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Post by gerbillover9612 on Aug 24, 2014 2:44:05 GMT -8
So atm i have a cold (blocked nose and cough) and i wondered if the gerbils could catch it? Ive read that they can get the same type of things? if so, how to i prevent them from getting it? If they do catch it, what are the signs and do they need treatment or will it just go like our colds do? and whats the risk of them getting it?  at the moment to change their food i am washing my hands (as usual) and wearing gloves and i try my hardest not to cough near them but i am coughing like every minute -.- they are in my room, is that a problem? thankyou xx |
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Post by rennmaus on Aug 24, 2014 4:20:05 GMT -8
I found myself in the same situation a couple of weeks ago. I read conflicting information - some sources say gerbils can, others that they can't catch a human cold. Not sure what to believe. I ended up not handling them during the first few days after I developed symptoms. I just topped up their food and water, after washing my hands thoroughly first. On this occasion, my gerbils didn't catch my cold (or at least I didn't notice). I did however observe that they didn't like the sound of my cough, which is understandable  They flattened their ears to their little heads whenever it got too loud. |
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Aug 24, 2014 4:52:59 GMT -8
I found myself in the same situation a couple of weeks ago. I read conflicting information - some sources say gerbils can, others that they can't catch a human cold. Not sure what to believe. I ended up not handling them during the first few days after I developed symptoms. I just topped up their food and water, after washing my hands thoroughly first. On this occasion, my gerbils didn't catch my cold (or at least I didn't notice). I did however observe that they didn't like the sound of my cough, which is understandable They flattened their ears to their little heads whenever it got too loud. Ah its not a good situation i love holding the little rascals. Yeah i think i shall just do that then Good to know that they were fine, hope you recovered well too Aw bless them, must be pretty lound for their little ears. thankyou for your reply xx |
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Post by ljoly on Aug 27, 2014 18:26:14 GMT -8
I think it depends on the virus. The norovirus (norwalk flu) was going around my workplace, and even though I didn't get sick I was worried I could be a carrier and give it to my gerbils. I happened to be taking them to a vet for another reason, but mentioned this issue to him. He looked it up on a medical site and said it couldn't be spread to gerbils. So I think it depends on the particular virus, bacteri, fungi, etc.
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Aug 28, 2014 11:37:56 GMT -8
Ah yes we had the norovirus here for a while. Ah okay well its just a non productive cough and blocked nose so not sure what kind of virus that is? its going now though but thats for your help xxx |
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at the moment to change their food i am washing my hands (as usual) and wearing gloves and i try my hardest not to cough near them but i am coughing like every minute -.- they are in my room, is that a problem? thankyou xx
They flattened their ears to their little heads whenever it got too loud.