Rabbits may seem like the picture of wide-eyed innocence, but these fluffy pets can potentially carry dangerous diseases transmissible to humans. Behind those cute floppy ears and twitchy noses, rabbits could be harboring nasty bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites capable of making both people and animals extremely sick. While the risk is low, especially for well-cared for indoor rabbits, owners must educate themselves about contagious rabbit diseases in order to protect their families. This article will uncover the covert world of rabbit disease transmission – which illnesses hide in rabbits, how they spread, and most crucially, how to stop them in their tracks before they attack you or your furry friends. Read on to learn the secrets of safe rabbit ownership and disease prevention.
Contagious diseases that rabbits can carry and spread
Rabbits can carry and spread several contagious diseases that can infect both humans and other animals. Some of the most common and concerning contagious diseases carried by rabbits include:
Tularemia
Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Tularemia can affect both humans and animals. In humans, symptoms include fever, skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes and pneumonia. Tularemia can be spread through direct contact with an infected animal, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through tick and fly bites.
Wild rabbits, hares and rodents are natural reservoirs for Francisella tularensis. The bacteria can be shed in their urine and feces and contaminate dust and soil. Humans can become infected by inhaling contaminated dust, handling infected animals, being bitten by infected ticks or flies, or eating undercooked meat from infected animals. Tularemia is highly infectious – it takes only 10-50 organisms to cause infection. Without antibiotic treatment, tularemia can have a mortality rate of 5-15% in humans.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals, referred to as salmonellosis. There are many different strains and serotypes of Salmonella. In the United States, it is estimated that 1.2 million cases of salmonellosis occur annually, with about 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths each year.
Rabbits can be asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella, meaning they harbor the bacteria without showing signs of illness. The main route of transmission is through rabbit feces. Humans can become infected through contact with rabbit feces, urine, saliva or nasal discharge. Eating undercooked rabbit meat or food contaminated by infected rabbits are other sources of transmission. Young children are particularly susceptible.
In humans, Salmonella infection causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours after exposure. In some cases, it can lead to severe dehydration and require hospitalization. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection caused by dermatophyte fungi in the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. It causes circular, red, itchy rashes on the skin, and can also affect the scalp, nails and feet. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm.
Ringworm is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and humans. Rabbits can carry ringworm fungi and transmit it through direct contact. The fungi shed spores on the skin and fur which then spread to humans or other animals through touch. Young children are particularly susceptible to developing ringworm infections.
On humans, ringworm causes a characteristic ring-shaped rash with scaling and hair loss. Topical antifungal creams are usually effective for treatment. Ringworm can also spread to other parts of the human body.
E. cuniculi
Encephalitozoon cuniculi, often abbreviated E. cuniculi, is a microscopic parasite that can infect rabbits, other mammals and humans. In rabbits it causes encephalitozoonosis, which can damage the brain, kidneys, liver and eyes. Infected rabbits shed E. cuniculi spores in their urine, which can then be ingested by humans.
In humans E. cuniculi usually only causes mild flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, in immunocompromised people such as HIV/AIDS patients, E. cuniculi can lead to potentially fatal encephalitis or disseminated infections affecting multiple organs.
To prevent transmission, rabbit waste should be handled carefully using gloves and litter boxes cleaned regularly. Produce that may be contaminated by rabbit feces should be thoroughly washed. Immunocompromised individuals should take extra precautions around rabbits.
Rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that infects the central nervous system. It is primarily spread through bites and scratches from infected animals. In the U.S., rabies most often occurs in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. However, domestic animals like dogs and cats can also get rabies if exposed to the virus.
Rabbits are not a natural reservoir for rabies, but they are susceptible to infection through wounds from rabid animals. Cases of rabid domestic rabbits are very rare, but have been reported. Rabid rabbits can exhibit unusual aggression and attack or bite humans or other animals.
If a human is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal like a wild or stray rabbit, immediate medical attention is required. Without treatment, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies can be prevented if post-exposure prophylaxis is administered promptly after an exposure.
Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by the Clostridium tetani bacterium. Spores of C. tetani are ubiquitous in the environment, found in soil, dust and animal feces. The spores can enter the body through puncture wounds, cuts or bites. Once inside, the spores germinate into bacteria that produce the potent neurotoxin tetanospasmin that causes the muscle spasms and stiffness characteristic of tetanus.
Domesticated rabbits that spend time outdoors can potentially carry C. tetani spores on their fur and feet. These spores can be transmitted to humans through bites and scratches. Any puncture wound can also provide entry for C. tetani spores into the body from the environment. Proper wound care and tetanus immunization helps prevent this disease.
Tetanus symptoms appears 3-21 days after infection and include headache, stiffness, and difficulty swallowing. As toxins spread, muscles painful spasms occur throughout the body. Tetanus can lead to breathing difficulty, seizures and death in 10-50% of cases. Rapid treatment with tetanus immunoglobulin and antibiotics is required to halt toxin production.
Snuffles
Snuffles is a contagious upper respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. It is extremely common in domestic rabbits and wild rabbits to some degree. Snuffles is characterized by thick nasal discharge, sneezing, congestion and wheezing or rattling breaths.
Snuffles spreads rapidly between unvaccinated rabbits through respiratory secretions and saliva. Younger rabbits tend to develop more severe snuffles infections. In chronic cases, the infection can permanently damage the sinuses or lungs.
While humans cannot catch snuffles directly from rabbits, contact with infected rabbits can lead to a zoonotic disease called pasteurellosis. Bites or scratches from infected rabbits can transmit Pasteurella multocida bacteria into human skin, leading to painful wound infections. Immunocompromised people are at highest risk. Wearing gloves when handling sick rabbits can help prevent transmission.
Diseases and infections that are contagious to rabbits
In addition to transmitting diseases to humans, pet rabbits can also easily catch contagious illnesses themselves from other rabbits or from their environment. Here are some of the most common contagious diseases that affect domestic rabbits:
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a viral disease that originated in South America and spread to Europe and Australia, where it devastated wild rabbit populations. It affects domestic rabbits to a lesser degree thanks to vaccination. Myxomatosis is spread by blood-sucking insects like fleas and mosquitos.
In unvaccinated rabbits, myxomatosis causes swelling of the mucus membranes around the head and genitals. It can lead to blindness and difficulty eating and breathing. Mortality rates are extremely high in wild rabbits, while treated pet rabbits usually recover with a mortality rate around 50%. Recovery can take several weeks.
Viral hemorrhagic disease
Viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a calicivirus that causes hemorrhagic fever and liver necrosis in rabbits. It is widespread in wild rabbits but rarely affects vaccinated domestic rabbits. VHD spreads through direct contact or exposure to contaminated food, bedding and water.
In unvaccinated domestic rabbits, VHD causes fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, hemorrhages in multiple organs and sudden death in 12-36 hours. The extremely high mortality rate makes vaccination critical for pet rabbits potentially exposed to wild rabbits or their excretions.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs usually caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Common pneumonia pathogens in rabbits include Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Stress, poor ventilation and underlying health issues increase susceptibility.
Pneumonia spreads between rabbits through respiratory secretions. Symptoms include nasal discharge, wheezing, fever and lethargy. Pneumonia can be acute and quickly fatal in rabbits if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Vaccines help prevent bacterial pneumonia.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis or “weepy eye” in rabbits is inflammation of the mucus membranes around the eye. It causes red, swollen, runny eyes with crusty discharge. Conjunctivitis is often caused by bacterial infections like Chlamydia psittaci. It spreads through contact with eye discharge from infected rabbits.
If untreated, conjunctivitis can cause scarring and blindness. Antibiotic eye ointments are used to treat infections. Separating affected rabbits helps control outbreaks. Good hygiene and reducing ammonia levels from urine help prevent recurrence.
Intestinal parasites
Rabbits can pass intestinal parasites like coccidia (Eimeria spp.), tapeworms, roundworms and pinworms to each other through fecal contamination. Parasites shed eggs or infective stages into the environment through rabbit feces. Other rabbits ingest them while grooming or consuming contaminated food or water.
Diarrhea, weight loss, poor growth and lethargy are common symptoms. Parasites are treated with medications called anthelmintics. Prevention involves sanitation, consistent fecal testing and treatment, and quarantine of new rabbits. Fly control also helps break parasite life cycles.
Mange
Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by mites like Sarcoptes scabiei or Cheyletiella parasitovorax. It leads to intense itching, hair loss and crusty skin lesions. Mites spread quickly between rabbits through direct contact. All rabbits in contact should be treated with anti-parasitic medication.
Mange causes extreme distress in rabbits and secondary infections are common. Quarantine of affected rabbits is important. The environment must also be thoroughly disinfected since mites can survive for several weeks without a host.
Diseases contagious between rabbits
Rabbits in close contact with each other are very prone to transmit contagious diseases. Here is an overview of some of the most significant illnesses that can spread rapidly in groups of domestic or wild rabbits:
Pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis refers to infection by the bacteria Pasteurella multocida or Bordetella bronchiseptica. It is extremely widespread in domestic rabbits. Pasteurellosis causes snuffles upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, abscesses, and life-threatening septicemia. Young, unvaccinated rabbits are most at risk.
Pasteurellosis spreads through direct contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated cages or food. Crowded conditions enable rapid transmission between rabbits. Strict sanitation and isolation of infected rabbits is necessary to control outbreaks. Vaccines are available.
Enteritis
Enteritis is inflammation of the intestinal tract usually caused by bacteria like E. coli, Clostridium spp. and Salmonella. It spreads via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food, water and environments. Diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and death can occur in severe cases.
Outbreaks of enteritis can affect groups of rabbits housed closely together. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all materials is required. Antibiotics, probiotics and fluid therapy are used to treat affected rabbits. Vaccines may help reduce shedding of some enteritis bacteria.
Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
Dermatophytosis is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin, hair and nails. Spores spread easily via direct contact between rabbits or contact with contaminated objects. Lesions start as small nodules that enlarge into rings of hair loss and crusty skin.
Ringworm outbreaks rapidly affect groups of rabbits. Oral antifungal treatment and thorough environmental disinfection for at least 3 weeks is required. All exposed rabbits should be treated until cultures are negative. Quarantine prevents introduction of infection.
Dental disease
Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that require daily chewing to prevent overgrowth. Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) and spur teeth have genetic components and can run in certain rabbit breeds and bloodlines. Overgrown teeth impair chewing and cause weight loss.
Dental disease spreads due to genetic predisposition rather than contagion. However, rabbits with misaligned or overgrown teeth often cannot properly groom themselves. This allows skin parasites and dandruff to accumulate, which can spread to other co-housed rabbits through shared living spaces.
Encephalitozoonosis
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an opportunistic parasite that particularly affects rabbits with weakened immunity. It spreads from urine contamination and causes latent infections. Stress can activate the infection, leading to kidney, brain or eye damage. Nested PCR testing detects shedding rabbits.
Prevention focuses on sanitation, stress reduction and probiotics to support immunity. Kittens born to infected does may also be infected. Consider quarantine and testing to exclude E. cuniculi when establishing or expanding a rabbit colony.
How to prevent the spread of diseases from a pet rabbit
Owning healthy pet rabbits involves taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of contagious diseases. Here is an overview of strategies to help keep rabbits and owners safe:
Purchase rabbits from reputable sources
Obtain rabbits from breeders or shelters that test for diseases like syphilis, myxomatosis, VHD and parasites. Avoid pet stores that source rabbits of unknown origin with lax health standards. Inspect any new rabbit carefully and ask for veterinary records. Quarantine new rabbits for 30-45 days.
Sanitation and disinfection
Clean litter boxes, dishes, toys and cages thoroughly every day. Use dilute bleach or other disinfectants safe for rabbits. Follow all cleaning protocols strictly when disease is present. Isolate sick rabbits in separate housing during treatment.
Vaccinations
Vaccinate rabbits appropriately against myxomatosis, VHD, pasteurellosis and rabies. Work with your veterinarian to determine which vaccines your rabbit requires based on risk factors like outdoor housing or exposure to wild rabbits. Update vaccines on schedule.
Parasite prevention and testing
Perform routine fecal tests to check for intestinal parasites. Deworm rabbits whenever parasites are found. Use monthly heartworm and flea/tick prevention medications. Check for external parasites during grooming and treat any found appropriately.
Biosecurity practices
Do not allow contact with unknown rabbits. Change clothing/shoes after handling other people’s rabbits. Do not share grooming supplies between rabbits. Wash hands thoroughly before and after rabbit handling. Set up wire barriers for any outdoor housing to prevent wild rabbit contact.
Stress reduction
Minimize stress through proper handling, a stable routine, enrichment activities and housing compatible rabbits together. Stress weakens the immune system and increases disease susceptibility. Monitor rabbits closely when introducing new housing, pets, people or situations.
Medical care
Establish a relationship with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian. Schedule annual wellness exams to check for illness early. Discuss an emergency care plan for off-hours issues. Follow veterinary instructions for quarantine, testing and treatment. Report any unusual symptoms immediately.
Preventing disease transmission protects the health of rabbits, owners and the larger community. Following sound biosecurity principles and working closely with veterinary experts provides the best protection against contagious diseases that could impact pet rabbits. With proper precautions, rabbits can live safely and healthily alongside human families.