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Can you be allergic to a pet Hamster?

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Posted 12/30/2006 1:42 PM (GMT -7)
Hello Everyone!

   My question to you all is. Can a person possible have an allergy to a pet Hamster. The reason that I am wondering is. My family and I, purchased a pet Hamster December 15th, at a pet store. I have noticed in the last few days when I am playing and holding our hamster (lucky) I have been coughing and some wheeze. Then after I have washed my hands and Lucky is back in his cage it all is ok then.

 Could this simply be all in my head? or something all different that the hamster that could be triggering the cough? suggestions? advice? Thanks, Brandi.

 

Posted 12/30/2006 1:49 PM (GMT -7)
being that i work with animals and am highly allergic the answer is yes. I am not allergic to the small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits etc but i am very allergic to the hay that you feed them. Here is a funny thing, we give dogs and cats allergy shots at work and I was amazed to find that they can be allergic to human dander!
Posted 12/31/2006 6:56 AM (GMT -7)
It can also be the bedding in which you have your hamster. I have two degus and use a cedar bedding. It creates a fine dust that coats the house if I don't dust every other day. The hamster can have the dust from it's bedding in its fur. If this is the case, you can try using newspaper instead of bedding. It's not as dusty and it will give it something to do by chewing the paper. Hmmmm I don't know if newspaper would be a good thing because of the ink, but maybe another type of paper with no print on it?
Posted 1/2/2007 3:03 PM (GMT -7)
Newspaper isn't very healthy for your pets, we also have allergy issues with the cedar chips.  I use the aspen pine chips that seem to work better with less allergies and are safer for your pet.  Also, you need to keep your cage clean, the bedding can grow mold as well.  Which my whole family is severely allergic too.

Hope this helps

Holistic RN

Posted 1/3/2007 6:53 PM (GMT -7)
My son in law, who has bad asthma, takes Alavert (24 hr) because he has a dog.
I take it when I'm visiting and it helps a lot. redface
Posted 1/4/2007 9:04 AM (GMT -7)
You can be allergic to anything that had fur,dander,& saliva........
Posted 1/5/2007 11:19 AM (GMT -7)
Thankyou everyone for the suggestions. I keep my hamster's cage really clean. I clean it everyday. Clean the feces and wet bedding everyday. I seem to not wheeze to much now when handling my hamster. My eye has been swollen and closed when waking in the morning. I don't know if that has anything to do with my hamster. I usually play with my hamster before I go to bed. I was my hands after handling my hamster. I am trying to take an allergy pill before handling him and see if that makes a difference. My hamster is so adorable and fun to play with. Thanks. Brandi. :-)
Posted 1/11/2007 3:42 PM (GMT -7)
Thankyou, all for your advice and suggestions. IT only seems to happen when I am changing my hamsters bedding (Lucky). I am going to take an allergy over the counter medication before cleaning his bedding, and see if that helps out any. I don't want to get rid of (lucky) my hamster I adore him. He is so cute and fun to play with. Best Wishes, happy 2007. Brandi.
Posted 1/11/2007 4:53 PM (GMT -7)
Just a suggestion Brandi....have you tried using a dust mask when changing the cage? I'm allergic to whatever is in the grass and if I have to cut the grass, I wear a mask to prevent my allergies from going haywire. So you can try that if you don't want to resort to an allergy med to see if it helps.
Posted 1/16/2007 12:26 PM (GMT -7)
Thankyou all for suggestions. I keep the cage very clean. Feeding, cleaning, bonding, excerise, I make sure my hamster has all of that. I have tried taking an over the counter allergy medication before cleaning his bedding, and that has helped some. I will keep the mask in mind Red. Thanks, Brandi.
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