In recent times, keeping pet rabbits is gradually gaining popularity. Accordingly, the health hazards of raising pet rabbits should arouse our attention. In that case, can pet rabbits make you sick?
Keeping pet bunnies is not entirely risk-free. Sometimes problems arise either due to diseases or allergies. Pet owners spend time and money to care for their rabbits. But they should not ignore the impact of pet rabbits on their health.
As you read on, you will understand the possibility of your pet making you sick and how you can protect yourself, your household, and your pet. We will answer the following questions?
- Can You Get Diseases From Rabbits?
- Can Rabbit Urine Make You Sick?
- Is Rabbit Poop Toxic To Humans?
- Can You Get Sick From A Rabbit Scratch?
Can You Get Diseases From Rabbits?
It is important to realize that it is uncommon for pet rabbits to transmit diseases to humans, particularly healthy adults. So, you don’t have to be unduly concerned that pet rabbits make you sick. Nevertheless, there are diseases or pathogens that rabbits carry which may be transmitted to humans.
In most cases, the possibility of getting diseases from pet rabbits is higher in people with compromised immune systems. For example, people with HIV, those on chemotherapy, and people with a new transplant. Infants, children younger than five years, and the elderly also face a higher risk of being sick from handling rabbits.
These people need to be extra careful with all animals and humans because their immune systems may not be strong enough to protect them from infections that most people would dismiss. Contact between people with weakened immune systems and sick pets is particularly dangerous.
Still, some infection control precautions can lessen the risk, and they can enjoy the companionship of pet rabbits. The safety precautions to take if you have a pet rabbit and you are high-risk include :
- Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning the cage, and Thoroughly wash your hands after. Better still, allow someone else to help in cleaning.
- Keep the rabbit away from food for human USE.
- Reduce the risk of biting by handling the rabbit correctly in a gentle WAY.
- Ensure your rabbit is in good health through proper vet care and management.
- Speak to your doctor about the risks of owning a pet rabbit.
The following diseases or pathogens may sometimes be carried by rabbits and transmitted to humans (also called zoonoses):
1. Cheyletiella (Fur mites)
Fur mites (Cheyletiella parasitivorax) are common to pet rabbits. They can cause mild skin inflammation or mild itchy rash in humans. In most cases, rabbits don’t show signs on time when they have fur mites. However, your vet can check for mites on your rabbit. If you are worried you have been infected, consult your doctor.
2. Pasteurella
This bacteria possibly causes snuffles(a chronic respiratory disease that causes sneezing and nasal discharge in rabbits). It stays in the mouth and nose of rabbits and can be transmitted to humans through wound infection from rabbit bites. This is only in theory because, in reality, rabbit bite wounds hardly become infected at all.
3. Bordetella Bacteria
Sometimes found in healthy rabbits, this family of bacteria mild cough in people with severely weakened immune systems. It is closely related to the bacteria (Bordetella pertussis) responsible for whooping cough in humans.
4. Ringworm
This fungal skin infection causes ring-shaped, raised, itchy skin. Humans can contract it by contact with the skin, fur, or dander of an infected rabbit. Rabbits with this skin condition usually have patches of hair loss and dry, scaly skin that are frequently itchy. Therefore, your doctor might recommend a topical antifungal cream for you. To avoid reinfection, get treatment for your rabbit as well.
5. Rabies
Transmission can occur through the bite of a rabid rabbit. This is a deadly acute viral disease of the nervous system. So far, there is no confirmed or reported case of a rabid rabbit biting humans. However, you can receive preventive treatment(prophylaxis) if you suspect that you have come in contact with a rabid bunny.
6. Tularemia
This bacterial infection is part of this list only because it is a disease of rabbits. The possibility of getting it from your pet rabbit is very low because the disease is found in wild rabbits(cottontail). Most infections in the United States occur as a result of insect bites and handling infected wild rabbits. The symptoms of tularemia in humans are diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, flu-like signs. Although its occurrence is rare, without early treatment, the infection is deadly
7. Fleas
In most cases, outdoor pet rabbits can have fleas when they contact wild rabbits or if you have cats or dogs with flea infestation. Cats and dogs are the most common causes of flea in pet rabbits. Fleas can bite humans, causing skin irritation. On a positive note, you can combat this situation in your household with flea control products.
8. Allergies
Certainly, Rabbits can produce allergens in their skin or urine. Symptoms of allergic reactions are comparable to cat allergies. They include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy skin, and skin rashes. Another form of allergy-related to pet rabbits is reactions to hay which is a predominant part of the rabbit diet.
Can Rabbit Urine Make You Sick?
Ordinarily, rabbit urine should not make a healthy human ill, but there are some situations where possible. So, what are the contents of rabbit urine that might be harmful to humans?
Firstly, rabbit urine contains ammonia regardless of whether the rabbit is healthy or not. The ammonia in rabbit urine is responsible for the offensive odor we usually perceive with the build-up of rabbit urine. With this in mind, what happens when humans inhale large quantities of ammonia? Exposure to large amounts of ammonia can cause burning of the throat, nose, respiratory tract, and light-headedness.
The truth is that you would have been exposed to enormous quantities of rabbit urine before you could get a significant level of ammonia. Unless you abandon hygiene altogether or your immune system is compromised, in reality, the ammonia in your pet’s urine will not make you sick.
Secondly, spores of a parasite known as E. cuniculi can be seen in the urine of infected rabbits. Most times, rabbits with this parasite show no signs. Despite this, the parasite can cause a severe illness of the brain and kidneys. Unfortunately, the parasite can infect humans too. While there is no confirmed case of E. cuniculi infection in humans yet, it is vital to be cautious around rabbit urine.
Is Rabbit Poop Toxic To Humans?
The issue with rabbit poop is not toxicity per see but the parasites that get to humans if poop is not handled correctly.
Salmonella bacteria responsible for diarrhea and intestinal infections in rabbits can be passed to humans through stool contamination of food and water. Cryptosporidiosis is also another bacterium that sometimes exists in rabbit poop. You might accidentally transfer the bacteria to your mouth if you don’t wash your hands after cleaning rabbit poop.
Surprisingly, healthy rabbits can be carriers of salmonella. Hence, endeavor to practice strict hygiene when handling rabbit poop. Likewise, watch out for diarrhea in your pet bunny and treat it promptly.
Can You Get Sick From A Rabbit Scratch?
All rabbits can bite and scratch, especially when they feel threatened, or they have overgrown nails. Even if the wounds they cause are usually minor, the bacteria on rabbits’ skin, feet, and teeth can cause secondary infections.
Consequently, it is always prudent to thoroughly and promptly clean any bites or scratches with soap and water as soon as possible. Then, apply a disinfectant cream or gel and cover with plaster for about 24 hours. In addition, be on the lookout for any redness or inflammation that could indicate infection.
You can reduce the risk of bites and scratches from your pet rabbit by paying attention to the following:
- Ensure that tetanus immunization for you and other members of your household is up to date. Five shots give lifelong protection from low-risk injuries like cuts and scratches.
- Get advice on trimming your pet rabbit’s nails from your veterinarian
- Teach your child how to treat rabbits carefully
Conclusions
You need to observe your pet closely, provide up-to-date vaccinations and regular health checks. As a result, you will find early signs of problems in your cuddly pet and prevent the development of diseases. This will make the possibility of contracting diseases from your pet will be minimal.
Finally, recommendations change as more information becomes available. For now, you don’t need to be unduly concerned that pet rabbits make you sick. Just take the necessary precautions, and you and your bunny will be okay.