[Gpdd] Allergies to Guinea Pigs

[BunsnPigs at aol.com]

To add to what Dana posted today on the GPDD, there ARE many doctors who  
will automatically state that the problem is the guinea pig. Without appropriate  
testing, you can't know for sure if its the guinea pig, the hay, the 
bedding...  Does she have other allergies? Is the allergic reaction a skin reaction or 
a  breathing reaction?
 
The best way to help out if they want to keep the piggy is to invest in at  
least one HEPA air cleaner. The cleaner should be kept in the guinea pig's 
area.  Another one in the child's bedroom is a good idea.
 
Vacuum often, especially with a HEPA vacuum if she has other allergies. If  
its contact allergy, don't put piggy up against bare skin and wash hands  
immediately after handling. Don't touch eyes. Bathe piggy once a week in an  
organic shampoo to keep dander down. Clean the cage regularly - every day is  best! 
Spot clean and then twice a week clean it out totally. Shake out hay  outside 
before placing it in the cage. Don't use shredded wood bedding if you  can 
help it. 
 
Get her allergy tested!
 
And finally, if the allergic reaction takes your niece to the hospital,  most 
of the things I wrote about to help will likely not help at all and this  pi
ggy will have to go to another home. I would recommend allergy medications but  
only if the child is not very young.. and only if they want to do that.. and 
if  she is allergic to other things, too, its an easier sell. Its hard to 
impose  medication on other people's children. As her aunt, you will know if this  
is a likely possibility or not.  

Judi  Lainer
Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue
Round Hill, VA
_http://www.mgpr.org_ (http://www.mgpr.org/) 

Fosterer and  Educator-in-Training
House Rabbit Society
MD/DC/NoVa Chapter
_http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org_ (http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org/)