Allergic to bunny?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 27sd replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by Ash.

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- 12/26/2007 at 7:51 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  We’ve had Mr.B a mini lop since october and I’ve been fine. We get Roxy a dutch and the day after I seem to be itching (today makes day 5!) over my whole body. I really hope its not Roxy. There is no red itchy eyes or nasal problems like most allergies, I don’t have any allergies except for some anti-biotics. I’ve ate nothing new. The only other thing I can think of would be her Timothy hay…. we give Mr.B some but he only eats a small amount and usually my husband would give it to him and it usually doesn’t get anywhere but in his cage or behind it; but Roxy eats it like crazy and she sticks her paws in the bowl and it’s in the corner of her litter box so… I’m think if it might be the hay (I’m really hoping its the hay, I’ll definelty get tested by a doc before rehoming her though if worst came to worst scenario). And it seems to go away whenever I’m outside.
  
  I looked it up and it’s is possible to be fine with one rabbit and reactions to another. I read and it’s the Urine and saliva that humans get allergic reactions from. We have a purifier right next to her cage to hopefully help. If it is the hay are there other hay out there that I could give that wouldn’t cause this reaction?
  
  I’m just wondering if this has happend to anyone else?
- 12/26/2007 at 9:43 PM
  babybunsmum
  Participant
  3896 posts
  i noticed my allergies were stronger since my bun has started eating more hay since i have to dole it out more and because she tosses & kicks it all around. my guess is that you’re onto something thinking it’s the hay giving you troubles. i haven’t heard of people being allergic to only certain bunnies, but i do notice that with dogs. i just always thought it was because some breeds were non-allergetic.
- 12/26/2007 at 10:29 PM
  Lisa_43
  Participant
  1499 posts
  Hay makes me itchy, I put gloves on when I handle it and I am ok now.
- 12/27/2007 at 12:24 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  Some people are extra allergic to Timothy. Orchard, Oat may be a good mix to try. Oat has less “dust”. You may also may need to shake out the Timothy to get rid of all the small dusty pieces (or have someone else do it for you)
- 12/27/2007 at 7:29 AM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I use latex gloves when I clean out their areas and not when I dish out the hay. Hubby says to get him when I have to touch any hay. It just started off a light itch and now it’s just crazy especially my back, chest, shoulders, thighs and neck; atleast my face isn’t itchy I’d do anything to keep our little girl!
  
  Yeah, if you google "allergic to rabbits" it’ll bring up a few things and it says that its the Urine and Saliva that makes people allergic, if they are, to them. So when they clean themselves they get their saliva all over their coat so they suggest wiping them down with a damp cloth before handling if it is the bunny. It also said you’d could be fine with say a Dutch but not with an Angora, I guess it just depends on your system?!
  
  We think we are going to buy Binkybunny’s meadow mix mini bale, I believe, since it said it’s good for those allergic to Timothy. SO hopefully with everything combined things will work out.
  
  But anymore suggestions from people would be great, the more ideas the better!!!
- 12/27/2007 at 1:08 PM
  wendyzski
  Participant
  1312 posts
  I’ve got a terrible hay allergy – I put a bunch of my tips on the "Need Hay" thread. I planned from the beginning to manage it as much as possible and I’m doing ok.
- 12/27/2007 at 1:15 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Oh my goodness it sounds like you are really itchy! That must be terrible!! I hope you have something to put on your skin to feel better? Maybe cortisone cream or something? I’m rarely allergic so I’m no help at all-just sympathy!
  
  I hope it is the hay*fingers crossed*
  
  btw that is a very cute picture in your avatar!
- 12/27/2007 at 4:02 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  Ok so I thought I had cortizone cream but I guesss not (its on the grocery list) so I used some hydro cortizone cream (I dont like antibiotics and try to do natural stuff but I’m going nuts!) and just put a little on my neck-collar area…. no itching! YAY! Atleast I can put it on the really itchy spots.
  
  I am going to the docts tommorow so keep your fingers crossed!
- 12/28/2007 at 9:01 AM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I’m going to the doctors tommorow, but I’ve been looking some stuff up an I’ve added something to the list of possibilities…Cheyletiella mite. I heard this on another post in here, that shelters really only check for URI and not really on fleas, mites and another thing. So I looked them up and this mite’s symptoms on humans is pretty much what I have. The bad thing is if it is this mite it says it lasts about 3 weeks! It’s been one week already. My daughter pets her but barely and my husband picks her up and holds her but he isn’t itching but then again the symptons can have no signs to extreme itching. Anyways I wanted to share this link with you all in case you come across the same situation.
  
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyletiellosis
  
  I’ve made an apointment for Monday for Roxy to go in to the the vet, Mr.B isn’t itching but then again he’s not near her.
- 12/28/2007 at 3:02 PM
  BunnyLugs
  Participant
  117 posts
  Timothy hay makes me want to curl up and die! I break out in hives. I don’t need to touch it. It just has to be in the room and my lungs and throat will close up for days. Sad thing is, the buns love it. However, it’s really not worth the ordeal. I have come into plenty of contact with urine and saliva however! >sprayed and soaked!<, and not a whisker of trouble from the old trusty organs!
- 12/28/2007 at 3:04 PM
  BunnyLugs
  Participant
  117 posts
  p.s. bet you the doctor will say it’s either their fur irritating you, mites, or poo. They probably wouldn’t think of the hay, one of the worlds greatest causes of allergy
- 12/28/2007 at 4:05 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I really think the hay isn’t the problem anymore since I was desperate to rule Roxy out as the cause that I took a handful of Hay and rubbed it like crazy on my leg but notta.
  
  The Doc says most likely mites! Now to wait til Monday to take Roxy in and get looked at. I noticed Mr.B starting to itch so monday I’m going to call to take him in and while we are there see if we can get him nuetered! I’ll give an update after the vets.
- 12/28/2007 at 4:17 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I understand that mites are not a zoonotic disease – they can not be transmitted from one species to another…at least that is what I have understood from my vet about mites.
  
  I do know Roxy and Mr. B can transmit them to each other though.
- 12/28/2007 at 7:09 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I believe there are a few different types of mites listed on that link and I don’t know about the other types but this one describes my symptoms and it says it can be transmitted to humans but it’s an irregular place for them to go and it’s passed through direct contact (which I cuddle and pet her constantly). This type of mite is supposed to look like “moving dandruff” because the mites hide under the skin and move with it on top of them, different from the mites you’d see causing the ear goonk. I’m just glad hubb, daughter and Mr.b don’t have it.
- 12/29/2007 at 2:46 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  Oooh now you are giving me the heebee geebees (sp?)!!! When rabbits groom themselves do they also bite a bit? Edson does but he does not have fleas or mites or anything. I assume they itch like we itch, right?
- 12/29/2007 at 5:52 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  From what I’ve observed with my rabbits – they itch like we itch. I think its so funny to watch them itch behind or in their ears with their back foot One of the funniest things I’ve seen is I caught my bunny Kramer falling asleep mid-itch. He still had his foot behind his ear but he was so sleepy he fell straight asleep with his nose on the ground and his foot behind his ear!
- 12/29/2007 at 7:19 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  OK good. I know that was a stupid question but then again I really have no clue! It’s the face washing with both paws that cracks me up. It’s so dang cute!
- 12/31/2007 at 10:08 AM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  Update: Went to the vet today, I absolutely LOVE her-20% of her clients are rabbits so we’re in good hands! ANywho, it was mites the poor little thing. She gave me Revolution Topical Parasiticide for puppies and kittens for “roxy” and the same but for Cats for Mr.B since he’s bigger and just to make sure he didn’t have any critters on him too since it can be transmitted. It’s applies like frontline and those types on the back of the neck. Man Mr.B did NOT like it as soon as I put it on he went nuts hoping around, I think the feel of the liquid moving on his skin felt weird. There are different types of mites, some don’t transfer to humans and some do this one…Cheyletiella mite, does. I have this lotion stuff for me to put on tonight and then all the sheets, clothes, towels are into Hot laundry cycle and vacumming away! ALos I’m going to call the Shelter to let them know about the mites that they most likely have, hopefully they ended up treating the one rabbit for fleas the poor girl/guy.
- 12/31/2007 at 10:13 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  That’s good to know about those types of mites! Revolution is good stuff for that and much easier to administer than ivermectin. Glad you found a good rabbit savvy vet too.
- 12/31/2007 at 10:23 AM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  Can you actually see these mites yourself?
- 12/31/2007 at 10:32 AM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  these mites, I could not see. The description I was reading said if you see it it looks like moving dandur since they hide under it and move with it on top of them. I think I added the link to one of the above posts for all the details on this type of mite. Atleast this forum can help those that have this problem!
  
  Its just amazing how a shelter can take in animals and not properfly care for them! The county shelter must take in all animals but then they should have staff and the ability to care for them how they need.
- 12/31/2007 at 10:38 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Many shelters only have the money to do minimal care for animals when they have them. Municipal shelters unfortunately must be open shelters and take all animals and many municipal shelters do not have vets on staff either. Shelters in many areas are not priority for the taxpayers. Most municipal shelters in my area aren’t set-up to care for anything other than cats and dogs too and they just panic when they get in another type of animal. I cannot blame shelters though for what they do or don’t do – it’s just unfortunate that they even have to exist.
- 12/31/2007 at 10:52 AM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  I agree. I wish they had the resources and man power to properly care for them too and give them exams. All it takes is money!!!!
- 12/31/2007 at 11:27 AM
  poopy
  Participant
  684 posts
  Are you all better now? Everything ok?
- 12/31/2007 at 5:28 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I’m actually not itching as bad, my doc gave me some anti-itch cream, mite cream(that I will put on tonight since the buns just got their meds on) and antihystmine (sp?) so I’m doing alot better. The buns got somwe Revolution so they’ll be good within the day.
- 12/31/2007 at 6:38 PM
  Scarlet_Rose
  Participant
  4293 posts
  Thanks Lops&LopsofLove for the informative info! I just added this discussion to the FAQ section under mites!
- 12/31/2007 at 7:45 PM
  (dig)x(me)x(now)
  Participant
  2517 posts
  I noticed when I pet-sitted for my friend, her rabbit made my allergies flare, but my bunny doesn’t. Her bunny had much thicker, finer fur. I also noticed that people often have allergies from the hay (which was mentioned already).
- 01/01/2008 at 4:48 PM
  Ash
  Participant
  165 posts
  I can’t remember if I mentioned this above but your rabbit can have mites and not even show any signs.
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