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Can piggies be affected by human illnesses

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woo

woo

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I'm not sure if this has been asked before but i couldn't find anything.

I am full of cold at the mo, a real stinker:)>>> and am worried about passing something on to my piggies, I have avoided lap time today just in case:(

Does anyone know if they are safe from my germs?

thanks
woo
x>>
 
It is very rare for a piggy to catch a virus, they are more prone to bacterial infections. Although i have never heard of anything other than ring worm being transmitted between piggy and owner i do not know for sure. I would think if you keep your hands clean and dont actually sneeze ON them, you would probably be alright but hopefully someone more experienced will tell you more in the morning. :)
 
They can catch colds from us so either wear a mask when handling or sit back and relax while you make someone else wait on them ;)
Hope you feel better soon.
 
Sorry for the late thanks for replies, I played it safe but didn't feel up to it anyway, poor piggies have not had cuddles for 5 days:0 I think i had man flu :)) just the cough to get rid of now so they will have extra cuddles tomorrow:)
 
From someone who has worked extensively on flu virus in ferrets...and many other microbiological diseases:


1) Piggies do not catch human cold viruses. The viruses responsible for human colds are generally rhinovirus which cannot jump to other animals..

2) However, Human FLU viruses CAN theoretically jump the species gap - (swine and bird flu jumped to us from their respective hosts). Human flu has, in an experimental situation at high doses, been shown to infect piggies. Flu is distinguished from a cold by a temperature and general malaise such that you ache/can;t move and are physically bed bound for a few days.

3) Antibacterial gel kills bacteria NOT viruses (uness it also contains a viricidal chemical). Virkon kills viruses.


Anyone with a respiratory virus infection can then get a secondary bacterial infection in the lungs - manifested by coughing up yellow/gree goo - in which case you need to go to the doctor to get some antibioitics. If the goo is clear/white then it is just a feature of the flu/respiratory virus infection. Antibioitics ONLY kill bacteria, not viruses

If you are feeling poorly and cannot know if you have a cold virus or mild flu virus then it is best to keep away from your piggies. Because if they get exposed to flu, then even if it doesn;t cause clinical symptoms in them (which is unlikely) it can weaken their immune systems and make secondary bacterial respiratory infections a problem.

If you have to go near your piggesi then make sure you don;t hold them close to your face and wash your hands with a viricidal scrub such as virkon

In the major human flu pandemics, the fatalities were mainly caused by secondary bacterial pneumonia in the elderly or immunocompromised individuals.....not the flu virus itself.

I hope this helps clear up the misconceptions posted on this thread
 
Thanks for taking the time to explain Pebble, very interesting reading I have copied it for future ref :)

I have only ever had flu twice in nearly 50 years so i know the difference but many people don't and i'm sure others will find your info helpful, especially with winter bugs coming up.

Thank youx>>
 
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