Noting that story is from Colorado (where we lived for many years) I'll just point out:
Most of Colorado is neck-deep in Prairie Dogs, the ground rats both carry every pest bug/disease in the book and regularly have mass die-offs from Plague/everything you can imagine.
I would recommend 1) You consider changing vets (maybe some local old-timer would be good), 2) Vaccinate/protect your guys as recommended by that vet at a minimum and 3) Pay very close attention to reports of wildlife activity in your area for possible additions to those protections.
BTW, those reports should probably best originate from the rural newsletters or even rumors in your area. The Big Time (especially Denver/Boulder) media is.....well, worthless. (I didn't even trust their weather reports.)
Thank you for the good suggestions.
Yeah, my current vets are young and female. No Dr. Pol, that’s for sure. And they always want me to buy stuff I can get on Amazon or Chewy. I’m looking for another vet.
I had no idea Prairie Dogs were disease ridden vermin! I guess I’ll let the ones I’ve captured go (TEASING, TEASING ABOUT THAT PART!)
I don’t know where to get my news, I’m not on FB. I could buy the local rag. I thought it was on line, but then it only let me read 3 articles. Grrr.
Petey