My guinea pig almost killed me last night

[barbeml]

Just after I finished giving him a bath, I suddenly got a piercing headache, my eyes started to itch and my throat started to close. I have gotten hives from him before (handling him, forgetting to wash my hands and then touching my eyes or face), but nothing this bad. Basically, I had hives in my throat.

I was able to swallow a Claritin and after an hour of hacking coughing, it subsided. I was close to calling an ambulance, but it never got so bad that I could not take in some air.

My question: does anyone have advice on best meds to deal with sudden anaphalactoid (sic) reactions? I am allergic to penicillen too, and I know that every exposure to a trigger causes a worse reaction. I was going to ask my Doctor to prescribe an Epi Pen, but someone suggested an inhaler is more effective for a respiratory emergency.

I need to educate myself--any input? (BTW, I can limit my exposure to the guinea pig and wear a mask when cleaning him, but I can't get rid of him. He is really old and it would break his heart if I gave him away).

Thanks,

Barbe

 

[luv2nascar]

Get advise from a doctor as soon as possible
wash your hands if you touch me right away
I would try not to touch him till I saw a doctor
Stay out of the room where he is as much as possible
It really is nothing to mess around with

 

[Kimberle]

I don't know.

I'm glad you're OK.

Guess you'd better talk to your dr soon.

 

[jipsy]

This is not something to mess around with, especially with your throat closing up.

My father was diagnosed with allergies when he got older. I am not certain, but I believe it was called angio-neurotic edema. Basically, he would break out in hives and his tongue and mouth would swell up. He had a huge list of foods, pets, grasses, etc that he was allergic too. He had to take medicine for it every day and even then, sometimes he would still have an attack and they would discover a new allergy. The doctor described it as being able to eat strawberries all your life and then boom! one day you are allergic. If it got really bad, he would have to run to the ER and get a shot.

One day he had an attack. When my mom got home from work, he was all swollen up in the face and his tongue was huge. She asked him if he had taken his meds and he said yes. She asked if he went and got a shot and he said, no he didn't feel like driving. Fifteen minutes later he stood up from the couch because he couldn't breathe. His throat had swollen shut.

My mom got him into the car, but by the time she got him to the hospital his lips were blue. He stayed on machines for two weeks until we turned them off, and he died three days after that.

Am I trying to scare you? Yes. I don't want you to die like my Dad did. Go the to doctor. NOW.

 

[Margie J]

Tell your Doctor your symptoms and when you get them. You may need some further allergy testing and your Doctor will recommend what type of med you may need on hand. It depends on the severity of the symptoms. Allergies can get worse and symptoms can rapidly reach a severe stage. Don't wait to have this evaluated. If it happens again, go to the ER for safeties sake. I had to go once and the EMT's could hardly find a pulse on me before they put me in the ambulance. It didn't take long to reach that stage.

As for the Guinea Pig, try to wear gloves when you handle him. You can get a box of latex gloves (if you aren't allergic to those) in many Pharmacies or Medical Supply stores. About those baths - how often are you doing that? I didn't think Guinea Pigs needed regular baths.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Try nitrile glove instead of latex.

 

[epcotfan]

On another note it may not be the actual guinea pig that causes that reaction. If you keep him in cedar bedding it can flare up allergies. I was bothered too until I changed to aspen bedding. It doesn't have the oils and added scents that cedar bedding does.

 

[ebaynut31]

Benadryl is an antihistamine and would help if you get your doctor's ok. Make sure it is nothing worse going on.

I am new to the guinea pig ownership club. Walter is about 3 mos old. I am taking him to the vet tomorrow night for a check up. Any advice from an experienced owner would be appreciated.

 

[CyranoJones2]

Regardless of what is causing your allergic reaction, you need to get yourself to the doctor. Your body is telling you something and you are lucky you are getting these less severe episodes. They are a warning! I wasn't so lucky and ended up in the hospital unconscious and near death from anaphylactic shock.

Your health care provider is your best choice for getting answers about your medical care.

 

[barbeml]

Thanks for all the input, info and concern everyone. Please be assured that I have been under regular physician care for allergies. I have been a walking histamine reaction for years (ever since I worked for a newspaper and they started renovating the old building--my allergies exploded soon after). I am not taking this lightly (my brother is a severe asthmatic), I posted because I was wondering if anyone had experience with emergency meds to keep on hand.

I was taking Clarinex daily, but eased off when my chronic symptoms abated. I am back on it. I do have gloves and a mask for changing the guinea pig's (Peanut) litter (I use pine)--I bathe him every few months, since he is very old and does not walk well and he gets kind of messy, if you get my drift. I never used protection for the bathing because I had him in water and that kept the dander down.

DH has assumed all Peanut handling duties.

ebaynut31--Guinea Pigs are great pets, and Peanut never needed bathing until he got really old (he is 7 years 4 months) and started to have trouble with his back legs. If you bathe him in cold weather, just be sure to "dry" him in a warm and draft-free place. Peanut was never much for physical activity--he rejected every toy I ever gave him, but he loves to "talk," listen to TV and music and rip paper towels. He used to love chewing up toilet paper tubes!

Clipping nails can be a challenge--we use the "tennis racket" method. Put him on racket, his nails hang down and he can't escape, clip from below. Be sure to pet him every day and vary his food--they get bored and start to reject certain foods. Right now, Penaut will only eat baby field greens and shredded carrots! He also loves apple peels.

Thanks again,

Barbe

 

[Rajah]

Three suggestions.

1) Benadryl
2) Epipen
3) Go to an *allergist* as opposed to a regular doctor.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I agree with Rajah.

*Go to and allergist(get a referral if you need 1) and ask for an epi-pen.

When i worked in my preschool we had several children with peanut allergies, if they got a whif of too much peanut butter or something peanut scented, their throats could close up very quickly. All of them had emergency epi-pens on hand should that have happened. Fortunately it never did while they were under my care( i had them only at lunch). But its way better to have 1 on hand should you need it. And if i were you, I'd consider this quinea pig as my last. Much better to keep offenders out of the house when reactions are that severe.

 

[ennazus]

I was going to tell you that I've never given my guinea pig a bath as he's really clean (we've had him for 2+ years) but then I read that you haven't had to bathe him until lately... poor peanut!

Here's an article about allergies & guinea pigs:
http://cavyspirit.com/allergies.htm

ebaynut, Cavy Spirit has great info about guinea pigs.
http://cavyspirit.com/

Good luck to both new & old guinea pigs!

 

[barbeml]

Thanks so much for the links!!

I had Peanut allergy-free for more than a year. I love him so much and would love another GP, but I just can't take the chance with the escalating allergies.

Barbe

 

[mickeyboat]

barbeml - I agree with all of the previous posters, talk to your doctor as soon as possible and make sure you have an epi-pen - just in case.

I was wondering about the advice given by luv2nascar. Why does barbml have to worry about touching YOU? Are you a guinea pig? LOL

Denae