OMG - Has anyone heard of LCMV?

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ThisLittlePiggie

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LCMV - Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
I have 3 guinea pigs which I got from rescue a couple of months ago, and had never heard of this.

Now I have just found out that I am pregnant and this is potentially lethal to my unborn baby. Apparently Guinea Pigs can carry it without symptoms, and by just sweeping up droppings I could contract the virus and it could cause serious defects or even miscarrage

I am shocked, and very upset by this finding, and am now faced with the prospect of hoping the rescue will have them back. To make matters worse, one of the girls has injured her eye and needs eye drops twice a day so I am really worried they will think that's the reason I am returning them and may say no.

any help/advice would be greatly appreciated
 
:o :o Oh dear! Ive never heard of it! I'm sure the rescue will take them back if you just explain your worrys or maybe someone can look after them for you until the baby is born? I hope you sort something out soon!
 
From what I understand after a quick read is that guinea pigs can catch it from house mice if they have come into contact with an infected one. It sounds quite rare?

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]the number of documented LCMV infections from pets has been rare.[/FONT]
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Guinea pigs have uncommonly been infected.
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I would think the need to rehome is low, wear rubber gloves when cleaning the cage? Thorough hand washing/ use anti bac hand gels? Or is there someone else who could take care of cleaning duties?

I'm sure members on here who have been pregnant and kept GPs will advise.

Good luck with the pregnancy.
 
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Like Bailey said, from what I have read it is very uncommon. If your pigs and house were infested with mice you might have more cause to worry but loads of people have pigs while they are pregnant.

How did you find out about it? Were you actually warned by a doctor or did you heard/read it somewhere?
 
yes, I saw these 2 comments but as I know they originally came from a large 'hobby breeder' and were removed by the rspca in terrible state with parasites I am very worried.
I spoke to my vet who is apparently a 'small animal specialist' and he advised me to take them back as it's not worth the risk.

he also said quote "we dont tend to investigate sick guinea pigs very much, if they are ill we put them down which is why it doesn't appear very common"
 
piggyme234 said:
How did you find out about it? Were you actually warned by a doctor or did you heard/read it somewhere?
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I was searching on eye problems as she has poked her eye on something and it came up, so when I was in the vets with her I asked them about it
 
I don't think its very common, there have been quite a few members on here that have had guinea pigs whilst pregnant and have had no problems. Sophie (a member on here) is pregnant and runs a rescue! Perhaps you could speak to your doctor/midwife about it? Before making the big decision to re home your piggies.
 
ThisLittlePiggie said:
yes, I saw these 2 comments but as I know they originally came from a large 'hobby breeder' and were removed by the rspca in terrible state with parasites I am very worried.
I spoke to my vet who is apparently a 'small animal specialist' and he advised me to take them back as it's not worth the risk.

he also said quote "we dont tend to investigate sick guinea pigs very much, if they are ill we put them down which is why it doesn't appear very common"
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The VET said that?
What a pow-pow pow-pow :a19: :a19: mallethead mallethead :x

Time for a new vet me thinks
 
Branston&Pickles said:
I don't think its very common, there have been quite a few members on here that have had guinea pigs whilst pregnant and have had no problems. Sophie (a member on here) is pregnant and runs a rescue! Perhaps you could speak to your doctor/midwife about it? Before making the big decision to re home your piggies.
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thanks, I will try and speak to one tomorrow...... my other half wants them gone by tomorrow as he is terrified also :(
 
Owning cats and gardening are also a risk during pregnancy and I just took extra precautions such as wearing gloves in the garden and when doing the litter tray and I made sure if I had been stroking the cats that I washed my hands thoroughly. I would check with a doctor or vet to put your mind at rest.
 
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I agree with the previous poster Time for a new vet!

I've never heard of this but had a quick google here's a bit from the medic8 site that mentions there is a test to check if animals are infected with the virus:

Who is at risk for LCMV infection?

Individuals of all ages who come into contact with urine, feces, saliva, or blood of the house mouse are potentially at risk for infection. Laboratory workers who work with the virus or handle infected animals are also at risk. However, this risk can be minimized by utilizing animals from sources that regularly test for the virus, wearing proper protective laboratory gear, and following appropriate safety precautions. Owners of pet mice or hamsters may be at risk for infection if these animals originate from colonies that have become contaminated with LCMV, or if the animals become infected from other wild mice. Human foetuses are at risk of acquiring infection vertically from an infected mother.

What can I do to prevent getting LCMV?

LCMV infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with house mice and taking precautions when handling pet rodents (i.e. mice, hamsters, or guinea pigs).
 
I don't know anything about this and you must go with what you think is best in the end. Just wondered if there is anyone who could look after your pigs for a few months instead of you giving them up (as an alternative option), maybe a friend or relative. Or perhaps the rescue could board or foster them for you, you can always pay for their upkeep.
See what your gp says first.

Best wishes. xx
 
Most reported cases are in the USA and even there it is uncommon. I really wouldn't worry about it. Do chat with some of the other new mums and mums to be on here. There are quite a few and nobody else has ever had any problems or been advised to give up the pigs.

I would on the other hand be worried about a vet that had that attitude towards my girls.
 
I would think that some sensible precautions like wearing gloves and thorough handwashing when handling or cleaning out your piggies or asking your hubby to do it while you are pregnant should take care of the problem.

No need to panic - your piggies need to have been in contact with mice first!
 
Wiebke said:
I would think that some sensible precautions like wearing gloves and thorough handwashing when handling or cleaning out your piggies or asking your hubby to do it while you are pregnant should take care of the problem.

No need to panic - your piggies need to have been in contact with mice first!
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am doing the gloves etc, no-one else to clean them out :(

as they came from a 'hobby breeder' in such poor conditions I would think there was a very good chance they have been in contact with mice :{
 
only a couple of months..... I have emailed the rescue to see what they say. I know I should phone them but everytime I think about them going I end up in tears

we in cambridgeshire
 
I asked because I wondered if anyone could help you out if you are that worried. I'm sure the rescue understand how much you care about your guinea pigs and your just trying to do whats best for your baby and them :) x
 
Where exactly did you get your girls from? a 'hobby breeder' or a rescue?

If you got them from a 'hobby breeder' i would be reluctant to hand them back. Breeding is not a hobby and isn't fun for the females involved :(

If you got them from a reputable rescue, then i don't see a problem in them having them back from you either on a temporary basis (until you've given birth) or on a permanent basis for re-homing.

I know nothing about LCMV - but reading up on this in humans i found the following bit of info:

LCMV infection manifests itself in a wide range of clinical symptoms, and may even be asymptomatic for immunocompetent individuals. Onset typically occurs between one or two weeks after exposure to the virus and is followed by a biphasic febrile illness. During the initial or prodromal phase, which may last up to a week, common symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, headache, muscle aches, malaise, nausea, and/or vomiting. Less frequent symptoms include a sore throat and cough, as well as joint, chest, and parotid pain. The onset of the second phase occurs several days after recovery, and consists of symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. Pathological findings during the first stage consist of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. During the second phase, typical findings include elevated protein levels, increased leukocyte count, or a decrease in glucose levels of the cerebrospinal fluid).

If you've had your girls a few months then i would have thought you'd have had some of the human symptoms already?

Like i said i'm no expert and have never heard of LCMV.
 
ThisLittlePiggie said:
I spoke to my vet who is apparently a 'small animal specialist' and he advised me to take them back as it's not worth the risk.

he also said quote "we dont tend to investigate sick guinea pigs very much, if they are ill we put them down which is why it doesn't appear very common"
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Small animal specialist my ARSE! What an awful attitude he has, I wouldn't listen to a word that he says.
 
I'm sure you will be fine. Women have been having babies for hundreds of years while chasing mice out of their houses/helping with lambing/other such things, and the human race is still in tact.

You're not meant to eat omelettes when you're pregnant, but my mum did. You're not meant to drink, and she had half a pint of guinness every couple of weeks as she was severely aneamic with me and iron tablets made her constipated.

If women did every single thing they are meant to do or not do when they get pregnant, nothing would ever get done. My mate was told to stop mucking her horse out at 4 months gone, well she mucked her out the day she gave birth and whaddaya know, baby was fine and healthy (and the horse was nice and clean and happy!)

If you're that worried, give them to someone to foster til you pop, then have them back.
 
Sodapops said:
Where exactly did you get your girls from? a 'hobby breeder' or a rescue?

If you got them from a 'hobby breeder' i would be reluctant to hand them back. Breeding is not a hobby and isn't fun for the females involved :(
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I got them from rescue, they got them through rspca from 'hobby breeder' who agreed to hand about 27 or so over. I totally agree with what you say about them.... one of my girls has had at least one litter and was only about 6/7 months old when handed over, they recon the other has had at least 2 litters at 11 months or so. Poor things... they are very happy now with their neutered husband :)

Thanks to everyone for their advice and information, although I have probably read every google link on LCMV twice now! I do feel a bit less stressed out after posting on here, shame hubby doesn't share this feeling.
I will have a chat with my GP and maybe get a second opinion from a different vet, as I am far from impressed with the current one!
 
oh god don't google- it's always guaranteed to panic you!

I think if it was a real concern it would be in the pregnancy books you get from the midwife etc, I know I was told about cat litter, but in all honesty the risks of most of these things are so, so small, there's all the stuff about soft cheeses etc, yet listeria from cheese is practically unheard of, I think they're so, so careful about things and if this was of concern they would ask all pregnant women if they have guinea pigs etc- I've been pregnant twice in the last 3 years and have never been asked.

Hope your GP can put your mind at rest x
 
I had multiple guineas throughout both pregnancies, I also work with all animals at the vet practice - obviously most especially sick animals..whilst pregnant I also nursed/hand reared sick/abondoned wild animals and never had any problems. Most of my female colleagues have also had children.

I have heard of LCMV and from what I understand the risk is very slight.
 
Couldn't you wear one of those white masks when cleaning, and sweeping, wash your hands constantly - get one of those hand sanitising gels :) If you really don't feel comfortable, and are truly worried take them back, but if its rare and you take the right precautions, it should be fine! If you want to keep them but your OH doesn't, let him read up about it, and read this! :D
 
From CDC.gov
Should pregnant women be concerned about owning a hamster or other rodent?

Although the risk of LCMV infection from pet rodents is generally low. However, pregnant women should be aware of the risks associated with acquiring LCMV infection during pregnancy. Some of the following precautions can be taken to reduce even further the risk of acquiring LCMV infection during pregnancy:
  • Pregnant women should avoid contact with wild rodents. If you have a household rodent infestation, it should be addressed promptly by a professional pest control company or another member of the household.
  • Keep your pet rodent in a separate part of the home and ask another family member or friend to clean the cage and care for the pet. Avoid prolonged stays in the room where the rodent resides.
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I've never heard of this virus before, but I just wanted to say...alot of people are mentioning the antibacterial gels, I really can not stress how important and effective hand washing is with good old fashioned soap and water. Alcohol gel does not kill some viruses-including norovirus (the "winter stomach bug"), and should only ever be used when soap and water is not readily available...it is certainly not better, or a replacement to this.
 
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