[Gpdd] Misc: Re: Hay Allergy

Leah McNeil lconsuela at yahoo.com
Mon Mar 14 12:23:49 EST 2005


Cindy,
I understand EXACTLY how you feel. When
Brownie Bear first came to live with us
over 3 years ago, I became really sick
with a bad cold. Well, I thought it was
a bad cold, but then it lingered on for
several wheeeeks. So, Hubby and I figured
out that I was allergic either to the pig,
the bedding, or the hay (or the combination
of them both). And I am ashamed to admit
this, but I was even considering giving
B-Bear away...


But, when it came down to it, I looked
into those BIG, Beautiful eyes of hers
and I couldn't bring myself to give her
away. I had already fallen head-over-heals
in Love with her. Now, I was never officially
allergy-tested, but I am 99% positive that
I am allergic to the hay and any wood-based
bedding (like pine or aspen). I didn't want
to totally remove B-Bear's timothy hay,
because they really do need a constant
supply of hay (for their health). So, I
bought those face masks that people use when
they are mowing the lawn, etc. They sell them
at hardware stores and places like that. So,
when I changed the bedding I would wear the
mask. Oh, and at first I changed BB's bedding
to CareFresh, but now I keep both piggies on
towels. Also, I would wash my hands after
handling the hay, the pigs, etc. I started
taking Allegra-D which works Wonders! And I
bought a new vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-like
filter in it (not a true HEPA).

Now, there are other things you can do, like
buy a HEPA air filter. I was supposed to
buy one, but there are so many to chose from
and I just couldn't make a final choice.
Also, the allergic person should Not do the
cleaning of the cage. Of course, that's not
always an option, and I admit that I clean
my piggies' cage. The thing is--for me, I
think my body has gotten sort of used to
the allergens because I don't wear the masks
anymore; I don't take Allegra-D everyday
anymore; I still cuddle up with the pigs; yeah,
sometimes my nose gets 'stuffed up' if I
roll around with the pigs too much, but it's
okay. And I am So HAPPY that I decided against
giving up my Bear!!!

I'm sure you don't want to give up your
Babies and that that is a last resort. So,
maybe you can try a few things and hopefully,
find a solution so that you can live happily
with your piggies.

Please let us know how things work out.

     Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeps,
       Leah...Slave to Brownie Bear
                        & Butterscotch :-)

*******************************************************
We've had our new guinea pigs for about 3 months now,
and I've just realized that what I thought was a cold
has been dragging out this entire time. I've finally
realized that it's my hayfever in reaction to all the
timothy hay in my living room! Is there anything else
that will provide my piggies with the same nutrients??
If not, does anyone have ideas of how to minimize my
exposure? Maybe if I just fed it to them once a day
instead of keeping it available all the time? I'd sure
appreciate any help...I don't want to give up our new
pets, but I'm not sure how much longer I can take
this.

Cindy
Butterscotch and Fudge
*******************************************************

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 




More information about the Gpdd mailing list