Can piggies catch shingles

[Winniepeg]

I am due to go away for a couple of days but my piggie sitter has shingles. Can this be harmful to piggies? I would be grateful for and advice

 

[Tigermoth]

I have no idea but shingles is the varicella zoster virus, the same one that causes chicken pox. It is less contagious though as you aren't coughing and spluttering virus out in your secretions (droplet borne, hence why it does the rounds in schools etc from droplets on toys and door handles etc). The blisters contain virus so contact with blisters is risky. If the blisters are covered any transmission risk is negligible. Not impossible but unlikely.

 

[Wiebke]

I have never heard of shingles or any of the children's illnesses jumping to guinea pigs (measles, chicken pox, rubicella, mumps etc) so a transmission risk is fairly unlikely.

Normal good hand washing hygiene before and after any contact with your guinea pigs should do the trick and should be used in any case - including by you.
Here are our practical tips around species jumping transmissions either ways: Contagion - Inter-species transmission and pet care during owner illness/pregnancy (incl. Covid)

 

[Winniepeg]

Thank you for your comments. After careful consideration I’ve decided to postpone my break away. My boys come first