General Rats and Guinea Pigs

[lisa325]

Quick question for those of you who own rats and pigs. A friend has asked me to take care of her two pet rats while she's on vacation next month. I would be keeping them in a separate room away from any of our pigs. I just want to be sure our pigs will be safe, and cannot contract any infections or diseases from the rats. I want to help her out, but of course our pigs are our 100% priority. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[spy9doc]

Lisa.....

I have no experience with rats......just what I read and hear from others. I doubt that the piggies will be in any danger, especially if the ratties are in a separate room.

The biggest danger is that you may become attached to them! lol From what rat owners report, ratties are very clean, human-oriented, loving and clever.

Insofar as I'm concerned, I'd love such an opportunity on a temporary basis.

 

[CritterSlave]

For what it?s worth mycoplasma only effects mice and rats, not guinea pigs.


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[bpatters]

Guinea pigs can be carriers of mycoplasma -- there's even a strain named for them: Mycoplasma caviae

 

[CritterSlave]

Yes but the strain that affects and is carried by rats and mice is not transmittable to guinea pigs and vise versa. Mycoplasma strains tend to not jump species barriers.


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[lisa325]

Thank you all for your input, I'll let you know how it goes, it should be an interesting experience lol.