As indicated on another thread, I unknowingly got 2 pregnant sows who wound up having 7 pups between them. when I had only two GPs I was fine.
Now that there are 9 (while I place the other 5, keeping 2 pups with the moms), I can't walk into the room without getting hit in the face/chest by what I think is the Timothy Hay scent.
It seems I am allergic to something. My original 2 are short hairs, but some of the pups are medium hairs.
Do you guys think putting an air purifier in the room might alleviate the overwhelming GP-related smells. The cage is sanitary and cleaned often. I really think I am reacting to the Timothy Hay.
Any suggestions?
Air Purifiers for the GP Room
-
WindeSpirit
- Sewing for a Cause
Purifiers, haven't got my big one yet so don't really know.
I do know a exhaust fan out the window does a great job though.
I do know a exhaust fan out the window does a great job though.
In addition to the purifier, the other big things you can do are clean the cage and area daily to make sure there isn't hay and hay dust settling everywhere (serious "do as I say, not as I do" time here), and shake out your hay to get the dust out before putting it in the cage. KM's hay isn't nearly as dusty as the store-bought stuff, I've noticed.
-
KarasKavies
- For the love of my girls!
I have a HEPA on 24/7 by the pig's cage. It DOES help and you should see the stuff it collects on the carbon pre-filter! Yuck! Silky, soft, grey "dust" and lots of it.
Bluegrass fromn KM made a HUGE difference for me. I was working with Timmy at the last rescue we did and wound up with the most severe allergy/asthma attack ever. The bluegrass is less heady to me.
Bluegrass fromn KM made a HUGE difference for me. I was working with Timmy at the last rescue we did and wound up with the most severe allergy/asthma attack ever. The bluegrass is less heady to me.
Here are answers to the questions from top tpo bottom:
Salana - I give the pigs Timothy Hay. It's called Timothy Hay-Kob from LM Animal farms. It is the only hay I have used since getting the guinea pigs in July.
sus4rabbitsnpigs - Not sure of your question - the hay is in the cage using a hay rack. The unused hay is in the bag it came in.
KarasKavies, snowflakey - How noisey are the HEPA filters? How expensive are they to buy and replace filters for? Which unit do you recommend?
Salana - I give the pigs Timothy Hay. It's called Timothy Hay-Kob from LM Animal farms. It is the only hay I have used since getting the guinea pigs in July.
sus4rabbitsnpigs - Not sure of your question - the hay is in the cage using a hay rack. The unused hay is in the bag it came in.
KarasKavies, snowflakey - How noisey are the HEPA filters? How expensive are they to buy and replace filters for? Which unit do you recommend?
-
salana
- GL is Just Peachy
That's not very good quality hay. It's probably all brown and dusty. Check out Kleenmama's hay and Oxbow Hay, which are much better quality and cheaper per pound, even with shipping.
I have a Honeywell HEPA filter. It's kind of a moderate amount of white noise, comparable to an air conditioner. The filter has to be replaced every year and the pre-filter every three months.
I have a Honeywell HEPA filter. It's kind of a moderate amount of white noise, comparable to an air conditioner. The filter has to be replaced every year and the pre-filter every three months.
I have a HOLMES hepa air filter in my pigs room. The store I buy my filters at ran out last week. I had to go a week without the filter. nearly drove my husband crazy. We have the guinea pigs in the computer room so the filter actually needs replaced every 1 1/2-2 months now. But my computers stay virtually dust free too. Before when they were in the dining room I could go 2-3 months before I changed them.
My air purifier was about $75 and the filters run $16 a piece it takes two. I had the pigs in a larger room so I bought a bigger one. I have seen smaller room air purifiers from the same company for $40 and one filter. It makes noise about like a fan but It has low (for night time)med (for constant use) and high (for quickly running the air thru) I do run in non stop too.
My air purifier was about $75 and the filters run $16 a piece it takes two. I had the pigs in a larger room so I bought a bigger one. I have seen smaller room air purifiers from the same company for $40 and one filter. It makes noise about like a fan but It has low (for night time)med (for constant use) and high (for quickly running the air thru) I do run in non stop too.
I have a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze. No noise, no filters but it is an expensive initial purchase. (But you are guaranteed to like it) You can try buying a refurbished one, they have the same warranties and guarantees as the new models.
It really cuts the “boar cologne”!
What kind of bedding are you using? I've found I'm allergic to CareFresh. Wood-chip bedding throws a lot of dust during cage cleaning too. Some folks on this board use blankets or fleece to line their pigs' enclosures. (Do a search on fleece)
It really cuts the “boar cologne”!
What kind of bedding are you using? I've found I'm allergic to CareFresh. Wood-chip bedding throws a lot of dust during cage cleaning too. Some folks on this board use blankets or fleece to line their pigs' enclosures. (Do a search on fleece)
-
snowflakey
- E's Moriarity
I got something from Home Depot (Hunter?); anyway, based upon the size of the room. They don't have to be hideously costly. Mine was under $100. The filters cost, but hey, they do work.
I've heard the Oreck one is better than the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, but I don't know for sure.
-
swannie
- For the love of pigs!
Ionic Breeze=crap!
We had a discussion about filters recently: http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16193
We had a discussion about filters recently: http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16193
My son and I both have allergies. We have a Holmes, a Honeywell and 2 Ionic Breeze air purifiers. We both love our Ionic Breezes. They were expensive, but when both of us were taking 3 different meds just to breathe and I was using an inhaler on top of it, I was desperate to try anything. The Holmes and the Honeywell just weren't doing enough.
We keep the IBs in our bedrooms and I keep the Holmes next to the pig cages, in the family room.
I have also read all the mixed reviews about the IBs and they really do go from one extreme to the other. Sharper Image does let you return the IB within 30 days (maybe longer?), even the refurbished ones.
We keep the IBs in our bedrooms and I keep the Holmes next to the pig cages, in the family room.
I have also read all the mixed reviews about the IBs and they really do go from one extreme to the other. Sharper Image does let you return the IB within 30 days (maybe longer?), even the refurbished ones.
Consumer Reports didn't like Ionic Breeze, either. I have a small one by Holmes (air filtration and ionizer). I think it was about $50, and is a good size for a smaller room. The key is HEPA - that means it actually filters the air, not just circulates it.
Oreck seems to have a good deal -- $350, 90 day satsifaction guarantee, buy 1 get 1 half price, p;us a free refrigerator ionizer and free electronic broom for trying it.
http://www.oreck.com/air-purifiers/air8.cfm?bclick=36
Anyone have it?
http://www.oreck.com/air-purifiers/air8.cfm?bclick=36
Anyone have it?