When some individuals hear the phrase “rabies”, they typically assume this solely impacts canines. In spite of everything, you are taking your canine in to obtain their rabies vaccine repeatedly each 1 to three years. However what about different small mammals like guinea pigs? Nobody has ever urged a rabies vaccine in your guinea pig. Is that one thing it is advisable fear about? Do guinea pigs get rabies? Whereas any mammal can get rabies, pet guinea pigs are unlikely to contract the illness.
What Is the Rabies Virus?
Rabies is a zoonotic virus, which means it may be transmitted between animals and other people. It’s a deadly illness, however we will stop its unfold with vaccinations.
Rabies is often transmitted via saliva, however it’s also possible to get rabies via mind tissue, scratches, and open wounds. Vaccination applications have dramatically decreased rabies in home animals in america. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a priority in sure locations all over the world. In america, a number of wild animal species are thought of frequent carriers for the virus, together with:
- Raccoons
- Bats
- Skunks
- Foxes
Can Guinea Pigs Get Rabies?
Whereas any mammal can get rabies, your guinea pig is unlikely to contract the illness.
There are two foremost causes for this:
First, guinea pigs are saved indoors and caged away from doable illness carriers. It’s uncommon for a raccoon or fox to get into your own home (though actually not inconceivable, so maintain this in thoughts in the event that they do get inside).
Subsequent, as unhappy as it’s to say, in case your guinea pig will get attacked by a rabid animal, they’re not as prone to survive their accidents as a canine is perhaps, so there’s much less likelihood of them creating the illness after publicity.
That stated, there have been circumstances of rabies detected in guinea pigs in america. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation highlighted a case the place a guinea pig seemingly turned contaminated with rabies after being uncovered to a raccoon outdoors, and there have been different experiences extending throughout earlier many years.
Indicators of Rabies in Guinea Pigs
The indicators of rabies that we’d search for in guinea pigs are just like these amongst all mammals.
Most affected animals change their demeanor. They may change into extra affectionate however extra prone to change into withdrawn or aggressive. Even beforehand docile animals would possibly chunk.
Some animals have extreme drooling or foaming on the mouth. Animals with rabies would possibly stagger and even have paralysis. Different neurologic indicators embody convulsions or seizures.
Rabies Prevention in Guinea Pigs
You’ll want to forestall rabies in guinea pigs to forestall their doable publicity. In case you have one other pet that goes indoors and outside, maintain it vaccinated and away out of your guinea pig if it encounters a rabies-infected animal, equivalent to your canine attacking a raccoon in your yard.
In case your guinea pig goes outdoors typically to stretch its legs and revel in some grass, you need to observe it carefully. Don’t let it out unsupervised, which can also be important to attenuate the chance of being preyed on by bigger animals. You possibly can additionally think about a completely enclosed cage to scale back the chance of it coming into contact with different animals.
What to Do if Your Guinea Pig Bites You
Should you’re involved about doable publicity to a rabid guinea pig, contact your veterinarian and your human doctor instantly. Sometimes, animals probably uncovered to rabies are monitored for a while. Your veterinarian will normally work with a number of public well being individuals and probably animal management to find out what steps needs to be taken.
If the animals present indicators that could possibly be in step with rabies, they should be euthanized and examined. Your veterinarian will submit tissue for testing, normally at a metropolis or state laboratory.
Your doctor received’t sometimes suggest an anti-rabies vaccine until there’s been a chance of publicity, as guinea pigs are unlikely to contract rabies. That stated, your doctor will seemingly clear and flush your wound. You would possibly want antibiotics or a tetanus booster vaccination for a nasty wound. Your doctor will work with you to find out doable publicity and suggest remedy.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Can I get rabies from guinea pigs?
Whereas guinea pigs can have rabies, it is extremely uncommon in america for a lot of of our small pets to get the virus, together with:
Rabbits
Hamsters
Rats
Mice
Squirrels
Chipmunks
As a result of it’s so uncommon, it could be extremely unusual so that you can get rabies out of your guinea pig. The CDC experiences that there haven’t been any circumstances of people contracting the virus from these animals.
Do guinea pigs want rabies pictures?
There isn’t a rabies vaccine labeled to be used in guinea pigs. In case your veterinarian recommends it, they’d be utilizing the vaccine off-label, and we don’t know the way efficient it could be. Sometimes, we don’t give guinea pigs vaccines.
What animals don’t get rabies?
Some animals don’t seem to have the ability to get rabies. Whereas any mammal can technically get contaminated with the virus, these animals don’t:
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can get rabies, but it surely’s very unusual for them to be uncovered to the virus, not to mention contract it. Should you’re involved that your guinea pig might have been uncovered to a rabid animal, you’ll must contact your veterinarian instantly to find out the subsequent steps you’ll take.
Featured Picture Credit score: PHOTO FUN, Shutterstock