Pregnent women or persons with weakened immune systems should seriously consider not owning a pet rodent. If they do have pet rodents, the pet rodents should be housed in a separate room and cared for by other people. Contact your physician for more information.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which is known to be carried by wild mice, can infect humans or pet rodents when they become exposed to contaminated urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting material from wild mice. Some pet rodents may carry LCM virus. Most people who become infected with LCMV do not get sick or have only mild flu-like illness. People with weakened immune systems may develop more severe illness. Women infected during pregnancy may have babies with birth defects.
Salmonella is a bacterium that rodents and other companion pets can carry, which may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Salmonella can be contracted through accidental ingestion of fecal material from infected pets. This ingestion can take place by not washing your hands after having contact with the pet. Salmonella is at greatest threat to children because of their tendency to put their fingers in their mouths.
Here are some simple steps that owners of pet rodents should take in order to minimize the chance of getting sick from their animals:
1. Wash Hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling pet rodents or cleaning up pet droppings, cages, or areas where pets have been.
2. Keep rodent cages clean and free of soiled bedding.
3. Clean cages in a well-ventilated area or outside. Wear rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves and wash hands thoroughly when your done. Once the cage is washed clean of organic material, disinfect it with a dilute bleach solution (one-half cup of bleach to one gallon of warm water). Let the bleach solution remain on the cage and all food bowls, water dishes, and beds for ten minutes and then thoroughly rinse them with warm water.
4. Closely supervise young children, especially those under the age of five, when cleaning cages, and make sure they wash their hands immediately after handling pet rodents and caging or bedding.
5. Do not kiss pet rodents or hold them close to the face.
6. Do not allow pets in kitchens or around food preparation areas.
7. Do not allow pet rodents to come in contact with wild rodents or their droppings or nests. Do not allow pet rodents in areas with wild mice, such as garages and back yards.
Courtesy of: Norwalk Veterinary Medical Center