Virus Testing?

Virus testing is a complex subject, and only after months of researching this do I feel comfortable writing this to inform you. The common viruses that are tested for are RBF, Hanta, SDav, and Seoul. These are zoonotic viruses that can be transferred from your rat to you. But these viruses are rare in domestic fancy rats, you're far more likely to contract a disease from direct contact with a wild animal.- especially the feces or urine. The biggest scare is Rat Bite Fever, but the transmission of the disease again usually comes from wild rats or those who are not practicing safe animal handling and cleanup. Those who are especially at risk are those who are under the age of 5 or those over the age of 65, typically known as immune-compromised. Those who are immune compromised are usually told to not have pets or to take extra precautions, with dogs, cats, hamsters, rats, etc. If you are more susceptible, your doctor should've informed you of this. RBF mortality rates are low and are hard to tie directly as being around rats as the sole cause. If ever bitten or scratched by any animal, one should always clean the wound immediately to prevent infection. Or seek medical attention in the case of a bite. Owning animals comes with risks.

Why we specifically don't test

It is impractical for us to be constantly testing our animals for diseases you can contract by going outside, petting or being licked by a dog, being scratched by a cat, etc. If we were to test for viruses our animals would never be allowed to be handled by anyone other than ourselves, the rat room would have to be completely sterile 24/7, we would have to put on sterile clothing every time we touch the rats, and then put the clothing in a completely separate air space. And the airflow would have to be controlled 24/7 as these viruses (hanta for ex.) are airborne. Any breach of these protocols would mean the stock would have to be re-tested. Nevertheless, if we tested the rats, that does NOT guarantee your rats once in YOUR care would be free from the disease, if your household wasn't a sterile environment 24/7 your rats could get a virus, and someone walking into your house could bring viruses to your rats. 

Sounds scary, right? 

Viruses in rats and the heavy emphasis that's placed on testing by some breeders is impractical. I can fully support those who virus test, that's their program, not mine. Virus testing is irrelevant to my program. 

If there was a way for all animals to be free of any zoonotic viruses, that would be great. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Again, owning animals comes with risks because they're animals. If you can practice good hygiene, proper cleaning of rats, washing your hands, and treating any possible wounds, you should be fine. 

Virus testing with rats is very new, and pet rats have been around for a lot longer than virus testing has been, people still owned rats, and people still enjoyed their rats. Of course, there are cases where people have died from exposure to rats, but these numbers are still very few. Rats being able to have viruses shouldn't deter you from thinking they're unsafe, dogs in America kill more people every year than domestic rats do, yet dogs are the most popular pet. This concludes the original statement of owning animals comes with risks. Know your health condition. Know the risks. Take precautions. Always wash your hands. And always treat wounds. If you can do these things you will be fine owning animals. 

 

SOURCES: These are sources I have referenced, they will continue to update.

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hantavirus/fact_sheet.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/transmission.html#:~:text=The%20virus%20is%20mainly%20transmitted,known%20as%20%E2%80%9Cairborne%20transmission%E2%80%9C.

https://www.cdc.gov/rat-bite-fever/prevention/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5351a2.htm

​