Can rabbits get rabies? – Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Can rabbits get rabies? It might be a question you’ve never pondered before, but it’s an important one to consider given the recent uptick in rabies cases among domestic animals.

In this post, we take a closer look at rabies and what rabbit owners need to know to keep their furry friends safe.

Can rabbits get rabies?

Yes, rabbits can contract rabies. In fact, one out of every five people who contract rabies from a dog bite dies. The virus is carried in the saliva (spit) of an animal with an active infection and is transmitted through a bite or through contact with the saliva of an infected animal.

Rabbits are typically prey animals that hide their illnesses as best they can; therefore, if they have it you probably won’t see any clinical signs until the disease has progressed to where it cannot be treated. Though no official studies have been done on this subject, according to researchers at the University of California

San Francisco School of Medicine, rabbits should be vaccinated against rabies like dogs and cats because documented cases do exist. One documented case tells of a rabies virus isolated from the brain of a white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) in Arizona.

The wild rabbit population should be considered at increased risk for contracting rabies and should be vaccinated if they are to come into contact with other animals – especially dogs and cats. However, not all bunnies exposed to the virus contract it. A healthy immune system is required in order to fight against the invading virus, so if your bunny falls ill with something else it may become compromised enough that it cannot combat the rabies infection.

If you live in an area where there is a high likelihood of exposure, I would advise vaccinating bunnies under 12 weeks of age as well as those who are not healthy or under veterinary care. If you decide to vaccinate your rabbit, discuss the best vaccination schedule and duration of immunity with your veterinarian first.

Rabies Symptoms in Rabbits

Symptoms of rabies in rabbits are often not observed until the disease is too far progressed to be treated. The virus affects the central nervous system (CNS), and clinical signs of infection depend on which part(s) of the CNS are affected. It can take anywhere from 10 days to four months after exposure for clinical signs to appear, but most commonly they will show between three and 12 weeks after infection.

The most common rabies symptoms in rabbits include:

Incoordination or difficulty hopping: The animal may look like it is walking on its hocks instead of holding up the foot with the toes – this is because they cannot coordinate correctly. They can have trouble making turns and generally seem to be going in circles

twitching: The muscles will spasm or twitch uncontrollably, especially around the face and ears

aggression: Your rabbit may suddenly start attacking your other pets and/or you, or become much more aggressive than normal. This is a result of the virus moving from the CNS to the brain

lack of appetite: Needless to say, if an animal does not eat it can quickly become seriously ill – this symptom may be a sign that your rabbit’s immune system is compromised

lethargy: If your bunny is normally very active and lively when you take it out of its cage for exercise, but then starts to act much more subdued this could be a sign that something is wrong

paralysis: Most commonly seen in the hind limbs, your rabbit may have trouble standing or hopping, or the muscles on one side of its body may stop working correctly

difficulty breathing or noisy breathing: This symptom can be caused by paralysis of the diaphragm, so it is especially important to seek veterinary attention if you see your rabbit struggling to breathe.

unusual vocalization (bunny may be silent when it normally makes noise) * pain or numbness in any part of the body

excessive drooling – a sign that saliva glands in the mouth are involved

Rabies is a deadly disease that should be taken very seriously. If you notice any of these symptoms in your bunny, seek veterinary care immediately. Don’t wait. The longer you wait, the more likely it will be too late to help your bunny.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my pet rabbit from contracting rabies?

Prevention is always better than cure. If your rabbit’s immune system is healthy and strong there is not much to worry about.

• Rabbits can contract rabies from an infected animal biting it or if the saliva of an infected animal gets directly into its eyes, nose or mouth. If you suspect your rabbit has been bitten by another animal, even if it doesn’t look like it has been bitten, take it to a veterinarian immediately.
• If you live in an area where there is a high likelihood of exposure, I would advise vaccinating bunnies under 12 weeks of age as well as those who are not healthy or under veterinary care. If you decide to vaccinate your rabbit, discuss the best vaccination schedule and duration of immunity with your veterinarian first.
• Do not touch or feed stray cats and dogs: They might be infected and transmit the disease.
• Do not let your bunny come in contact with wild animals: If you see a dead animal near your house, don’t look too closely at it. Rabbits can contract rabies from an infected animal biting them or if the saliva of an infected animal gets directly into its eyes/nose/mouth.
• Don’t handle dead animals: If you see a dead animal, even if it has been there for some time and is partially decomposed, don’t touch/handle/try to move it.
• Clean your Garbage bin: Rabbits can contract rabies from the carcasses of infected animals. If your rabbit eats something it shouldn’t have, take it to a veterinarian immediately.
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes before seeking medical assistance.

Is there any treatment for rabies in rabbits?

There is no cure for rabies, but there are treatments that can be done to prevent the disease from progressing and ultimately save your bunny. Treatment may involve:

• Administration of equine rabies immune globulin (ERIG) – available through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or local state health department.
• Administration of rabbit specific rabies immune globulin (RIG) – available through the CDC, your veterinarian, or your local state health department.
• Vaccination with the new purified vero cell rabies vaccine – may be done in conjunction with ERIG and RIG.
• Intensive care for breathing difficulties, seizures, fever, and other complications that may arise.

Does rabbit’s bite cause rabies?

Rabbits can certainly transmit rabies to humans. They are sometimes considered to be reservoirs for rabies. Most states in the United States do not require rabbits to be vaccinated against rabies because it is difficult to get an accurate estimate of the number of rabbits in a given area.

A sick rabbit (especially one who bites) should always be examined by a veterinarian, especially if there has been contacting with humans or other pets. It may be necessary to euthanize and test the animal for rabies, which can involve considerable expense.

Therefore, it’s important that people remember that any wild animal (raccoon, skunk, fox) they might come across could potentially have rabies. The best protection from catching rabies from a wild animal is not to touch them.

Rabbits are prey animals, meaning they are usually docile and tend to run away from predators. However, rabbits can become aggressive when they feel threatened or are cornered by a predator. When a rabbit feels that it is in danger of attack, it either freezes (playing dead) or runs away. Some people believe that if a rabbit allows itself to be touched by someone after biting, then the animal must not have been rabid. This is not true because some animals never show visible signs of the rabies virus even though they may carry it. Therefore, any wild animal with possible exposure should be considered for testing for rabies.

Write Up: Can rabbits get rabies

Rabbits can get rabies. It is rare, but it can happen. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nervous system. If a rabbit contracts rabies, it will eventually die. There are no known treatments for rabies in rabbits. If you think your rabbit may have rabies, contact your veterinarian immediately. Treatment options may include euthanasia. It is important to keep your pet rabbits safe from Rabies by vaccinating them regularly and keeping them away from wild animals.

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