Ok I’ll admit it…

[Barbie]

I’m allergic to Leroy!   I’ve been denying it to my boyfriend, my parents, and myself since I got him…

He’s STILL blowing his coat and I have fur flying ALL over the place, so I’m sure that’s not helping.  The one good thing about him blowing his coat is that it is looking/feeling MUCH softer and smoother than when I first adopted him this summer.

The hay bothers me too, but I’d rather suffer a bit than get him just those timothy cubes – I can’t imagaine that those cubes are as helpful for grinding teeth down and gut motility…

I take Claritin (antihistamine) and keep after the vacuuming and litter box changes, but I’m still sniffling and blowing my nose and itching my red eyes   Does anyone have any suggestions for anything else I can to to help myself?

 

One thing that’s NOT an option is to get rid of him.  I’ll put up with a heck of a lot more than a little congestion and sneezing before ever even considering rehoming my wittle bunny wunny!

[angelicvampyre]

I was like that with the horses, Try some different hayfever ones, i found the 24 hours ones where great can’t remember the name will see if i can find a box for you it was red

[RabbitPam]

Claritin never worked for me but Musinex does.
Also, when he stops shedding you’ll feel better. The fur you vacuum up won’t be replaced and it won’t fly around anymore.

You might consider different hays, or keep them in a tightly closed container except when feeding your bunny. Mine is in one, inside a cabinet.
Wear a medical mask just when you reach in to feed the hay, then wash your hands afterwards before touching your face. That could cut it down a bit.

[Elrohwen]

Have you considered allergy shots? It’s not a short term solution because they take a little more than a year to really work (in my experience) but once they work your allergies are pretty much gone for good. No more medicine! They used to not do animals, but lately I’ve been able to get dog, cat, horse, etc, so I’m sure they could do rabbit. They would also include timothy and anything else you’re allergic to.

[Beka27]

If the issue is Timothy hay, you can try Orchard hay. Most buns LOVE IT (even moreso than timothy!) and it is just as healthy for them… plus people who have problems with tim hay sometimes are fine with orchard. I agree to try wearing a medical mask and maybe rubber gloves while vacuuming, cleaning, feeding hay, and grooming him. Make your bedroom a “no-bunny” zone so you can sleep in comfort, try an air purifier in the bunny area. Definitely vacuum OFTEN… Many people do have mild allergies to buns or hay but with a few tweaks here and there they can make it work. See your doc for suggestions on what else you can try medicine-wise… maybe there is something that will work better for you.

[Barbie]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I’ll definitely try the mask and gloves – I can’t believe I didn’t even think of that! I bought a huge bale of timothy hay this summer and we’re not even halfway though it… I’ll look for some orchard hay and donate what I still have to the shelter =)

I have thought about the allergy shots… I actually used to get them when I was little and had SEVERE hay fever/allergies to pet dander but stopped taking them once my allergies got better. also, I’m completely freaked out by needles :/ Now, I’ll probably be ok, but when I was little (like 2nd – 4th grade) I would start crying and having a fit and run away from the lady trying to do the shot, lol. It sometimes took two of them and my mom to hold me down.

[Beka27]

Awww… poor thing! I agree, shots are not fun… but there may be something other than shots that would work for you too… Sounds like you knew you had allergies, but many people don’t realize they are allergic to rabbits or to hay b/c they are never around them, or are not bothered, until they bring a bun and hay into their home. Let us know what you try and what works for you.

[jerseygirl]

It’s interesting you mentioned the pet dander. It might be and idea to find out exactly what it is you react too. Dander, fur, saliva, which grasses/hay. It could be pricey but would cut cost on meds in the long run if you know what to avoid.

[Barbie]

Yeah I knew when I got Leroy I had allergies, but they weren’t too bad. However, recently something’s been really bothering me. *shrug* I’ll let you know if I find something that helps!

Also, Id had a scratch test – the one where they put a board on your back and poke you full of allergens and see what swells up the most – done before started getting the shots, but I don’t remember exactly what they said I was allergic to. Might be worth it to do it again.

[Elrohwen]

Posted By Barbie on 11/01/2009 04:41 PM
Yeah I knew when I got Leroy I had allergies, but they weren’t too bad. However, recently something’s been really bothering me. *shrug* I’ll let you know if I find something that helps!

Also, Id had a scratch test – the one where they put a board on your back and poke you full of allergens and see what swells up the most – done before started getting the shots, but I don’t remember exactly what they said I was allergic to. Might be worth it to do it again.

 

I also got shots when I was little but stopped them once I got better. Now I’m kicking myself because my allergies got bad again and I had to start all over! I would at least go to the doctor and get tested and see what they recommend. You might not even be bad enough that they recommend them, but a real allergy doctor (as opposed to a general doctor) would probably know what medicine to give you to help the most.

Don’t count shots out though! Unless you’re super afraid of needles, you’ll get used to them very very quickly. After a couple times you won’t even care about the needle part anymore. The worst part of the whole thing is just having to go to the doctor every week and sit there for 30 min while they make sure I don’t have a reaction. But I know how well they work, so I’m sticking with them this time! Especially now that they can include animals now.

[corpathina]

i’m having the same problem, barbie. i’ve had mj for about 3 months now and i’m really starting to have problems with chronic allergies. i seem to be more and more stuffed up every day. i’m really not interested in getting shots, though..

do air purifiers help much? i think i’m far more allergic to the hay than the fur. i might try switching to orchard grass, so thanks for suggesting that beka.

i wonder if there’s anything you could put around the cage to attract fur to keep it from flying everywhere. i thought about this the other day when i noticed that a lot of mj’s fur stuck to a piece of cardboard i had by his cage and seemed to collect there often. i left it there and it collects a fair amount of fur every week. i wonder if there’s something that could attract fur or small particles of hay through static electricity or something like that to minimize it circulating in the air. this may be a totally stupid idea, though, because i’m sure vacuuming would do the same thing.. i guess it would just keep the fur more centrally located.

[Barbie]

If you go for an air purifier, look for one that specifically filters pet allergens They’re expensive though

I tried an air purifier this summer, it was made by Homedics (i think). A small, one room purifier. It actually didn’t have a filter, instead, you filled a reservoir with water and then added some sort of concentrated liquid/scent that was supposed to help clean the air. Then when you turned the purifier on, it created a vortex in the water, which supposedly pulled the room’s air into the water, cleaning it and then sending it back out into the room. It did alright, but I found I had to change the water daily for it to be effective, and the scented liquids that I had to add were expensive and ran out quickly, not to mention that at times, the scent could be a bit overpowering (though it did smell good – lemony!) I bought it from Bed Bath and Beyond and they are GREAT about accepting returns (that was the only reason I was willing to take a chance on it). I did end up returning it since it was a bit too wimpy, but the $45 price attracted me. i found an air filter/purifier that I really really want, but its like $500 :/

Hmmm having something that attracts hair automatically, would be AWESOME! lol. Then I would never have to worry about Leroy’s fur or my long hair shedding all over the place! hehe.

I’ve been trying the mask when cleaning and getting into the hay, and it has really helped! I found a whole bunch of masks from Walmart for only a few bucks.  They’re similar to the ones that are used in construction, not really surgical masks… but the package said gardning/home so I think the filter is more for pollen and whatnot, which was closest to what I’m dealing with!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

See it’s people like you that make me so mad when people rehome for allergies SUFFER through it like Barbie does!!

Seriously though-sweet that you are for him

There have been some GREAT suggestions. I would also suggest gloving and masking for handling hay-and brushing. The N95 masks they have out for H1N1 are suitable I believe and you can actually buy them in home depot-they are labelled N95 but are labelled for drywalling and painting and are cheap -may help you !

[Barbie]

Welll… I kinda sorta knew what I was getting into when I got him, given my history with allergies – I just wasn’t willing to admit it. But now that he’s here, he’s here to stay. And maybe it’s because I’m crazy, or masochistic, but there will be lots more bunnies to come! Leroy’s got me hooked allergies or not!

 

And yes, the masks are helping!  I feel like a goofball when I put one on though. Oh the things we do for our buns!

[luvmybunny]

Hi Barbie! I take Nasonex (nasal spray) and it is really great! The hay bothers me too and I wear a dust mask when I clean cages. I am not allergic to bunnies, but moreso the hay!!  I would ask your doctor about Nasonex. My doc gave me samples of it to try before I got my prescription filled. Good luck!

[bunnytowne]

Yes Nasonex is really great.     Air purifier helps too

LIke you when I was young I had allergy shots.   I started them agian a few years ago.  AFter 4 years they deemed me fit to stop.   However I went to anotheDr. and am taking them agian.

My first allergist after I got to the maintenance dose she taught me how to do my own at home in my thighs.  Pinch up some skin and stick.  Once you get past the skin it goes smooth.   

My current allergist office they don’t pinch up the skin on my arms  and I get bruises.  I told them about that but they dont’ listen.  I been doign this for years blah blah blah

I feel I still need them tho it has helped tremendously I couldn’t breath thru my nose sometimes even with meds it was so bad.  Now I dont’ even get red itchy eyes and itchy throat.

You will do ok getting shots.  You are an adult now and after a few times you will be doing great as far as fear of needles.  I used to pass out every time.  

Another thing  your sensitivity to things changes as you age what you were allergic to as a child may not be a big allergen today but something else may be.   Yes they test for rabbits   mine does.

Best wishes to you on this and I love your mettle to keep the buns and hay regardless.  I would too.  OH also right now is tree season so maybe trees are bothering you and adding to your dilema

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s a good thing Leroy overwhelmed you with his charms so you’re willing to go through anything to continue serving him….lol. I really hope you can find something that works to relieve your allergies.

See it’s people like you that make me so mad when people rehome for allergies SUFFER through it like Barbie does!!

My thoughts exactly K&K!

[Author]

Messages