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Post by gerbillover9612 on Jan 22, 2015 2:17:37 GMT -8
So yesterday i noticed that i had 4 bites on my arm (well i think they are bites? im not actually sure) but i realized this straight after i had put Hay in the guinea pigs and gerbils cages. im not sure if there is anything in the hay as it wasn't a fresh, new bag or anything? My concern is that now there is bugs in the gerbils and guinea pigs cages. How do i check to make sure there isn't? i still have a little bit of the hay left, should i check that? The bites could just be from something else (i have cats, they may have bought something in or it may not be bites at all) How do i make sure they are okay This happened last night, around 10:30pm :/
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Post by qtoffer on Jan 22, 2015 7:15:41 GMT -8
You may simply have contact dermatitis caused by an allergy to the hay. I developed an allergy to timothy hay and can't use it anymore. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Jan 22, 2015 7:41:13 GMT -8
Hmmm, maybe? But i have been using this hay for well over 4 months now, is it something that just develops over time?
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Post by qtoffer on Jan 22, 2015 15:26:41 GMT -8
My timothy hay allergy took about a year to show up. Mostly, it was respiratory, but I did get an itchy, but short lived rash on the inside of my arms - looked like prickly heat.
If you want to test the hay for bugs, place some cotton balls in a tall bottle or jar and cover them with a generous handful of hay. Place the uncovered jar beneath an INCANDESCENT light bulb (at least 60W) for several hours. The heat and light from the lamp will drive any bugs out of the hay and onto the cotton balls, where they can easily be seen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Jan 24, 2015 10:00:34 GMT -8
Ohh okay. Well the bite things are going now, im not really sure what happened ;( ooo thats a good idea! Im going to just chuck the rest of the hat away anyway as there is literally like 3 handfuls left. I've monitored the pets and they haven't been bothered by any possible bugs so im thinking it would have either been an allergy as you said or a bite from something from the wilderness :') haha. Thankyou for your replies x
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Post by reesesturtles on Jan 24, 2015 21:58:35 GMT -8
I get hives from timothy hay and so now give either oat hay or orchard grass to my gerbils. There is a remote possibility it could be mites. I actually dealt with a mite infestation in my home once (gerbils, but also in the carpet and upholstery...it was a nightmare getting it under control). Often you can't see mites, but can see their bite or scratch marks (which they can leave if trying to lay eggs in your skin...I know, yuck!) Get some dishwashing gloves that go to at least mid-arm, bright yellow or some other bright color and sift around the gerbils hay or bedding. If you notice brown or black specks crawling on the gloves, those are mites. If nothing shows up you can breathe a sign of relief. The best way to avoid mites is to freeze all bedding and hay ahead of time, by either leaving it outside in freezing weather or putting it into a deep freezer (if you have one). Living in a warmer climate and with no deep freezer, you just gotta take your chances.
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Jan 25, 2015 12:22:39 GMT -8
I know i used to have hives alot as a kid? aahh thats gross ;O that they can get under your skin O.o ohh thats a good idea! but i just removed most of they hay now and they nomed the rest down, im almost certain its nothing to do with the hay now because i had the gerbils and piggies out today and mainly the guinea pigs were on my lap for a good 30 mins (clipping nails) and there was nothing in their fur at all and they are both light colored. I know mites are tiny critters but i did a thorough search Oh yeas ive heard about freezing hay and bedding but never really though of doing it. I do have an outside freezer that has nothing in it right now. Could i put an open bag of hay in there? (As the guineas had no hay at all so i gave them a little from a new bag) and a bag of bedding? thankyou so much for your reply by the way guys
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