Chins and Rabbits

[Linda]

Originally Posted by Bostongirl'sChin75

Thanks! Two of my sons have hamsters and they were asking me why they could not be in the same room! I can tell them why now...and it helped me make a decision about my other sons birthday present too..

I'm not aware of any cases of Pasteurellosis in hamsters. I looked in Wikipedia (which isn't always correct), and it claims rabbits and chins can get it but doesn't list hamsters. I've certainly never heard of it in hamsters, and I've heard of a lot diseases hamsters can and do get.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurellosis

Does anyone have any examples when this was transferred to hamsters? If not, I don't see this as a reason not to keep hamsters and chins in the same room (and even keeping them in different rooms if quarantine isn't complete could cause a transfer).

Now there are plenty of things that can transfer between species. The ringworm in the Arlington chins could transfer. Various parasites like giardia are common in chins and hamsters (especially commercially bred hamsters). But I wouldn't use Pasteurellosis as a reason not to keep chins near hamsters.

Linda Price, President
California Hamster Association

[MelodyR]

I have my chins, hamsters, mice, and rats all in the same (large) room and have never had a problem. They are in the same room because they are all nocturnals. They have no direct contact with each other. I do run an Oreck air purifier 24/7, and also have a clean-effects purifier added to my central air. I am scrupulously clean and wash my hands and change clothes when handling different species. No dishes or bottles are shared. I have never had a problem, and never really thought about it. I have guinea pigs (diurnal) in another room. No rabbits, though, I knew they carried something.