My mother bought my 3 year old a guinea pig 2 days ago. I think Trevor(my son) is allergic to him but Trevor absolutely is in love with this guinea pig, he's been wanting a pet and we can't get a dog or cat(I'm allergic) Trevor's eyes got red and swollen today but not yesterday, my main question is....Is there anything I can do to help with the allergies to the guinea pig, or do we have to get rid of it? I really don't want to.
2007-04-21T15:19:54Z
It's not insane to get a 3 year old a guinea pig...I will be cleaning it's cage. He helps me get the guinea food and water. I think it will help him because he will hopefully learn some responsibility.
blue_bee2007-04-21T12:02:22Z
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awww...I'm glad that Trevor is bonding really well with his guinea pig. I think that's so sweet. Yeah, it would be really hard if you had to give it up. Well, I would advise you to take him to his pediatrician. If his allergy reaction to the guinea isn't deadly, he could probably develop an immunity to it. See if the pediatrician can provide him with an allergy medicine that can help reduce the reactions, and then he could probably keep his new friend. i hope this helps!
I don't know about guinea pigs, but with cats you can often reduce allergy reactions by wiping the cat's fur with a damp cloth several times a day. That's because what people are usually allergic to (with cats) is their dried saliva, which they get on their fur when they groom themselves. You might try it with your guinea pig -- can't hurt.
You son should also try not to touch his face or eyes until he has washed his hands thoroughly after handling the guinea pig.
PS...one person said guinea pigs don't live very long. Actually, they can live eight to 12 years with good care. It's mice, rats, and hamsters that only live a couple of years.
And be sure to get some information on guinea pigs from a pet store or the Internet. They have specific food requirements, such as needing vitamin C supplements.
You can grow out of allergies, but as a guinea pigs lifespan is not that long this might be unlikely. Anti-hystimine tablets help, the ones you buy for hay fever allergy. If the gp is causing your son discomfort though get him something else, he'll soon forget about the guinea-pig as kids do.
I would go to a rabbit and guinea rescue centre to see if he gets the same reaction there. Make sure he has had no contact with his own piggie beforehand. Touch the guineas for a few mins to see if there is a reaction. Try a few different piggies one at a time.If you do get a reaction you may have to consider giving your guinea up. Take it to a local shelter so you'll know it goes to a good home. Try petting different animals, such as hamsters, gerbils, or bunnies. Your son may be ok with one of these. Get a pair for company and do some research before getting them. It may be the bedding, sawdust, straw or hay your son may be allergic to. See if any of these affect him before re homing your piggie. Try to get your new pet from a rescue. They are often overlooked and are rehomed sometimes for the same reasons as you may have. It's a nice feeling to rehome an unwanted pet than to get from a shop, knowing your donation goes directly to the animals rather than shop owners or breeders pockets. I wish you and your son good luck.
Had a similar exp. Mum have been given pregnant - wasn't even picked up at vets (there for a various reason) first I knew grew to become into whilst she 'nested' - 2 infants born early - neither survived.