Toxoplasmosis?

[Emmjaexo6]

Can baby squirrels be carrying toxoplasmosis? I have 4 8 week old baby squirrels that I’ve had for the past week and a half. They don’t show any signs of illness.

[Javarat]

They can, but it is extremely rare.
You are more likely to run into a human with it than a squirrel.
CDC reports roughly 40 million Americans carry the parasite, but most people are very resistant to it.
Cats are the most frequent source of transmission, mostly from their litter box.
Symptoms are the same as a light flu.

Precautions are the same with a squirrel as a cat... washing hands after handling feces, etc.

[Emmjaexo6]

They can, but it is extremely rare.
You are more likely to run into a human with it than a squirrel.
CDC reports roughly 40 million Americans carry the parasite, but most people are very resistant to it.
Cats are the most frequent source of transmission, mostly from their litter box.
Symptoms are the same as a light flu.

Precautions are the same with a squirrel as a cat... washing hands after handling feces, etc.


Thank you! I’m 16 weeks pregnant but took in 4 baby squirrels as no rehabbers near me would take them. I don’t want to let them die but also don’t want to risk my baby’s health.

[Emmjaexo6]

What about leptospirosis?

[Javarat]

What about leptospirosis?They can, but the only reported cases were in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
It's found in tropical climates.