FriskyClover
Warren Veteran
I was reading my Daily Telegraph this morning and I always read the pet advice column. They have just got a new vet and this was the advice he gave:
"Q: Is it dangerous to allow rabbits to mix with guinea pigs? I read somewhere that they can give each other a disease, but I know some people who say this isn't true. I used to have three guinea pigs, but over the years two have died and I only have one, called Took, left.
I also have a friendly big rabbit called Snuggles. It seems a shame to have two animals in small runs in the garden and I would like to put them together in one bigger run. What do you think?
A: In theory, guinea pigs can carry the bacterium Pasteurella, which can cause illness in rabbits. For this reason, to be ultra-careful, the two species should not be mixed. On the other hand, both species are social creatures who love company and there are benefits to be gained from giving pets a healthy social life.
As long as you are aware of the small risk of a problem, and as long as Took is in excellent health himself, go ahead and try introducing them to each other.
I know many guinea pigs and rabbits who have become inseparable companions and I have only rarely seen disease complications as a result."
I was really surprised, even P@H now house guinea pigs and rabbits separately. Maybe I'm just being a bit OTT.
They used to have Celia Haddon doing the column and she was excellent and I think really raised the profile of rabbits as complicated but intelligent pets, that deserve better.
"Q: Is it dangerous to allow rabbits to mix with guinea pigs? I read somewhere that they can give each other a disease, but I know some people who say this isn't true. I used to have three guinea pigs, but over the years two have died and I only have one, called Took, left.
I also have a friendly big rabbit called Snuggles. It seems a shame to have two animals in small runs in the garden and I would like to put them together in one bigger run. What do you think?
A: In theory, guinea pigs can carry the bacterium Pasteurella, which can cause illness in rabbits. For this reason, to be ultra-careful, the two species should not be mixed. On the other hand, both species are social creatures who love company and there are benefits to be gained from giving pets a healthy social life.
As long as you are aware of the small risk of a problem, and as long as Took is in excellent health himself, go ahead and try introducing them to each other.
I know many guinea pigs and rabbits who have become inseparable companions and I have only rarely seen disease complications as a result."
I was really surprised, even P@H now house guinea pigs and rabbits separately. Maybe I'm just being a bit OTT.
They used to have Celia Haddon doing the column and she was excellent and I think really raised the profile of rabbits as complicated but intelligent pets, that deserve better.
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