We can’t prevent bacteria from being, but we can limit the harm done. Poor breeding practices and facilities contribute to greater risk. Clean bedding and ample space (the more overcrowded, the more likely they are to attack cagemates) alone would reduce such risk to them, to other animals, and to us!

Murine Respiratory Mycoplasmosis:
     Rat and mouse is natural host.
     Can affect hamsters, guinea pigs.
     Transmission airborne.

Pseudotuberculosis:
     Rat and mouse is natural host.
     Can affect hamsters, guinea pigs.
     Transmission fecal-oral.

CAR bacillus:
     Rat, mouse, rabbit is natural host.
     Transmission direct contact

Tyzzer’s Disease - Clostridium piliforme:
     Japanese waltzing mice is natural host.
     Can affect numerous rodent species, rabbits, carnivores, horses, monkeys, and humans.
     Transmission fecal-oral (spores).

Staphylococcosis:
     Rodent (all) is natural host.
     Transmission dirty bedding.

Streptobacillus moniliformis (rat bite fever):
     Wild rat is natural host.
     Can affect rats, mice, cats, humans.
     Transmission bite wounds, scratches, aerosol exposure.

Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae:
     Wild rat is natural host.
     Can affect rats, humans.
     Transmission skin wounds, contact, dirty bedding.