Silly question (probably) - illnesses

[Cavy2009]

I know we can not catch illnesses from Piggies, but can piggies catch them from us?

 

[flintstones]

We can catch (I think) Ringworm from animals.

I would say no, but not too sure! rolleyes...

 

[Wiebke]

There is not much that can cross either way.

Ringworm (very infectious fungus) is one of the few things that can. If you suspect ringworm, isolate the infected piggy and treat it with gloves and a pullover/apron only used for holding the piggy. Wash your hands before and after leaving the room. Feed/clean/treat an infected piggy always last, so you're not carrying the fungus to the others. Ringworm is mostly a problem in shop bought or freshly rescued piggies.
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

 

[flintstones]

There is not much that can cross either way.

Ringworm (very infectious fungus) is one of the few things that can. If you suspect ringworm, isolate the infected piggy and treat it with gloves and a pullover/apron only used for holding the piggy. Wash your hands before and after leaving the room. Feed/clean/treat an infected piggy always last, so you're not carrying the fungus to the others. Ringworm is mostly a problem in shop bought or freshly rescued piggies.
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

Thanks Wiebke... I was just mentioning an illness that can cross, between people and animals... We are Ringworm free here !

 

[Tracyxx]

If we have a cold/flu etc I don't think that can be passed from human to guinea pig, I don't think we could catch URIs from them either. I know that lice will bite humans/irritate skin but can't live on us, but fungal infections aren't species specific and can be passed on like Joanne and Wiebke said!

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

Actually, some diseases in cavies are zoonotic. Ringworm, mange, salmonellosis and yersiniosis (pseudotuberculosis), which is extremely rare, to name but a few, are transmissible to humans. Then, of course, there are allergic responses.

On the other hand, I believe the above diseases can also be transmitted from human to cavy, and cavies are highly susceptible to bacterial respiratory infections that may be transmitted from humans.

However, zoonotic diseases rarely occur between humans and cavies.

 

[Cavy2009]

Thanks all.

I have a bacterial repisratory problem so may have to move away from piggies for a while.

 

[Castaway]

Peter Gurney was convinced that human respiratory infections could affect piggies, so if I have a cold, I try to have minimum contact with them, give them food on a big spoon without touching and wash my hands well before and after.