My husband and I are going to start a family - I know pregnant women should not be around cats, but what about guinea pigs? The vet says it is fine. However, the March of Dimes says you should stay away from all rodents, including guinea pigs as it can be harmful to the unborn baby. Will I be able to clean the cage with gloves and a mask...or do I need to stay away completely?
2006-06-24 01:46:58 · 7 answers · asked by Smiles1 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Guinea Pigs are perfectly safe for you. I am a Vet Tech and I have NEVER heard of a guinea pig being harmful to you while you are pregnant. Cats, however, are a different story. If you are worried, a good rule of thumb is for you not to clean any cages, litterboxes, or pick up animal feces while you are pregnant. That's where the harm comes from.
2006-06-24 01:58:47 · answer #1 · answered by Astro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of anything but cats causes that disease (can't remember the name, toxi something). But why take a chance? I'd take the March of Dimes word over the vets. The vet deals with animals, the March of Dimes with people. Your hubby can handle cleaning the guinea pig cage for a few months. If not, you can do what we do - our guinea pigs are in a cage outside on the grass. They have an opening where they can get in and out and they eat our grass. We hooked it up to an electric fence at first to teach the dogs to stay out. Our cats actually sleep with the guinea pigs. They have a place to hide in it from birds. It's worked great. In the winter we put hay in there. Now, nobody has to change their cage!
2006-06-24 01:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by Mollyismydog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the toxoplasmosis is caused by feline droppings, and I'm sure with your gear you'd be OK. But talk to your OB/GYN, although the Vet's helpful, he may be biased. The reality is, 30 years ago no one knew you shouldn't be around cats. My son is 23 and I had 2 cats. Actually, where is hubby with this? Make him clean the freakin cage, you're carrying around 30-50 pounds of extra person for him, the least e can do is clean the Guinea pig cage!
2006-06-24 01:58:11 · answer #3 · answered by Sidoney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i comprehend pregnant women people shouldn't sparkling a cat muddle container,,,and that i advance into advised i advance into to stay removed from our puppy iguana (salmonella) on an identical time as i advance into pregnant. i might have her communicate to her dr to verify. not sure what a guinea pig might carry.
2016-10-31 09:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by overbay 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So long as the guinea pigs aren't chewing on you and you wash your hands, I can't imagine there being a problem...
2006-06-24 01:50:49 · answer #5 · answered by CumQuaT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's harmful. you don't need to worry. If you keep clean your pigs, I think they won't harm your baby. give me 10 points plz
2006-06-24 01:54:55 · answer #6 · answered by Booggy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gloves and mask would be good enough
2006-06-24 01:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by longhunter17692002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋