Allergic to just one rabbit?

[Willow Lien]

Recently when I hold/cuddle my one rabbit, I get a decent allergic reaction. But it is just her. I’ve noticed this for about a month (we have had her a year). She is a different kind of bun from my other two. Definitely different fur, very course and thick. I was wondering if anyone knew, definitively, if one could be allergic to just ONE rabbit? Or one kind of rabbit? I know some people are allergic to only long-haired cats. I can surmise that this is possible based on my experience, but I was hoping someone could say for sure? I tried googling to no avail. 

I have had allergy tests in the past but I am not sure I was tested for rabbits as we did not have a rabbit at the time. Plus I know you can develop allergies. Even if I am allergic to her, nothing would change. I am not about to give up any of my rabbit babies. 

My reaction: red, itchy eyes and swelling in the eyes, runny nose that quickly becomes stuffed so that I cannot breathe, very itchy throat and Eustachian tubes.Classic allergy symptoms within about ten to fifteen minutes. I take zyrtec daily for normal allergies and benadryl when I have a reaction. The only other thing that sets me off this bad is mold (fusarium) which I know I am allergic to. 

I’d have to do some more observing, but it seems to happen only when I am holding her and we cuddle, not when I just pet her. She is one of those rabbits that sheds constantly. My other rabbit has periodic sheds only, and my new bunny hasn’t had a shed yet (she’s still a baby). 

[Bam]

When it comes to dogs, it’s quite common for allergic people to be allergic to certain breeds and not others. That’s more rare with cats, allergies to cats tend to be against all cats, and kittens are worse than adult cats. I know I have read about , will try to find sth to support what I’m saying.

But if certain (breeds of) dogs provoke allergies in an allergic person, and others don’t, I’d be surprised if the same couldn’t apply to rabbits.

Try to avoid cuddling the bun that gives you this bad reaction. It challenges your immune defense and makes you more susceptible to colds etc.

ETA: I did a bit of reading. All dogs have the same allergen, but the amount varies greatly. The difference between breeds are not as big as the difference between individuals. A French study from 2007 found labradors to shed the least allergens and poodles the most, but the spread within the breed groups was very wide. There were individual poodles that shed less allergen than some Labrador individuals. This means there are no “allergen-free” breeds. Fur length had no impact at all in amounts allergen shed. What causes some dogs to have more allergen than others remains not understood.

So my guess is you are somewhat allergic to rabbits, and the rabbit you react to has more allergen than your other buns.

[ThorBunny]

I’m one of those people who is allergic to just some dogs, it’s interesting to know why that is Bam! It doesn’t stop me from hanging out with ALL THE DOGS either

I’ve lived with pets I was allergic to before (but thankfully not rabbits!) It’s helpful to have a “clean room” where the animal doesn’t go, ideally your bedroom. HEPA air filters are great as well and remove a good amount of allergens from the air.

[joea64]

Fortunately I don’t seem to be allergic to bunny fur, and a good thing too because I’ve been in close contact with so many over the past month!

[Willow Lien]

UPDATE: I asked our vet about this and she said yes, I can be allergic to just one kind of bun. My guess with my rabbits is that, because she sheds the most, I get her fur in places that set off an allergy tat doesn’t show up much with my less-shedding buns.

Bam, that is good info! Very interesting. Makes a lot of sense.

[Author]

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