I cant believe it.

[wolfsoul]

Well, I know this isn't much help, but why not use rags and toilet paper for their bedding until you find out what's bothering your allergies? I use rags and toilet paper for the rats..I know it won't be much fun for hammies and gerbils... With their nesting instincts and all....hmmm...

[tikeyas_mom]

I have tryed using unsented toilet paper and it doesnt work it gives me really bad allergies, I also react to the smell of their pee . i hate this.

[Karen]

Ask the doctor! The needles for allergy testing aren't like regular needles, so don't worry - it's more annoying - and ITCHYYYYY!!!! than painful.

Your doctor will have plenty of suggestions, mine did. for now, clean their cage every day, especially as the urine odor bothers your allergies. Use rubber gloves when you clean the cage, too - no sense subjecting yourself to stuff for no reason, because the more you're exposed to it, the worse your sensitivities get. Put them some place safe, and wash the whole cage area out thoroughly, put a "mask" over your nose and mouth while you do it, but a good cleaning is worth it to get rid of the resident dust.

There are, I am sure, other people on Zoloft that have allergies - your doctor should know a safe alternative antihystamine.

I have allergies, some quite strong, and have been through the testing. If your hystamine level is really high right now, they may give you some prednisone to wack it back down, if they do, prepare to be major-league hungry! When I've been on prednizone, I'm constantly STARVING! Or at least my brian is convinced I am ... it's kinda funny when you know it's a delusion!

You'll be fine, and so will your hammies, okay?

[tikeyas_mom]

ok thanks so much karen, you gave me alot of advise. I think you might know how I feel lol. allergies suck and I have the worst during the summer months. Thanks again for the reasurence. it was very helpfull. I have to search for a mask though lol..

[Karen]

You're welcome! Any pharmacy or even hardware store would have the cheap paper filters/masks - people use them when painting, sanding and dealing with other "fume-y" or dusty activities!

[tikeyas_mom]

my mom works at the hospital so ya I will find one.

[popcornbird]

Good luck. You can find masks at any hardware store. In the meantime, tie a little piece of cloth on your face when cleaning their cage.

How about the birdies? Are they still in your room? Are you fine with their feathers, dander, etc.? I wish it was as easy as putting newspaper in a hamster's cage like a bird's, but I *think* that isn't possible........ Anyway, good luck. My dad and brother get bad allergies in the spring, but thankfully they don't have a problem with the birds. Its mostly pollen and grass than animals.

[zookeeperinaltha]

This has been mentioned but try using old rags, tea towels etc.... change them daily. I did this for the Gpigs when I ran out of the bedding. It works and if you change it daily you won't smell the pee. It's alot more work but I think it would be worth it for a short time till you can figure out what else to do.

[shellonabeach]

TM,

As you know DO NOT use material like rags for hamsters and gerbils - if chewed and swallowed it will cause an internal blockage. Gerbils chew everything and hamsters pouch stuff - fibres can get stuck in the pouches or around the large incisors etc. Many hamsters have died from being kept on fibrous substrates, such as the fluffy cotton bedding sold in petstores.

I would suggest you try paper based cat litter for all of them (won't be much fun for the gerbils but until you get tested that is best) this will absorb the urine well. It is however not very soft so you will still need to give them shredded toilet paper to nest with (but not so much). Or a wood based cat litter (as long as it is not pine or pine scented).

[zookeeperinaltha]

Originally posted by shellonabeach
TM,

As you know DO NOT use material like rags for hamsters and gerbils - if chewed and swallowed it will cause an internal blockage. Gerbils chew everything and hamsters pouch stuff - fibres can get stuck in the pouches or around the large incisors etc. Many hamsters have died from being kept on fibrous substrates, such as the fluffy cotton bedding sold in petstores.

I would suggest you try paper based cat litter for all of them (won't be much fun for the gerbils but until you get tested that is best) this will absorb the urine well. It is however not very soft so you will still need to give them shredded toilet paper to nest with (but not so much). Or a wood based cat litter (as long as it is not pine or pine scented).

OMG your right! Thanks for pointing this out so fast. I have never had a gerbil and forgot they have pouches. I asumed it might work. I had also thought of the cotton, never thought it would be bad for them. again thanks for correcting me. I have learned some thing

[tikeyas_mom]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Good luck. You can find masks at any hardware store. In the meantime, tie a little piece of cloth on your face when cleaning their cage.

How about the birdies? Are they still in your room? Are you fine with their feathers, dander, etc.? I wish it was as easy as putting newspaper in a hamster's cage like a bird's, but I *think* that isn't possible........ Anyway, good luck. My dad and brother get bad allergies in the spring, but thankfully they don't have a problem with the birds. Its mostly pollen and grass than animals.

The birdies are not in my room anymore because it is much to hot and Cheeko was waking me up too early in the morning with his songs . they are loving the hot weather out side and thats where they are, on the deck . If the birds were in my room I bet their feathers dander would bother me. .

[popcornbird]

You put them outside?!?!?! All the time or just a while everyday?

Do you know that my friend's birds died like that? A cat came and knocked its cage down, opened the door, and killed the birds. PLEASE put your birds back inside. Unless that have an outdoor aviary, that is SO mean. Birds are indoor pets. There are way too many dangers for them outdoors even if they are in the cage. They can get disease from outdoor birds that may carry them and stop by to visit. They will become wild if left outdoors and not played with everyday.

[wolfsoul]

Dont' worry, they are not outside all the time I've been to her house. They are in the kitchen mostly if it's to hot or cold, and on the sundeck sometimes. There is plenty of shade there, and the cage is too large to be knocked over. It's a good breath of fresh air for them, I'd imagine.

[tikeyas_mom]

It isnt mean, they love it outside, the Cheeko sings and sings to the wild birds, and we just instulled a gate so ya, dont worrie. Fuzzy *my cat* doesnt even care about the birds, and other cats would get hurt if they came into the backyard by Tikeya.

They have spent every summer for the past 3 years on the deck, we take them in on rainy/cold days. It's all good they are very happy out there.

[apcrs5122]

I had to get allergy testing and I'm really sorry to say this, but it hurt really bad for me I'm thankful that I'm not allergic to any animals, because we thought that my Rolo & Scooter were making me breakout in welts I'm so so sorry to here your bad news, but trust me, they have all kinds of medicines for this kind of stuff and hopefully you can keep your hamsters and gerbils.