Guinea Pigs
We most commonly see respiratory infections caused by bordetella in Guinea pigs. This is important because it is one of the same major respiratory pathogens in dogs as well. Dogs can spread bordetella to Guinea pigs and vice versa. If you have a Guinea pig that starts sneezing and you also have a dog that goes to doggie daycare, make sure you let your veterinarian know. This might make concern for bordetella higher on our list. Like rabbits, Guinea pigs can also have respiratory signs from dental disease.
Ferrets
We don’t commonly see respiratory illness in ferrets although it can happen. Very importantly, ferrets can catch some respiratory illnesses from their owners like the flu and Covid. If you or someone in your home has either the flu or Covid, we recommend not handling ferrets or cleaning their enclosures if possible. Respiratory signs in ferrets can also be attributed to the canine distemper virus, though they are more often hit with gastrointestinal signs. There is a vaccine for ferrets against the canine distemper virus. It is important that if there are dogs in the home with ferrets, both are given vaccines to prevent distemper virus. Coyotes and foxes can also transmit the canine distemper virus.
Rats
One of the most common reasons rats go to the vet is for respiratory infections. Rats will produce porphyrin, which is a reddish-orange pigment, in their eye and nasal discharge. This often looks like bleeding, which can be quite frightening. The main respiratory infection is mycoplasma, which is near to impossible to clear from the rats themselves. We often recommend treatment when they have significant signs like sneezing, nasal discharge and lethargy. Rats are very prone to developing scar tissue in their lungs from mycoplasma and often even when they are not having an active outbreak, they may wheeze or sneeze. Mycoplasma is very contagious and so we recommend not adding any new rats to the home if the current rats have respiratory illness.
Reptiles
Most respiratory infections in reptiles are not primarily infections but stem from inappropriate husbandry. If they do not have the proper temperature and humidity levels, then often respiratory infections come secondarily. We will see an increase in respiratory cases during seasonal changes as temperature fluctuations are more common. There are also viruses like herpes that can cause respiratory signs, especially in turtles and tortoises. There are many different respiratory pathogens among the reptile species, but we have limited antibiotic options in reptiles. That’s why it is so important to prevent respiratory illness with correct husbandry rather than treating after they are sick.
There are so many differences between respiratory infections in our various pets. Some have similar pathogens; others are completely unique. Across species, symptoms look the same even though they have different causes! Careful monitoring is important no matter what type of animal you own. Stay tuned for next month where we discuss chickens and turkeys.