Hi.
I have a guinea pig and a rabbit (in same cage but will be getting them both neutered and separated asap) that have been together from a very young age, but that's not the issue.
I live in a student houseshare and after seeing my rabbit, one of the people I live with went out and decided, on a whim, to get some of her own. She got two beautiful female rabbits from P@H.
This was about 2 months ago, since she got them they have had problems, one keeps sneezing, literally like 5-10 minutes non-stop sneezing and the other has a swollen stomach. She is taking them to the vets finally tomorrow.
I'm not even going to do into how she 'cares' for her rabbits because it upsets me so much and I don't know what to do about it.

Anyway. My boys are upstairs in my room which they have access to the whole room (furbaby proofed) during the day and are in their cage at night. Her girls are downstairs in the living room. I am often in the living room and would love to have my boys down for a cuddle but I am worried that if one of her girls has a RTI that it might spread to my boys. I am also really worried (because I always have to clean up her girls poop all over the floor because she's so lazy) that I havn't washed my hands enough.

Can someone please tell me how RTI's are spread and if it would be safe to have my boys in the same room as them ? (obv not with them as they are ALWAYS in their small cage).

__________________
=

er if you had a cold how would you pass it on now think wopnt you before you answer

Split your guinea pig and rabbit NOW as that is a problem, rabbits carry bordatella which causes no problems with the rabbit it is fatal for guinea pigs when their immune system is compromised and as you have a potential infection in the house (your housemates rabbit could have teeth problems, pasturella, active bordatella, URI and the list goes on all spreadable) your guinea pig is at great risk of developing pneumonia which could kill.

Sorry to scare you but it is the facts

In the mean time make sure your guinea pig and rabbit are in separate rooms to your housemates rabbits.
Make sure no one but you cares for them, and make sure you don't touch the potential sick buns.
Before you do anything to yours make sure you thoroughly wash your hands to stop the risk of cross contamination.

__________________

Yea sorry hun but as the others have said, colds and things are passed on in furries the same way they're passed on in people, so you have to be really careful when your with them so as not to pass anything on.

Your guinea pig and rabbit really should be split as soon as possible as they could cause serious health issues to each other.

I'm a little confused as to why you're getting them neutered. Neutering in small furries (especially the guinea pig) can be a big risk even if their 100% healthy. Are you planning on putting them with females? I can understand trying to bond a male and female bunny but why the guinea pig? Bonding guinea pig males can work really well and it takes away the risk of the neutering.

Clearly you're worried about your animals but as long as you're careful then you shouldn't pass on any infections.

__________________
Adopted by:

Ginge - Abby guinea piggy
Bubbles - English crested piggy
Mackenzie - English crested piggy
Skit - Standard (but cute) piggy
Max - Ragdoll x cat
The Rainbow Fish
Rest in peace my lovely furfamily that are no longer with us.

I can only echo what Bernie has said.

As for neutering Definately get the rabbit done, its a low risk routine op with rabbit savvy vets now. I can't comment on guinea pigs though as I've never had them but I've not known of males being neutered routinely as they can be happily paired with another male.

__________________

With a good vet neutering guinea pigs is fairly low risk too

__________________

Ah ok, I know it can be done but was always led to believe it was more risky than rabbits so doesn't tend to be done very often. I know when working as a vet nurse I only saw the odd one or two guineas being castrated but then I was working with a terrible vet at the time. Learn something new everyday.

__________________

I am currently studying a BSc in Microbiology. Thank you very much for you rude answer. I was unsure if it is a virus or bacterium and I'll have you know that different virus' and bacterium have different ways of spreading.
It was run and uncalled for when all I wanted was some advice.

__________________
=