Advice on Bordetella, the transmission of other bugs and dogs being around piggies.

[CuddlePigMum]

Hi Everyone

Just looking for a bit of advice/experience on what everyone does with regards to dogs, pigs and Bordetella.

I keep my two boars in a cage on the living room floor where they love to keep an eye on us and beg for food and attention. However, I’ve got the in-laws visiting in a couple of weeks and they’re bringing their dog, she’s very well behaved and fully up to date on all vaccinations (last boosters July). The pigs have been around the dog previously without any issues, however over the weekend one of my piggies has developed a grunt to his breathing. He’s been to the vets and they think it’s a mild irritation of the upper respiratory tract, he’s on anti-inflammatories and sounds loads better this morning. However, before I got the vets appointment, I naturally did a bit of reading on possibilities and Bordetella (kennel cough) was one of the things that popped up - Bordetella is a zoonotic bacteria, which means other species of animal can catch it, such as piggies and rabbits.

This hasn’t been something I’d ever thought about previously, and I’d just like to ask the forum for some advice and experience on dogs being around and in the same room as piggies.
Obviously the dog won’t have any direct access to the piggies and we make sure the dog doesn’t go up to the cage and scare them, but I obviously don’t want to risk my piggies catching an illness from the dog. The dog will be sleeping in the kitchen and will obviously never been alone with the piggies.

What do you guys do with regards to dogs and piggies in the same house?
What precautions should I be taking?
Would it just be safer to tell the in-laws not to bring the dog?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lady Kelly]

I would imagine if the dog is not showing signs of illness that everything would be fine but you are right to think cautiously especially with an already poorly piggy whose immune system would be more susceptible to other illnesses. Does the dog ever go anywhere where catching kennel cough is more likely? And is the dog vaccinated against it?

Our puppy has had the vaccine and will have this annually as he goes to day care 3 days a week (the days both of us are out at work). I doubt this is stops kennel cough completely but increases his chance of fighting off the illness. I would have a chat to your parents about it and see what the situation is, I'm sure they will understand your concerns.

 

[CuddlePigMum]

Thanks for getting back to me Lady Kelly.

She doesn't really go into boarding, she's such a well behaved dog their fortunate to always have friends willing to take her for a few days if need be. So its really just the standard walks, trip to the parks and a few play sessions with a friends dog. She's vaccinated against it every 6 months along with her other boosters, although from the basic reading I've done I understand this doesn't mean she can't be a carrier.

It's just a bit of a concern when I know how serious URI's can get rather rapidly.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Everyone

Just looking for a bit of advice/experience on what everyone does with regards to dogs, pigs and Bordetella.

I keep my two boars in a cage on the living room floor where they love to keep an eye on us and beg for food and attention. However, I’ve got the in-laws visiting in a couple of weeks and they’re bringing their dog, she’s very well behaved and fully up to date on all vaccinations (last boosters July). The pigs have been around the dog previously without any issues, however over the weekend one of my piggies has developed a grunt to his breathing. He’s been to the vets and they think it’s a mild irritation of the upper respiratory tract, he’s on anti-inflammatories and sounds loads better this morning. However, before I got the vets appointment, I naturally did a bit of reading on possibilities and Bordetella (kennel cough) was one of the things that popped up - Bordetella is a zoonotic bacteria, which means other species of animal can catch it, such as piggies and rabbits.

This hasn’t been something I’d ever thought about previously, and I’d just like to ask the forum for some advice and experience on dogs being around and in the same room as piggies.
Obviously the dog won’t have any direct access to the piggies and we make sure the dog doesn’t go up to the cage and scare them, but I obviously don’t want to risk my piggies catching an illness from the dog. The dog will be sleeping in the kitchen and will obviously never been alone with the piggies.

What do you guys do with regards to dogs and piggies in the same house?
What precautions should I be taking?
Would it just be safer to tell the in-laws not to bring the dog?

Thanks in advance!

Hi!

Please keep dogs and piggies in separate rooms if at all possible. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and boisterous dogs can really stress them out.

Bordetellosis is generally fatal for guinea pigs; it is not your classic bacterial URI. It is more often transmitted by dogs with kennel cough or freshly vaccinated against it rather than by cohabiting rabbits in usually less than pristine surroundings, who can carry it without showing symptoms.

You may find the information in this guide here helpful, especially re. transmission around the time of kennel cough vaccinations when bordetella is shed by dogs: Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

 

[amy104]

I don't allow my dogs around my piggies or rats for 14 days post vaccine.