an allergy problem. If your doc already has you on a pathway I would suggest you mention it also and ask for them to conduct a test but in the meantime think about the bedding.
 
If you use shavings then switch to fleece or vetbed. My partner is very allergic to Timothy hay so we now use ings hay.
 
Hi, Welcome to the forum! It could be that you are allergic to him or maybe the hay? Have you tried having him in a different room to see?
 
Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your problems. Mostly, it is due to either allergy to the hay or allergens in the pee. Would moving him to another room help? I know that he will lack company, especially as he is a single piggy that very much depends on frequent interaction. We have some more members with asthma on this forum.

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Yeh I think you are all right! Have put his cage upstairs in my daughters room and been to pet shop for new bedding..fingers crossed!, will ask GP for allergy test! I kinda hope it isn't him but same time will be a relief if it is! We clean him out weekly and he likes a bubble bath at the weekend! Lol! He's just like my baby boy!! :0(((( will keep u all posted! Thanks and Happy New year to all on here! xx
 
Like everyone else has said, it's unlikely to be the piggy himself although the fur of some breeds a cause a problem more than others (usually a skin reaction rather than asthma issues) but is most likely hay or bedding related.

Try moving him away from your living space, changes of bedding can help til you find what suits him and you. You can get dust-extracted hay and if necessary store it outside in a dry, safe place until needed to reduce the chances of problems. It's also worth trying anti-histamines so you don't have to suffer but make sure you know what changes are helping and what is the meds!
 
izzy said:
Yeh I think you are all right! Have put his cage upstairs in my daughters room and been to pet shop for new bedding..fingers crossed!, will ask GP for allergy test! I kinda hope it isn't him but same time will be a relief if it is! We clean him out weekly and he likes a bubble bath at the weekend! Lol! He's just like my baby boy!! :0(((( will keep u all posted! Thanks and Happy New year to all on here! xx
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Weekly baths are too much for guinea pigs and will dry out the skin. They clean themselves and only need bathing if they seem dirty. Do you really use bubbles?
 
I'm allergic to my pigs - get a rash and major sneezing as well both of which tend to disappear after some anti histamines. My OH think I have asthma as well cos I'm a little wheezy occasionally he's probably right but I don't think the pigs has anything to do with it directly. My possible asthma is probably more related to me being an ex-smoker and the damage has been done because of it.
 
piggyfan said:
Weekly baths are too much for guinea pigs and will dry out the skin. They clean themselves and only need bathing if they seem dirty. Do you really use bubbles?
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yes we checked online and with the shop. Use learn water and special shampoo for GPs. He loves it! and skin seems fine.x
 
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