I'm Going To The Pet Shop Today...

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cyanidebaby

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Hi guys,

I'm going to visit the pet shop today to double check I'm not allergic to piggies before I find a rescue/ breeder. How long do you think it will take before I know whether they affect me? I can schedule several trips to several shops.

Thanks
Laura
 
I have no experiences with allergies, so I'm not sure how much contact would be necessary.

I would, however, strongly recommend that you choose your little furbabies from a rescue, rather than a breeder. There is a 'rescue locator' tool at the top of the page which can help you find nearby rescues.

A reputable rescue will ensure that your piggies are well matched, healthy and happy before they come home with you. There are lots of piggies in rescues, some are still babies, waiting desperately for their forever homes. There really is no need to breed when so many are without homes.

Good luck with your search, and well done for doing some 'research' on your allergies before bringing your piggies home.
 
My mum reacts instantly. She sneezes and her eyes water and her arms start to itch. My brother on the other hand just sneezes.

Good luck, I hope youre not :)
 
Thanks. I do know that I get a bit of a seasonal pollen allergy, so as weird as this is I'm also going to buy a few bags of different hay today and leave it round the house for a few days. If I get allergic to the hay, but not the pigs, I could consider enclosed hay feeders so it's not out in the open, and if there was no other indoor option, an insulated shed.
 
So...I went to the pet shop...I rubbed hay from the enclosure in my face, I stroked a piggie for ten minutes then rubbed my eyes hard...no real allergic reaction as yet, perhaps a bit of itching but no rash, no sneezing, no coughing and no runny eyes. I then took said hay home with me on the bus and played with it all the way home. I have hay all over myself and still just a mild itch. its pretty much the same as what happens when I stroke my dog and touch my face. It's a very hot day as well, so I was kind of itchy before I got there.

On the downside (from a rescue perspective) I've fallen for a beautiful black boar of 11 weeks, it was really hard not to pick another boar and bring them home together, but perhaps more allergy testing is necessary, what do you think?
 
you could always get the boar you have fallen in love with and then get a companion from rescue.I have a few pet shop piggies
 
If you go to a rescue you will be able to adopt an already bonded pair and save the stress of boar dating.
 
He was the one I stroked, he was active in the enclosure, but he was such a placid little boy... he just sat in my lap chirping gently while I stroked him. I'm still a bit itchy though, should I consider that an issue? No other symptoms and no rash, just the sort of feeling you get when you've been outside and need to shower, that itch like when your skin isn't as fresh as it should be. I washed my hands a second ago and the sensation seems to be going off...Do you think I need more exposure?

I can't get them today anyway because I don't have supplies, I also need to assemble my cage etc, as I didn't unpackage it until I knew it was a goer. He will probably sell quickly, but depending on what people think of the allergy testing thing, I will go back on Tuesday, and if he's still there, I'll most likely bring him home, unless...unless the pet shop thing is an awful idea.
 
When you get a guinea pig from a pet shop they come from rodent mills and have been kept in poor conditions. They are likely to be missexed, pregnant and ill. As this is a pro rescue forum you will always be advised to adopt. Rescue piggies are already bonded, have a clean bill of health and are correctly sexed. By adopting you will be giving unwanted piggies a home and clearing space for more piggies who need rescuing.
 
You've got rescues to the North, South & West of you. One of which may have a bonded pair or bond two that you go in and pick out. You're much more likely to get healthy piggies without problems.
 
Aww I hope u don't have any allergies! Silly me, when we bought our piggies we didn't consider the fact I have hayfever and guinea pigs mainly eat grass and hay which is where u get some pollen! I've been ok at the min it normally kicks in May luckily my medicines and my drs are helping me make it a little better haha x I still love my boys! Haha make sure u don't have allergies tho! Haha I hope it all goes ok for u! X
Perfectpets11
X
 
cyanidebaby said:
Hi guys,

I'm going to visit the pet shop today to double check I'm not allergic to piggies before I find a rescue/ breeder. How long do you think it will take before I know whether they affect me? I can schedule several trips to several shops.

Thanks
Laura
Click to expand...

What a clever idea to check you don't have allergies before you get a pet.
You will find that you always fall in love with the guinea pigs you see. Please remember, if you buy a guinea pig from pet shop , they'll stock up again and that'll perpetuate this trade.
It's your choice in the end but please bear in mind that there are loads of guinea pigs in rescues waiting for a forever loving home.
 
I've decided I'll handle some more piggies before I bring a pair home, I have a dog, and when I was looking for him as a pup I'd never have dreamed of bringing home the first puppy I saw, so to do that with piggies just because they're smaller seems like a bad idea. The little guy I met today was an example of a placid baby guinea pig, I'm sure there are plenty more like him, lovely as he was. I have no issue with rescuing a piggie in theory, but in practice I'm afraid it's not simple. Due to my cerebral palsy, I need to get the piggies from York. I can't drive, nor do I know anybody who can get my wheelchair in their car, and to do the journey on public transport plus walking would be stressful for the piggies, and difficult for me.

My original plan was to purchase a piggie from the small, independent pet shop down my road, because I get a lot of stuff for my dog there and know the owner. The breeders she purchases from won't have any piggies for a few weeks though, and I wanted to do an allergy test or two before then so that I could see whether they caused a reaction, then, all being well, do a final test in there and then pick some of those in around a month when my setup is ready and the new pigs arrive in the shop. Naturally, I went to the massive Pets At Home about 2 miles from me to do my first test, because as you rightly point out, those guys always have them...scarily. There's another Pets At Home about 3 miles in the other direction, and I will run another allergy test there. In the meantime, I'm searching for rehomes within 5 miles of me.
 
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Aww I hope u find the perfect piggies in the end! I hope your not allergic either! Piggies are amazing pets and make u feel so happy when your around them! X
 
That is a very sensible idea. I totally understand how it is difficult for you to get to a rescue. Hopefully you will not be allergic to guinea pigs and can find a pair of your own. It is great you are planning and not rushing into it.
 
I know there's a really pro rescue ethic on this forum ( which I 100% agree with being the better option, don't get me wrong) but as you said, rescuing rather then buying is often easier said then done for a few of us forum members. Sadly there's a massive black hole of rescues in my area, meaning excessive public transport, as you've stated as being an issue also.

I hate the idea of buying guinea pigs from pet shops (or any animal) but sometimes you do just fall for an animal and it almost hurts to leave them behind! Sorry that I went off on a bit of a tangent there! I hope you aren't allergic and you manage to get everything together for some beautiful piggies, rescue or otherwise :)
 
cyanidebaby said:
Hi guys,

I'm going to visit the pet shop today to double check I'm not allergic to piggies before I find a rescue/ breeder. How long do you think it will take before I know whether they affect me? I can schedule several trips to several shops.

Thanks
Laura
Click to expand...
I have lived with animals all my life so I just got my pigs with out testing and I was fine.
 
Ok, so bad news time...I have a very itchy but barely visible white skin rash, so...

1. I may be allergic to piggies
2, It may be the hay
3. The piggie might have had mites etc

SOOOO, how do I know which it is? Any ideas?
 
I'm allergic to pretty much everything except food...dogs, cats, pigs, hamsters, you name it. And weirdly enough I'm allergic to one pig more than the other two. I guess my point is that I don't let my allergies stop me! I just wash my hands after I hold them and take benadryl as needed.
 
cyanidebaby said:
My original plan was to purchase a piggie from the small, independent pet shop down my road, because I get a lot of stuff for my dog there and know the owner. The breeders she purchases from won't have any piggies for a few weeks though, and I wanted to do an allergy test or two before then so that I could see whether they caused a reaction, then, all being well, do a final test in there and then pick some of those in around a month when my setup is ready and the new pigs arrive in the shop. Naturally, I went to the massive Pets At Home about 2 miles from me to do my first test, because as you rightly point out, those guys always have them...scarily. There's another Pets At Home about 3 miles in the other direction, and I will run another allergy test there. In the meantime, I'm searching for rehomes within 5 miles of me.
Click to expand...

What about York RSPCA? It's not specifically a piggy rescue but I went recently and they have lots of gorgeous piggies there :)

http://www.rspca-yorkhome.org.uk/other.php I don't know if the website is updated so it would be worth a visit :)
 
I am allergic to my guineas as well as anything else with hair or fur and also the hay too. I just stay on anti histamines.
Having my allergies doesn't stop me from keeping my piggies or wanting more.

I'm allergic to Rambo more she is a long hair... But not to bad with the short haired piggies
 
if you are concerned about your allergies and the fact you want to be sure you'll be ok before taking on guineas, I'm sure rescues will have great respect for you. I'm sure if you asked you could arrange visits over several weeks with them to have one on one time handling guineas etc.. you could even see if they would let you volunteer for a couple of mornings over a month or so that way you could clean out piggy enclosures etc.. as sometimes the wee can be an issue. The RSPCA are often looking for volunteers you may be able to cover someone's holidays!
 
I volunteered with the RSPCA at York for a while, I was meant to be socialising the animals but they couldn't get my wheelchair into the cattery, the dog runs or their small animal section so I did admin in a separate room as it was the only way I could help :(
 
I was thinking, could you bed a pair of piggies on something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111257028238 as it looks pretty easy to maintain every day and would minimise dust etc. I plan to visit a pet shop again on Tuesday and hold some again, not sure if it'll be the same one though. What do you think, same one?
 
That could only be used under fleece or vetbed. If you have access to a washing machine then vetbed is great.
 
Does fleece smell really bad once they've weed? After an hour or two might it want washing already?
 
cyanidebaby said:
OR, since I've been actively testing allergies and checking for results: http://www.dermatitisfacts.com/other-dermatitis/psychological-dermatitis.php
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cyanidebaby said:
Ok, so bad news time...I have a very itchy but barely visible white skin rash, so...

1. I may be allergic to piggies
2, It may be the hay
3. The piggie might have had mites etc

SOOOO, how do I know which it is? Any ideas?
Click to expand...
If you suffer with allergies esp hay fever you may find its a bit of everything. Dander in animals fur can set some off...sometimes the hay and if they get piggie nails scratched on their skin. Some are allergic to the urine. For me it's a bit of everything and since I suffer with bad hayfever every year from march to july and feel like I have perm flu every morning upon waking I thought what the hell may as well, piggies wont make it any worse! I live on antihistamines anyway :) to be honest I have found the more I am with them the less I react. Still get hives and itchy moments but unless their hairy noses actually touch my face I don't react where I can't breathe etc. My love for them makes me put up with it. :)
 
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