Possibly allergic to GP's

[tinky75]

Unfortunately after 3mths of being ill with cold like symptoms and fluid blocking ears - my doctor has requested that I test to see if it's an allergy to guinea pigs or their Hay. They are kept inside and have been since I got them a year and a half ago, the doctor told me that even though it's only been the last 3mths I've been ill it could still be an allergy as anyone can start at any time at any age.

After going away on hols for a 5 days, I felt like I was getting better, then 2 days after returning home, my ears were blocked and very stuffy again. I am going to stay with my mum for a week and see if I improve, I will be devastated if it turns out to be an allergy as I have been feeling so ill and can't carry on like this. I love my two girls indoors with me and do not want them living outside or worse still having to rehome them 8...

We also have a cat, who's been with us for 10yrs, my brother began his cat allergy in his 20's, so maybe it could be the cat also. Was just wondering if anyone else suddenly developed an allergy to their pets?

 

[lily 74]

Hi,

I think I am also allergic to either the hay or the guinea pigs but don't have it as bad as you

I sneeze alot and have had blocked ears but I am okay atm

hope it turns out okay for you

 

[gogoguineas]

I am a bit too and take regular allergy tablets like piriton or something. If i handle them and they rub against soft skin like my chest it get a bit of a rash but it does go down within an hour or two.

I hope you can work something out one way or another

 

[sammy06forever]

it is the hay for me cant stop sneezing when i come close to it and i only found that out when i changed where i got the hay from :o

 

[Pat Shields]

Was just wondering if anyone else suddenly developed an allergy to their pets?

I am a bit too and take regular allergy tablets like piriton or something. If i handle them and they rub against soft skin like my chest it get a bit of a rash but it does go down within an hour or two.

It wasn't sudden, but I realized one day that the constant postnasal drip and other respiratory symptoms cleared up when I wasn't around my dogs and cats. Loratadine takes care of most of it for me. And now with the guinea pigs, if I get them next to my skin, I itch for a while until I wash the area. But I figure it isn't their fault, so I do what I can to make myself feel better, don't let the cats get in my face, keep the dogs from jumping on me, don't let the guinea pigs burrow into my neck, that sort of thing.

 

[4piggiepigs]

My OH has postnasal drip and he takes cetirizine on a daily basis (but hes always had it not cos of piggies and it don't seem to get worse when he holds them)

 

[tinky75]

It wasn't sudden, but I realized one day that the constant postnasal drip and other respiratory symptoms cleared up when I wasn't around my dogs and cats. Loratadine takes care of most of it for me. .

The Doctor has given me Loratadine and wants me to take it for a month. I am sorting out the Guinea's in a nice big pen in the front room with lots & lots of hay and someone checking in on them. Hubby works away, so he will have to clean them out at the weekend which will be interesting as he's never done it or yet picked up a guinea pig! lol.. hopefully by next week blood test will be back and as much as I would love to get myself better, I hope it's not an allergy.

 

[tinky75]

After a lot if thinking (I have been staying at mums away from guinea's) to see if my symptoms are reduced-to which they have, slightly) I would like to move them into the garage so no hay is in the house. Obviously due to how ill I've been I hope to do this sooner rather than later however our garage is not heated, but at least they are not outside. Is it going to be dangerous for the guineas to move them at this time of year or could I gradually do this? The garage is attached to the house and accessible by door from kitchen which makes it easy access to them.