Diseases We Share With Rabbits

[Susie570]

I'm sure there are many threads regarding zoonotic diseases, but I'm just curious how many diseases there actually are that can be passed between rabbits and humans?

I know that 'common cold' and viruses are generally not transferable, but SOME of them are.

Herpes Simplex, for example, can be passed between rabbit and human.

Rabbits can carry toxoplasmosis and intestinal parasites that humans can contract, but the transmission is rare due to the nature of rabbit poop.

Rabbits can pass Yersiniosis or pseudotuberculosis, although it is said to be uncommon.

Pasteurella and Bordatella can be transferred, but the danger is only present in immuno-compromised individuals.

Others?

 

[alforddm]

Tularemia is the big one. However, it is very rare in domestic rabbits.

 

[Dood]

Tularemia is a very serious disease you can catch from infected rabbits.

Ectoparadites like fleas, ticks and some mites can also start dinning on people .

-- Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:55 am --

Alforddm beat me to it <br /><br /> -- Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:58 am -- <br /><br /> Thought of another - ringworm, which is actually a fungus

 

[Susie570]

That's all very interesting and informative because I've seen MANY threads on other sites, where people essentially say that there are NO diseases transferable between humans and rabbits. I suspected otherwise and started doing a little research. I think this is really important information that every rabbit owner should have. I mean, not to panic any new owners or anything, but the potential IS there and folks should know what to watch for, ya know?

 

[Zass]

E-coli. Kits with weak immune systems can get it from us contact with US.

 

[alforddm]

I'm not really sure how important it is to discuss Tularemia with new breeders. On average there are only around 140 cases reported in the US every year and almost (maybe all) of them were from contact with wild rabbits not domestics. So, while it is defiantly a deadly disease if an individual where to catch it, the probability of catching it is extremely low. I look at it more as a curiosity than anything else.

Now, the ones the others mentioned should be a real concern.

 

[Zass]

None of them are a real concern to most people. I don't personally know of anyone who's ever actually caught anything from a rabbit.

Except one person, who claims to have become sick after eating a wild one.

 

[Susie570]

I think it's really rare, but it's still good to just be aware of these things

 

[alforddm]

Lol, I think we can all agree your chances of becoming sick from eating (or coming in contact with) a rabbit is much lower than the chance of becoming sick from eating a store bought chicken...

 

[Susie570]

Lol, I think we can all agree your chances of becoming sick from eating (or coming in contact with) a rabbit is much lower than the chance of becoming sick from eating a store bought chicken...

You got that right!!

 

[akane]

I think ringworm is about the only thing pet owners should need to worry about. It's quite common in animals from those that would be called millbreeders or many petstores. Not unknown in wild rabbits either. I have never heard of anyone getting anything else from a rabbit except mention of it being possible for hunters to get something from wild rabbits they kill. From any good breeder zoonotic illnesses should not be an issue.

 

[Zass]

We can pick up ringworm from dogs and cats as well. It's a good thing it's easy to treat.

 

[Susie570]

From any good breeder zoonotic illnesses should not be an issue.

True, but I'm sure there are plenty of 'rabbit mills' out there producing baby rabbits for pet stores and such. I was lucky that we got a lovely, friendly, healthy buck from the pet store but it's not something I would normally do.

Also, important to remember the few things WE can pass along to THEM

 

[dangerbunny]

One thing to consider is rabbits tend not to get sick like some other mammals, if a rabbit gets ill it often won't recover. The rabbits evolutionary strategy is to make lots of babies and be adaptable.

 

[Susie570]

Considering the evolutionary process with rabbits, it would seem they are (or should be) gradually becoming more immune to the various things they can catch. However, I know for instance that Herpes Simplex is very common to humans, but in my understanding is fatal to rabbits. :/ Enteritis would be another thing that humans might frequently have without much thought, but could very quickly dehydrate and kill a rabbit.

 

[ilovehome]

Our state is ranked 2nd or 3rd in the US for human Tularemia cases, and although it is likely transferred most often by ticks here, I can not bring myself to allow my rabbits to play in my yard...where lots of wild rabbits also play regularly.