Guinea pig hygiene

[Simplemind]

We have 2 new baby guinea pigs and have just cleaned them out without wearing gloves but did wash my hands after. Do you wear gloves for doing this? I have been googling if Pigs carry germs and come across Lcmv . Now I am a bit paranoid about kids holding them.

[Dillie]

When I am cleaning them out I always wear gloves. But I always wear gloves for everything as my skin is sensitive and drys out easily. I also work at a wildlife centre so I guess it's a habit more than anything else.

As for lcmv I think the only issue is if the gp's are poorly, in which case you wouldn't let the kids handle as a poorly gp is a very grumpy gp! (In my experience) It does look as if mainly wild rodents carry it, so assuming gp's are fit and well, then I don't think you need to be overly worried. Looks like it gives gp's the trots, so I wouldn't let kids near them tbh.

Always use care/sensible and make sure kids wash their hands thoroughly after. I must admit, my gp's are terrified of my dd and I do the cleaning. Will your kids muck out?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I've googled LCMV (never heard of it) but it appears to be a risk more from infected wild rodents (wild rats , wild mice). Guinea-pigs are probably more at risk from their owners germs TBH.
Most virus and bacteria are species specific so although they can be passed from rat-pet rodent-people it's less common.

There's also Weils Disease from infected rat urine (nice to think about when people tell you about rats climbing all over supermarket trolleys


So - do I wear gloves to clean the pigs? No. Never have done. I'm like Steptoe (the old one in Steptoe and Son) cleaning the hay with my bare hands. But he sat down with his sandwich after mucking out the horse.

Hand washing, yes. I'm a HCP, handwashing is hardwired.

[dietcokeandwine]

I've had guineas for years and have never worn gloves to clean them out. I do always wash my hands after touching them or their bedding, and get the DC to do the same, but that's more of a basic hygiene thing than worrying about any pig-specific danger.

[slalomsuki]

I've just cleaned ours out then read this. I've never worn gloves to do it either now or when we have had guinea pigs in the past.

I do wash my hands thoroughly as I am allergic if I touch the hay or the piggies and don't wash immediately afterwards and get the kids to do the same.

[FernieB]

I've never worn gloves to clean mine out, or to clean out the rabbit, or to muck out after sheep and lambs! Nor have I ever bothered about my DC stroking, holding or hugging any animal (including farm animals) and my DC are now healthy teens. I have always been keen on hand washing though.

[WyrdByrd]

No gloves here. I use a small metal dustpan as a scoop when I clean their hutch, then brush for the last bits of dirty bedding.

Always handwash after cleaning/holding them though.