bunny-germs-humans?

[DayJRuggir]

I have a question regarding any germs that rabbits might carry. I have two holland lops and they are the joys of my life! Recently it was asked to me by a friend if rabbits carry any germs that could harm a human. My friends mother is on dialysis and we wanted to be sure that no germs were being carried back to her mother. Does anyone have any insight on whether or not she could potentially bring something harmful home to her mother?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[Barbie]

I’m not a vet or doctor… but I would say most likely no.

There are a couple diseases discussed in the article I linked to below: monkeypox and tularemia. However, the monkeypox was actually just a scare and “during this outbreak NO rabbit was EVER infected with monkeypox. […] HRS reminds the public that rabbits pose no risk of transmitting monkeypox to humans or to other species.” As for the tularemia, “Pet and domestic rabbits do not carry tularemia and therefore cannot infecta person with this disease. They pose no risk of tularemia infection to humans or to other animals, and fears concerning pet rabbits and tularemia are unfounded.”

So unless you have a wild bunny you don’t have to worry about tularemia. I’d just make sure your friend washes her hands thoroughly before going home. Changing clothes and putting the ones she wore to your house in the wash right away would also be good. Like fecal matter from any animal, there will be bacteria in your rabbit’s poop, but unless she was playing in it, she probably won’t have picked up anything. If your rabbit is sick, there might be more cause for concern; however, I volunteer at the shelter, and often spend hours cleaning sick cat cages. I’ve never caught anything – I use a scoop and make sure not to touch the soiled litter, and I wash my hands before I leave and then shower and wash my clothes right when I get home. Leroy (my rabbit) has never been affected either. Granted, I’m talking about sick cats and I’m completely healthy, so it’s probably a bit different, but still. Hope that helps!

http://www.rabbit.org/health/exotic-diseases.html

Oh also, I’ve never caught anything from Leroy and he’s never caught anything from me.  Then again, since I’ve had him, we’ve both been healthy.

[mrmac]

I do not believe so, besides things like parasites/fleas/mites.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I would say no-However I believe things like coccidia etc. can affect humans-esp. people with decreased immun function.

Sooo if you really want to be on high alert-there is a product called VIRCON that you can buy at the vets office, it’s relatively cheap (17$ for a bottle of fifty pills) that you add to water and can spray on clothing, hard surfaces, shoes everything; It’s better then bleach and fabric safe-it’s works on parasites, baceteria and viruses.

So you could purchase something and spray down everything leaving the buns that goes to your moms house (ie. shoes clothes) and wash your hands you should be good!

[jerseygirl]

This link will give some terms that you may want to look into further.  At first glance the list may seem a bit scary but I don’t think cases are all that common and some are more related to wild rabbits too.  Again, you might want to research about the specifics.  http://www.medirabbit.com/Zoonotic/Zoonotic_main.htm  There may also be a thread in FAQ’s on this. 

As K&K said, for the immune compromised some of these things might be an issue.  If your friends mother’s doctor has given direction regarding other domestic pets – perhaps follow the same for rabbits and take precautions to be on the safe side.  I would think it would only be a matter of basic hygiene and a change of clothes for your friend after having been around the animals.

[BinkyBunny]

Barbi is right that many times what you read when it comes to rabbit to human illness has to do with wild rabbits.

I know that for people who are dealing with chemo and have a VERY weak immune system due to that, can get e.cuniculi from a rabbit that is infected with it. I did meet one woman at a HRS rabbit event who had chemo before, and she also told me she had to have her family care for her bunny, who had e.cuniculi, while she was on chemo and until her immune system recovered. I don’t know much about dialysis and if or how it affects the immune system. It might be something that the girl needs to ask her mother’s doctor about.

[Beka27]

We’re not vets (or human doctors), so I would definitely direct these questions to the doctor in charge of her care. Even if he does not know, he should be able to find out, that is why he is the doctor ;o) I’d want to say that there is a very, very minimal risk, with proper hygiene and attention… but please don’t take our word for it.

[RabbitPam]

I ditto Beka’s advice, and have one other thought to add. While I can’t answer about rabbits carrying germs, it is sadly too common that humans carry germs. You may put her mother as much at risk if you handle someone’s child with a cold or have been in a large crowd in a public place. I would be extra careful to wash, change and even carry anti=bacterial wipes if you know you are going to visit and shake hands or touch things she touches. Just a little extra cleanliness can be very considerate.

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