Guinea Pigs And Mice Together?

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Cavyhappy

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Hi,

I found a tame baby wild mouse in my house and I was wondering if I could put it in with the guinea pigs? I read somewhere that the pigs will kill it, is that true?

Thanks
 
I agree with piggyfan it would not be a good idea to put it with the guinea pigs. Find a nice spot and let the little mouse go free.Don't worry it will be fine that's what it was born to do
 
Thanks guys, I wasn't planning on keeping it forever; it just seemed a little injured the way it walked and it was far too vulnerable (it crawled onto my hand). I have let it go outside so it's free but still near the house.
Thanks again :)
 
I thought well, if the guinea pigs invite him/her, he/she can stay if he/she wants to :) (their hutch is outside)
 
Really!? I wasn't planning on keeping it for good, but just until it's injury got better
 
I don't think it's illegal where I live, but surely if you were just helping it out that would be okay
 
@Amanda1801
is that really true, even if its injured? Or is it because they are considered vermin and spreaders of disease?

I would not put it in with the piggies though, they might kill it or it might spread disease.

@Cavyhappy is it true that its illegal to keep hamsters as pets in Australia?
 
Goth Mummy said:
@Amanda1801
is that really true, even if its injured? Or is it because they are considered vermin and spreaders of disease?

I would not put it in with the piggies though, they might kill it or it might spread disease.

@Cavyhappy is it true that its illegal to keep hamsters as pets in Australia?
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Yes, it's so sad :( Oh well, at least we can have piggies :)
 
It's great that you want to help the mouse but I would suggest it might be better to find a wildlife rescue near you that have experience of looking after these types of creatures and the proper facilities to do so. In the mean time I would suggest the mouse is kept "in quarantine" away from your own pets in a separate room and you observe strict hygiene measures such as washing hands etc after handling.

The big issue with bringing a wild mouse into ANY TYPE OF CONTACT with your guinea pigs (or their food/bedding) is the risk of disease. Wild mice can carry all sorts of diseases that can be spread to guinea pigs via mouse urine/droppings. The most important one is Salmonella - which can kill guinea pigs (slowly - they do not have the same symptoms we humans do) . The second is LCM virus which, (unless you have very deep pockets and an extremely good vet who specialises in infectious disease) would never be diagnosed as the cause if your guinea pig was sick and is sadly incurable. Both diseases can also be transmitted from mice/guinea pigs to humans.

However - Not every wild mouse is carrying these bugs - just as not every mosquito carries malaria. You have to weigh up the risks and make your decisions accordingly

As to whether the guinea pigs would kill the mouse (or the mouse would bite the guinea pigs) - that is a concern if you kept them in the same space together but there is far more risk to guinea pigs from rats then there is from mice. I have recently seen the results of a rescue where guinea pigs had lost most of their ears because rats had attacked them.......and I have also watched a rat in broad daylight nearly chew it's way through a door into one of my outdoor piggy cages (with the pigs inside) in less than 10 mins.

So by all means look after the mouse - but keep it in a completely separate area and don;t introduce it to your piggies!

x
 
piglet_and_rogers_mama said:
No hamsters as pets in Australia? What is the reason? I find that bizarre. :hmm:
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Not only no hamsters, but in Queensland we are not allowed bunnies either! I think it's because too many introduced animals have run riot in OZ where they have no natural predators. So, they try to keep foreign animals out of areas where they have not already established themselves.

@Cavyhappy any injured wildlife you find can be taken to your nearest vet, where they are obliged to look after and pass it on to wildlife carers for recovery. I've had to do this 3 times now.
 
Today, he came back looking even worse, and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go. He was dying in my hand and there was nothing I could do; the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary near us wouldn't have even been able to do anything it was that close to death (besides, they would have used him as snake bait). So I put him (I named him Bucky) protected in an open container laid on its side with fern leaves as bedding for him to lie on. I put the container under long fern so it was safe from predators and gave him a flower and wished him goodbye, knowing he was almost dead.
I get very attached to animals so am extremely emotional right now; I hope I did the right thing.
:(:bye:
 
I only knew him for 2 days, but I miss him. I suspect that he's, it sounds horrible but, probably dead now so at least he was put out of his misery and over rainbow bridge
 
What a caring heart you have. Sadly nature can be very cruel!
 
So sorry & very sad ending. For future reference please take such cases to the nearest vet. If the animal is too far gone they will at least PTS them humanely rather then letting them suffer. As I said earlier they are obliged to handle sick or injured wildlife at no cost to you - it is the law. I've been to Currumbin a few times with my granddaughters. I am distressed to hear about the snake food - although I doubt they would have fed a sick mouse to a snake as it might cause the snake to become sick.
 
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