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When some folks hear the phrase “rabies”, they usually assume this solely impacts canines. In spite of everything, you’re taking your canine in to obtain their rabies vaccine usually each 1 to three years. However what about different small mammals like guinea pigs? Nobody has ever advised a rabies vaccine to your guinea pig. Is that one thing you must 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, that means it may be transmitted between animals and other people. It’s a deadly illness, however we will forestall its unfold with vaccinations.
Rabies is often transmitted by way of saliva, however it’s also possible to get rabies by way of mind tissue, scratches, and open wounds. Vaccination applications have dramatically decreased rabies in home animals in the USA. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a priority in sure locations around the globe. In the USA, 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 primary causes for this:
First, guinea pigs are stored 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 hold 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 more likely to survive their accidents as a canine may be, so there’s much less probability of them growing the illness after publicity.
That mentioned, there have been instances of rabies detected in guinea pigs in the USA. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation highlighted a case the place a guinea pig probably turned contaminated with rabies after being uncovered to a raccoon outdoors, and there have been different stories extending throughout earlier many years.
Indicators of Rabies in Guinea Pigs
The indicators of rabies that we might search for in guinea pigs are much like these amongst all mammals.
Most affected animals change their demeanor. They may change into extra affectionate however extra more likely to change into withdrawn or aggressive. Even beforehand docile animals may chunk.
Some animals have extreme drooling or foaming on the mouth. Animals with rabies may stagger and even have paralysis. Different neurologic indicators embody convulsions or seizures.
Rabies Prevention in Guinea Pigs
You’ll want to stop rabies in guinea pigs to stop their doable publicity. When you’ve got one other pet that goes indoors and open air, hold it vaccinated and away out of your guinea pig if it encounters a rabies-infected animal, akin 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 intently. Don’t let it out unsupervised, which can be important to attenuate the chance of being preyed on by bigger animals. You would additionally contemplate 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. Usually, animals probably uncovered to rabies are monitored for a while. Your veterinarian will often work with a number of public well being folks and probably animal management to find out what steps needs to be taken.
If the animals present indicators that might be according to rabies, they should be euthanized and examined. Your veterinarian will submit tissue for testing, often at a metropolis or state laboratory.
Your doctor received’t sometimes advocate an anti-rabies vaccine until there’s been a chance of publicity, as guinea pigs are unlikely to contract rabies. That mentioned, your doctor will probably clear and flush your wound. You may want antibiotics or a tetanus booster vaccination for a nasty wound. Your doctor will work with you to find out doable publicity and advocate remedy.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Can I get rabies from guinea pigs?
Whereas guinea pigs can have rabies, it is extremely uncommon in the USA 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 will be extremely unusual so that you can get rabies out of your guinea pig. The CDC stories that there haven’t been any instances of people contracting the virus from these animals.
Do guinea pigs want rabies photographs?
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 understand how efficient it will be. Usually, 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, nevertheless it’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
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