Pets are beloved members of your family, so you want to do everything possible to keep them healthy. One thing you need to look out for is the presence of rodents. Although mice and rats typically run and hide from cats and dogs, occasionally the larger animals catch and eat the rodents. Mice and rats are notorious for harbouring infectious diseases, and sometimes they can pass sickness to pets that ingest them. Here are three diseases that rodents can pass to your pets and what you can do to protect your furry family members.

1. Hantavirus

You don’t usually have to worry about your pets catching hantavirus from infected rats and droppings because cats and dogs have a remarkable ability to develop antibodies to the disease. The biggest thing to worry about is your pets accidentally transmitting the disease to you because hantavirus is deadly in humans. If you’re lucky enough to survive, you will likely be left with chronic pulmonary problems. It’s best to stay away from ‘presents’ your pet leaves you in the form of dead rats to minimize your risk of becoming infected.

2. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease that is not particularly harmful to rodents, but it can be devastating to dogs and cats. In rats, the disease sometimes affects the kidneys. Increased urination can lead to dehydration and death in extreme cases, but it’s not always the outcome for rodents that contact lepto, as the disease is commonly called by veterinarians. 

However, lepto in cats and dogs is often deadly. The disease causes severe internal damage that is costly to treat. If it is left untreated for too long, you cannot save the pet that is affected. Even if you catch it early, the disease is very expensive to treat and you may not have the budget for it. Because lepto can be transmitted to other pets and humans, it is best to prevent it from entering your home by keeping mice and rats away.

3. Toxoplasmosis

When rodents come in contact with soil or water that has been contaminated with a certain protozoan parasite, they can develop Toxoplasmosis. It’s not a deadly disease, but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms in dogs and cats if they eat infected rodents. Cats often have mild diarrhea and may even be asymptomatic if they have the disease. Dogs have slightly more severe symptoms. Diarrhea is common, but nervous system disorders can also occur in canines that contract toxoplasmosis.

How To Get Rid of Rats In Your Home

Prevention is the best tool for fighting rodents, but if you have mice or rats living in your house, it’s crucial to remove them immediately for the sake of your pets. DIY rodent removal is never recommended because you could accidentally make the problem worse by not getting rid of all of the pests or being exposed to dangerous diseases in the process. When you need help with rodent removal, it is always best to contact a professional.

The expert team at Truly Nolen has plenty of knowledge about rodents. We can answer any question, like “how long do mice live?”  and where they prefer to build nests. We understand their habits and know how to remove them from your home quickly and efficiently. After getting rid of the mice or rats in your home, we’ll point out ways the rodents could have accessed the house so you can make repairs and prevent the problem from reoccurring.

Schedule an Appointment Today

The best way to protect your pets from the harmful diseases carried by rodents is to keep mice and rats out of your home. Truly Nolen has a team of experts ready to remove rodents and give you the advice to keep them from returning, so contact us today to schedule an appointment for pest control in Mississauga.