Guinea Pig Contagion?

[piggycuddler_44]

Hi,

I have a bad case of norovirus, and I prepared and gave my guinea pig veggies, hay, treats, cuddles and pats tonight, probably without washing my hands. I sat in the cage for about 30 minutes, not thinking I could be endangering him.

Is there a risk of him catching it? I'm so, so worries, I lost a piggie two weeks ago and my heart is broken.

Please reply

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I have a bad case of norovirus, and I prepared and gave my guinea pig veggies, hay, treats, cuddles and pats tonight, probably without washing my hands. I sat in the cage for about 30 minutes, not thinking I could be endangering him.

Is there a risk of him catching it? I'm so, so worries, I lost a piggie two weeks ago and my heart is broken.

Please reply

Hi

I am ever so sorry about your loss and your illness.

Norovirus can be transmitted. Please use good hand washing hygiene and limit any direct contact (touching your piggy, food, bedding etc. as much as possible during the time you are infectious. Thoroughly soaping your hands is more effective than any alcohol gel but you can also additionally use one way gloves for the feeding or medicating.

Wait with cleaning out the cage until you are better and just concentrate on feeding and any medication your piggy is on at the moment.

Here is our guidance with plenty of very practical tips:

Thread 'Contagion - Inter-species transmission and pet care during owner illness/pregnancy (incl. Covid)'

Feb 28, 2020

1 Covid and Monkey pox Tansmission Risk Assessment re. Guinea Pigs
- Covid
- Monkey pox
2 Ill owners: Contagion and Transmission Risks
3 Human Pregnancy or Immuno-depression and Guinea Pig Care
4 Transmission of Illnesses Between Guinea Pigs and Other Pet Species (Zoonosis)
- Ringworm (multispecies)
- Bordetella (from dogs or rabbits)
- E.cuniculi (from rabbits)
- Fly strike (eggs/maggots from...

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[piggycuddler_44]

What can I do now? Is it treatable? Please don't say I'm going to lose him too

 

[Wiebke]

What can I do now? Is it treatable? Please don't say I'm going to lose him too

Please follow the tips in the link in my previous post in order to prevent any transmission as much as possible in the first place.

Norovirus is not one of the things that jumps easily between humans and guinea pigs but it can happen occasionally. Simple common sense measures as stated in my previous post and in the guide link in that post are usually enough to prevent transmission. Please take the time to read them.

You are not at risk of infecting or - highly unlikely - losing your piggy; especially if you use good hygiene and abstain from cuddles etc.