Sad =(

[MsBinky]

I've been really sad the last couple of days... I was cleaning the girls' condo and Ariella scratched me. Now I have been told that I am very allergic to rabbits but I never expected to break out into hives over a small scratch :tears2:I'm scared that my allergies are going to keep getting worse and I will lose all my buns :cry4:I already have to rehome the 2 girls asap now because my allergies are causing my heart to act up again because of my asthma :cry1:My lips turn blue from lack of oxygen. It must be worse now because of seasonal allergies... I can't medicate myself enough to make it all go away.

I am so mad because bunnies are the one thing that I am really passionate about and love. Why is it that everytime I love something, something happens? :banghead

Ok, rant over. Sorry but I had to whimper.

 

[SnowyShiloh]

Aw, I'm sorry to hear this, Sophie Have you had reactions like this in the past when one of the bunnies scratched you? Maybe once your seasonal allergies have passed, it won't be as bad. :hug: I wish I could help you.

 

[juliew19673]

Oh that is awful!!!! Truly!!

I know they have "trials" that you can go through - w/allergies to make you less suseptible to having a "whole" on episode due to the cause of the allergin, but this is lengthy and involved (and not sure what Canadian medical would cover for this weeks long treatment)..

Sorry to hear your having such a bad time - I'd keep the neosporin at hand and wear a mask when handling my buns to keep the allergens down to a dull roar..

 

[PixieStixxxx]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm allergic to animal fur when it gets into my eyes - my whole face swells up, and I break out into mini hives. But it's managable..

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this

 

[Sayuri]

Thats really horrible - have they said whether taking a daily anti-histamine would help manage your allergy and reaction to the rabbits?

 

[Mikoli]

That's terrible. I hope it doesn't get so bad that you lose your bunnies. :hug:

How bad are your allergies? Maybe you could wear gloves and sunglasses when handling them, so that you're not in so much contact with them. Have you talked to your doctor about this? He might know of some medication or protection that would stop your allergies from being so bad.

You could always get a hairless rabbit.

 

[Marietta]

Mikoli wrote:

You could always get a hairless rabbit.

What breed is a hairless rabbit? I'd like to learn more. I wonder how are they genetically made to be hairless.

Sophie, I'm sorry, it's really not fair not to be able to interact with your buns. Since May-June is aperiod when allergies reach their peak, maybe the symptoms will succumb in time...

Hope you're feeling better / Marietta

 

[MsBinky]

Heh I am far from my allergy peak that's the thing :?My lung specialist mentionned the shots but said I am not eligible at this time because I am too sensitive? :?I never heard that before!

Funny thing is, I can pet them fine. I just have to be really careful about putting my hands in my eyes. It's my breathing that is a problem Trying to be more careful but with my seasonal allergies starting up it's getting really hard to control. I'm just so upset.

Thanks for the kind words everyone :rose:

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I would check to make sure it's not something you use with them. I held a bunny and sexed it for some people yesterday - she scratched me and I welted up and bled..... it was the litter they were using.

 

[MsBinky]

No it's really them. I was tested last month or soand reacted badly. The litter I have is Yesterday's News so it's definitely not that. The hay is in a hay thingy and so they don't roll about in it or anything. Anyway, I will have to wait and see how it goes I guess

 

[Pet_Bunny]

Sorry you had to come to a difficult situation. We had other members who had to give up their bunnies because of allergies too. Only you know how youfeel about your health. :hug:

 

[Mikoli]

Marietta wrote:

Mikoli wrote:

You could always get a hairless rabbit.

What breed is a hairless rabbit? I'd like to learn more. I wonder how are they genetically made to be hairless.

I was joking. I wonder if there really is such thing as a hairless rabbit.

I do remember hearing something sometime about a breed of rabbit that is good for people with allergies. I'll look it up for you.

You could always shave your rabbits ... I don't think they'd like you much after that though.

EDIT: I found this interesting: http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-12/allergies.html

And I heard about someone recommending a Rex rabbit for someone with allergies? Not totally sure why, but maybe it's because of their different type of fur? Might be something to look into.

EDIT 2:

I found something about hairless rabbits. Apparently it is possible. Only one source though, so not 100% sure, but here is a quote I found:

"The hairless (AKA furless) gene is f. This is recessive to normal fur, which is F. In order for a rabbit to be hairless, it must have two hairless genes (ff). Normal furred rabbits can carry the hairless gene (Ff). Hairless gene carriers often have wiry fur, loose their fur easily (in clumps), and/or have bald patches. The hairless gene often shows up in mini rex and rex."

From here: http://www.petshub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-3045.html

 

[BSAR]

That is awful. I hope you don't have to get rid of all of your rabbits just because of allergies. Try talking to your doctor, maybe they have stronger medicine or something.

 

[PixieStixxxx]

I do remember hearing something sometime about a breed of rabbit that is good for people with allergies. I'll look it up for you.

I get this question a lot of the shelter, and I always hear the same answer - The Rex Rabbit. Although, I do not know if it is true.

The myth is that they don't shed like other rabbits, which is a lie, they moult and shed like a mad bunny!

But there are staff members who are extremely allergic to rabbits at my shelter, but when a rex pops though, they have no problem burying their faces in the rex's fur. And I've met adopters who claim to be allergic to rabbits, but have a rex because of the different fur and they have no problem whatsoever.

 

[LadyBug]

i'm so sorry!

 

[MsBinky]

Thanks everyone. I am still pretty upset with the situation but I figure continuing to cry over it won't help anything. I just have to face reality and from now on I won't be able to just grab as many bunnies as I want and I'll also need to be more careful with breeds.

As for the rex, I don't know exactly what it is about them but my father couldn't have a bunny that wasn't pure rex in the house. He would have major attacks right away. When I got my first pure rex, he was ok. He did have some allergies but they were under control until shortly before I moved out. In the future, I will most likely be sticking to the rex breed.