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Post by sandpiper on Dec 4, 2010 21:13:57 GMT
I have just had the fright of my life. Went to put in some fresh veg in one of my boars hutches and sitting side by side next to my boar was a rat! My gp didnt seem at all bothered but I am distraught that my piggy will now have caught some disease from it and just dont know what to do. We have now set traps etc and have moved the piggy back into his old hutch which was having some work done to it and is safe.
What should I look out for with regards to diseases etc. Fortunately the piggy lives on his own so it unlikely to spread any diseases if he has caught something. Do I take him to the vets for a check over? I am so upset and feel I have let him down. Please help
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Post by glossedoutlips on Dec 5, 2010 1:43:20 GMT
look for where you think he got in and try to seal it up. If you have checked him over and see no scratches or bites i dont think he would need a vet. A bath might be something you could do if you worried he came in contact with the rat. RAT RELATED HEALTH HAZARDS & DISEASES Here is information on common diseases caused by rats, as gathered from the Center For Disease Control & Prevention www.cdc.govHantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. Murine Typhus: Murine typhus (caused by infection with R. typhi) occurs worldwide and is transmitted to humans by rat fleas. Flea-infested rats can be found throughout the year in humid tropical environments, but in temperate regions are most common during the warm summer months. Travelers who visit in rat-infested buildings and homes, especially in harbor or riverine environments, can be at risk for exposure to the agent of murine typhus. Rat-bite fever (RBF): Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic bacterial illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis that can be acquired through the bite or scratch of a rodent or the ingestion of food or water contaminated with rat feces. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium: As its name suggests, it causes a typhoid-like disease in mice. In humans S. Typhimurium does not cause as severe disease as S. Typhi, and is not normally fatal. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea, and generally lasts up to 7 days. Unfortunately, in immunocompromized people, that is the elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, Salmonella infections are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics. Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs. Eosinophilic Meningitis: Eosinophilic meningitis is an infection of the brain occurring in association with an increase in the number of eosinophils, white blood cells that are associated with infection with worms that penetrate into the body. The organism most commonly causing eosinophilic meningitis is a rat lung worm called angiostrongylus cantonensis. Rats seek out a warm and safe place to spend the nights, and so they go in attics. They then seek out things to gnaw on, because that's what rodents do. These disease-ridden critters are nocturnal, and can often be heard scampering up the walls and in the attic at night. They chew on electrical wires, contaminate food, and spread diseases, such as the ones outlined above. Check out my Orlando rodent control page for more information on our permanent rat control techniques. We also deal with mouse problems, which you can read about on my Orlando mouse control and mice trapping page. Mouse diseases are often different than those caused by rats, but there is some overlap.
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Post by kellyb on Dec 5, 2010 4:55:24 GMT
Oh man, I seriously think I would have fainted. I am not a fan of rats. I would give your piggie a bath and sterilize the cage the rat was in. At least your boar has another cage to go to now. Hopefully the contact was very limited. I would just keep a close eye on him and give him a good check over for scratches etc...
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Post by sandpiper on Dec 5, 2010 8:51:37 GMT
thanks! I cant tell you how awful I felt. I have checked over my boar and there appears to be no scratches or bites and I have given him a bath so hopefully he will be ok.
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Post by Kayleigh on Dec 5, 2010 10:21:18 GMT
As mentioned above just ensure he has no bite wounds etc. Also try to find where the rat could have got in the hutch as this will need to be sorted. If a rat can get in and out then your piggie could also. Im not a huge fan of rats either so it must have been a horrible shock. At least your piggie seems to be ok.
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Post by tashamary on Dec 5, 2010 21:16:36 GMT
Ive had a similar thing where i found a mouse asleep with my piggies who seemed to be enjoying the extra company?! however there were no bite marks or diseases but a heart attack on my behalf! Tell me if you find any hole because i couldn't find any in my cage and was freaking out that somehow i had locked the mouse in too!
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Post by Orlaith on Dec 7, 2010 20:55:47 GMT
That would be so scary! I'm glad your piggy is okay
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Post by emberstoashes on Apr 30, 2011 5:06:03 GMT
Piggys and rats get along just fine. I work at a pet store, and when a rat gets out it is not uncommon for it to end up with the pigs. They will groom each other and even share the same peice of letus. Please tell me you used a live trap and not one of those awefull back breaking devices, or worse like a sticky pad rat trap.
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