If your asthma is now diagnosed and you have preventative meds then the symptoms may die down. I’m sure others here that suffer from it will give you some more info re pets and asthma. I’m not real certain that pet hair is a trigger. Maybe as your mom gets more info, things will change. Bummer for you though at the moment!

Speaking of venting… how about getting an air purifier for your room? Tell your ma that’s a good first step before being all drastic and getting rid of your menagerie.

I have asthma and am allergic to Timothy Hay. I knew this BEFORE I got Pepper, and part of my prebunny planning was figuring out how to manage things.

Some things that I do that help:

1)   See a pulmonologist about your asthma, and get allergy tested.  You need to know what your triggers are and how to manage your condition before jumping to comclusions as to what is setting off your symptoms.  I’m assuming your “puffer” is a rescue inhaler like albuterol?  The goal of most asthma treatment regimens now is to minimize the need to use those by preventing symptoms before they start.  Antihithamines like OTC claritin or zyrtec, anti-leukotrienes like Singulair, and inhaled anti-inflammatories like Advair, FloVent, or Intal can head off your symptoms BEFORE you get an attack.

2) Vacuum regularly.  I have a Roomba and have gone through 3 sets of brushes, but it’s a godsend

3) Use a hay rack above the litterbox – it keeps the hay mess contained and the bits mostly just fall in the box.  I only have to refill it every week or two.  Also change the litter/cage materials at least once a week.

4) Get and use a HEPA filter in your bedroom.

I have been asthmatic for more than 25 years now and treatments have changed a LOT over that time. 

Wendy, how big is that hay rack? I have to fill both of mine EVER DAY. Though it’s possible that I just have piglet bunnies.

Great advice Wendy. I think that doctor’s and allergy sufferers do seem to be quick to say get rid of the pet instead of thinking of all the solutions there are out there. I think too there are so many things in the air that can cause us to have asthma and allergy problems like pollution and location (where you live) and seasons and stress too.

I have no doubt that even if I lived on a deserted island with no trees or animals I’d probably have an allergy to the sand and water.

I suppose too that the world we live in overall contributes to these health problems and that is why there are so many allergy products and medications.

I often wonder if before we had all these cars and factories and city living did those people have these type of problems? I know they had other issues but what allergies one of them…just wonder about that.

Posted By TARM on 06/04/2009 09:21 AM
Wendy, how big is that hay rack? I have to fill both of mine EVER DAY. Though it’s possible that I just have piglet bunnies.

I built my own out of leftover wood bits, NIC panels, etc.  It could be a little sturdier, but since Pepper is free-range I needed something that would stand on its own.  It has 3 legs about 6″ up to the bottom of  the actual “rack”, which is about 22″ high x 14″wide x 7″deep, and has a sloping bottom that drops the extra bits into the litterbox.  The back and sides are solid and the front it NIC grid.

I actually have it attached to the litterbox with some hardware chain, because Pepper thought it was great fun to shove the box out of the way to lie (and poop) on the tile floor.  When the hardware guy asked what I planned to hang from the chain (to make sure I was buying the right size) I replied “6.5 lbs of really determined houserabbit!”

Got pics?

my bro had asthma. He couldn’t play sports cuz of it.  Also cats so highly allergic to cats too.  Sneezing swollen face asthma.

Could be from exertion perhaps?   Can be caused by allergens too.  OH dear.