Guinea pigs and EHEC?

[Elitah]

Am quite active here today, sorry. As you all might have heard from the news, there is a big EHEC-problem in Germany, especially Northern Germany where we live. 21 people have died from a very aggressive form of that disease and here in the North, the hospitals are in a bit of trouble because of all the people with EHEC.

Sadly, you can't really get proper information here, aside from the news. This country isn't dealing well with the problems, there isn't even a hotline you can call. We have been warned not to eat vegetables raw, especially not tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers - and spouts, apparently. So we eat everything cooked, but the guniea pigs need fresh vegetables. We still give them carrots (which I feel very bad about) and I cut up apples for them, but I#m scared. I don't know if guinea pigs can get it, but we also can't stop giving them fresh food. Any advice would be welcome, I'm really a little desperate at the moment.

 

[MrsM]

Hi. I don't know the answer to your questions regarding carrots and apples, sorry.

By EHEC, do you mean E.Coli?

 

[Suzygpr]

This is a subject many forum members have been concerned about.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=69223

The news here, the small amount I've seen, says that it has been traced to bean sprouts used in salads. I'm sure if you search in the BBC news website there will be informed information.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[mikulinek]

It sounds a bit drastic but, until further notice, I would avoid fresh fruit and veg in Germany at the moment. Until the E. Coli thing is over, why don't you try feeding fresh grass from where you are? As long as there are no treatments/pesticides etc. this is perfectly healthy and very natural for piggies and it will save you having to worry about whether this or that vegetable is safe or not

good luck and best wishes x

 

[JoBo]

yes i agree as long as your dry food has vitamin c in it will not harm your pigs to go without until it is sorted. Mayby you could get some treats from the pet shop, the ones where the fruit is dried and comes on a nibble stick, it will give your pigs a treat that they are missing out on from the fresh stuff xx

 

[Wiebke]

I would feed veg only peeled (like carrots, cucumbers and apples) and use disposable gloves to do so. You can put peppers and tomatoes into boiling hot water for a minute or two, so you can peel off the skin, too, without cooking them.

Cabbages and lettuces are a bit more of a problem. If the worries persist, you could think about growing your own cut-and-come lettuce from seed in a windowsill box, as well as herbs like parsley, basil, coriander, dill, mint.

 

[christine]

I have been washing cucumbers and tomatoes in weak Milton sterilizing fluid.

 

[Glynis]

Am quite active here today, sorry. As you all might have heard from the news, there is a big EHEC-problem in Germany, especially Northern Germany where we live. 21 people have died from a very aggressive form of that disease and here in the North, the hospitals are in a bit of trouble because of all the people with EHEC.

Sadly, you can't really get proper information here, aside from the news. This country isn't dealing well with the problems, there isn't even a hotline you can call. We have been warned not to eat vegetables raw, especially not tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers - and spouts, apparently. So we eat everything cooked, but the guniea pigs need fresh vegetables. We still give them carrots (which I feel very bad about) and I cut up apples for them, but I#m scared. I don't know if guinea pigs can get it, but we also can't stop giving them fresh food. Any advice would be welcome, I'm really a little desperate at the moment.

Sorry yes we have seen this too in Australia :..., we hope that you and your family and the piggies will be OK XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX