G-force and zoonotic disease
It seems like whenever a hit TV show or movie features an animal, there's concern about the "101 Dalmatians effect," whereby there's a mad rush to get the animal for a pet. When 101 Dalmatians was a hit movie, there was a huge spike in sales of this rather unusual breed - a breed which is certainly not for everyone. This results in unqualified breeders and puppy mills churning out marginal or poor quality pets and people getting a pet that really doesn't suit them. The end result can be a lot of disappointment, heartache and abandoned pets. This pattern has been repeated with various other breeds and animal species, and there is concern that the same will happen with guinea pigs as a result of the new Disney movie G-Force.
In terms of human health, guinea pigs are relatively benign. Bites and scratches are probably the biggest concern, and are often the result of improper handling. Bites can become infected from bacteria in the guinea pig's mouth or from bacteria on the person's skin. Allergies are also a potential problem. The number of diseases that are known to be transmitted by them is relatively small, and the risk of disease transmission is rather low.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a concern with all rodents. It typically only causes disease in people with compromised immune systems, but can result in fatal infection. The risk of a guinea pig carrying this virus is likely greatest in animals from large rodent breeding facilties and when there is contact with wild rodents.
Ringworm is perhaps the most common infection that people get from guinea pigs (apart from infections following bites). Even healthy guinea pigs can carry the fungus that causes this disease.
Guinea pigs can carry Salmonella, but they are quite susceptible to infection and usually get quite sick. The risk of a healthy guinea pig shedding Salmonella, especially for a prolonged period, is pretty low. The risk is presumably greatest shortly after purchase.
Rabies is always a potential problem in mammals but the risk is very low with small rodents such as guinea pigs. (Very low isn't zero though, since hamsters have been sources of potential rabies exposure).
There are other potential problems too, but they are all quite rare.
The keys to reducing the risk of infection are:
- Purchase a guinea pig that looks healthy, is eating well, has no skin lesions or diarrhea, and is active and alert. Ideally, purchase an animal from a local breeder as opposed to a store that might have obtained the animal from a large breeder, via an animal warehouse, hundreds or thousands of miles away.
- Learn how to properly handle a guinea pig to reduce the risk of bites and scratches, as well as injury to the animal.
- Keep pet guinea pigs away from wild rodents.
- Use good general hygiene. Wash your hands after handling the guinea pig and after contact with bedding.
- Thoroughly wash any bites or scratches.
- Take particular care in the period shortly after purchase.
- Even though the cost of the guinea pig is less than the cost of a vet visit, a veterinary examination is important when the animal is sick. Apart from our ethical responsibility to take care of our pets, it's important to make sure that illness isn't caused by a disease that can be transmitted to people.
More information about the diseases mentioned above is available on the Worms & Germs Resources page. While we don't have a specific guinea pig info sheet yet, much of the information on the hamster information sheet also applies to guinea pigs.
Nontraditional Pets and Children: Beware
A report about the health risks in children associated with nontraditional pets was recently published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report also discusses diseases associated with animals in public settings such as petting zoos and pet stores. Although contact with pets and animals can be beneficial to growth and development in children, it is very important to be aware of the risks associated with certain kinds of animals. Physicians, veterinarians and public health personnel can help parents select appropriate pets in order to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks to children.
One of the most important pathogens discussed in the report is Salmonella. Although Salmonella can be transmitted by many animal species, including traditional pets like dogs and cats, it is a particularly high risk with certain other kinds of pets, including reptiles, amphibians and baby poultry (chicks and ducklings). It has been estimated that direct or indirect contact with reptiles or amphibians is responsible for 6% of all sporadic Salmonella infections in the US, and 11% of cases among people younger than 21 years. There is also a relatively high risk of Salmonella transmission associated with animal-derived pet treats, such as pig ears, and raw meat.
The report makes several recommendations about how to reduce the risk of infection, injury and allergies from nontraditional pets, many of which you may have seen before on the Worms & Germs website. Just a few of these are:
- Always wash your hands after contact with animals, animal products or their environment, and after contact with animal-derived pet treats.
- Supervise hand washing for children less than five years old
Children less than five years of age and individuals with weakened immune systems should avoid contact with reptiles, amphibians, rodents, ferrets and baby poultry. These animals:
- Should not be kept as pets in households where children less than five years of age or individuals with a weakened immune system live.
- Should not be brought to childcare centres.
- Should not be allowed to roam freely in ANY house or living area.
- Should not be permitted in kitchens or anywhere food is prepared.
More information about Salmonella in pets and the risks associated with feeding raw meat and animal-derived treats to pets can now be found on the Worms & Germs Resources page.
Tularemia Trouble
A case of pneumonic tularemia was recently reported in New York City.
Tularemia is a disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It causes different signs of illness depending on how the bacteria enter the body. If the bacteria are inhaled, it tends to cause pneumonia (pneumonic tularemia). If the bacteria get in through a break in the skin, infection may cause the local lymph nodes (glands) to become very swollen, and in some cases the skin itself may become infected resulting in the formation of large sores (ulcers). Infection can also cause sores in the mouth and diarrhea. The earliest, most common signs are things like fever, headache, chills, sore muscles, and sore throat which often come on very abruptly. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but it is important to see a doctor and start treatment as soon as possible.
Tularemia is also sometimes called "rabbit fever," because the bacteria are often carried by animals such as rabbits and hares. Rodents (including beavers, rats, mice, squirrels etc.) can also carry F. tularensis, and occasionally so can cats and dogs. Some biting insects like deerflies and certain species of ticks can carry the bacteria and transmit it when they bite. Francisella tularensis can also survive in water and soil for a long time. People can become infected by being bitten by an infected insect, handling an infected animal (dead or alive), or coming into contact with feces from an infected animal. Occasionally a person may inhale the bacteria if it is in the air, as may happen with disturbed, dusty, contaminated soil.
More information on tularemia can be found on the CDC's tularemia website.
Things you can do to avoid tularemia:
Avoid touching or handling wildlife (dead or alive), especially rabbits and rodents.
Don't let your pet touch or eat dead animals.
Always wash your hands if you have been working outside in the dirt/soil.
Wear insect repellent containing DEET (visit the Health Canada website for more safety tips)
Make sure you only wash food with and drink water that has been properly treated.
One of the reasons tularemia is such a big deal is it is very infectious - as few a ten bacteria can be enough to make even a healthy person sick! But it is still quite uncommon in North America - about 100-200 cases are reported in people in the USA every year. Between 2002-2004 there were 34 cases reported in Canada, most of which occurred in Quebec and in adults. However, infection can be fatal in a very small number of cases, especially if proper treatment is not given as soon as possible.
