Help please - allergic daughter

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SKatey

Hello, I'm new here and have popped in with a specific q. I've done a search and don't think I can see an answer but apologies if I've repeated something.

DD2 wants guinea pigs but we have suspected that DD1 is allergic to at least some types of gp, as , although she has been fine with some she had a nasty reaction while cuddling a friends, which happens to be a rex. This one was also kept on hay which led us to hope that maybe that was the problem. Today we had an afternoon of g-pig cuddling today at a breeder friends. She seemed okay with the short haired but as soon as she started cuddling the rex she started coughing, nose running, eyes itching, so I'm thinking that it is the breed that is the problem.

If we got a short haired one, is it possible that she would she end up allergic to that one?

Thanks!

SKatey
 
Welcome Skatey!
It's possible DD1 may also be allergic to short-haired piggies too. There's a likelyhood it could be the dander (flakes of skin) on the piggie's fur, that she's allergic to, even their saliva or urine may cause your daughter's allergic reactions.
When I young, I was allergic to my guinea pigs, they were PEW (gorgeous girls) but now (many moons on) I have two rex boys and I'm not allergic at all to them. Perhaps it's something I have grown out of - although I'm still allergic to cats!
It'd be advisable to have some cuddle time with your friend's pigs before you embark on getting some pigs for your girls - it'd be a great shame to take them home and discover your DD1 is really allergic to them...hope that helps a little bit :)
 
We had 2 guinea pigs when I was a child and my mum was allergic to one and not the other. Similar symptoms. I think it was the coarser hair that my mum had a problem with.
Perhaps you could arrange to visit a rescue and see some different pigs to see how she gets on. :)
 
Thanks - she's definitely reacting differently to different breeds, my concern is that she may develop an allergy to one we think is safe.

I'm potentially really sad - I was looking forward to the pattering of tiny paws and I have a feeling it may not happen....
 
We have 4 G.Ps my daughter only gets an allergic reation with Midge, red itchy neck and runny nose -Midge has coarse hair, but she my daughter takes a daily antihistimine tablet to keep the symptoms at bay, so far it works.
 
I don't know much about them but maybe a skinny pig might be ok, they are quite expencive from what I've seen though!
But the pp's idea of visiting a rescue is a good idea, try before you buy, lol
When we were little my parents got is a couple of kittens and after a few days it seemed my sister was allergic, eyes streaming, sneezing, the lot! however we still begged my mum to keep them and thankfully my sister grew out of her allergy :)
 
Just to add that piggies must have hay so you will need to rule out a potential allergy to that too. :)
 
flips said:
Just to add that piggies must have hay so you will need to rule out a potential allergy to that too. :)
Click to expand...

She is allergic to hay, but I think that is manageable. Yesterdays reaction to the rex was not!
 
I used to be very allergic to horses, dogs, hay etc. But worked with horses for a number of years and now am part of a team that runs an animal rescue (mainly dogs).

When first starting with horses I used to wear a dust mask and gloves. Gradually I built up resistance and was slowly able to do away with the gloves, then the mask. This was a long time ago, and as my resistance and antihystimanes improved things got much better.

I always found that antihystamines help with the inital reactions to new individual animals and that over time of being around them I'd build up a resisitance.

That's my experiances with animals anyway. I'd advise visiting the Dr with her to get onto a decent antihystamines to start with, consider keeping a large shirt or similar to go on backwards for protection from fur against her, as well as gloves to begin and take it from there.
 
I sent some pet allergy spray to CraigDavid on here who was having problems with an allergy to GP's. Had a lovely PM saying how well it had worked, so even if there is an allergic reaction you can deal with it with various pet products on the market that help to reduce this.
 
My daughter has dust allergys not GP allergies as such, but if i think back as much as i love my pigs i probably wouldnt have gotten them as my OH is allergic to GP's too and he reacts to my rex and sheltie the most.

my daughters arent to bad but even with the piggie away from OH he still has reactions, OH's allergies didnt even start right away. Maybe yo could foster some piggies from a rescue for a while, they always need the extra help and it would give you a chance to see how it goes and if it doesnt work out at least you haven't already adopted them and they can be returned.

P.S if the piggies dont work try ratties my mum is allergic to buns/mice and OH to piggies but both can handle rats fine, they do have a shorter life span but are way more energetic and still a ton of fun, just like piggies they have very specific needs so i would advise contacting a rescue no matter what route you take x
 
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