Foster rabbit with snuffles – will my own bunny get sick, too?

[Chii]

Hi,

I am currently fostering a 5 week old orphaned english spot rabbit. He has snuffles and since today he is on medication. Foster bunny has never been in a direct contact with my own bunny, Muffin.

Muffin is healthy adult, but they both live in a same room (I live in a studio apartment). Does this mean my bunny will get sick, too? Now I wash hands before and after handling the sick bunny and they don’t share toys or something. Foster bunny lives in a warm cage on the shelf and Muffin roams free, but can’t access the cage directly.

Should I be worried about health of my bunny? Should I do something to prevent infection or is it too late?

Thank you in advance!

[Bunnymummy91]

I think it all depends on their immune system, kind of like humans. I have one bunny who just finished his meds for snuffles and a second rabbit who has been in constant contact with him and is absolutely fine. Keep them seperate until he is better just in case, but get him checked out if he starts showing any signs!

[Chii]

Bunnymummy91, thank you for your reply!
Should I stress clothing change, etc. after handling sick rabbit? Or just washing hands and not allowing the direct contact will do?

[Bunnymummy91]

I think just avoiding direct contact would be fine. Obviously no sharing water bottles, food bowls or toys. And definitely keep washing your hands between handling. How long has he had snuffles symptoms for? Our vet said that it may take up to two weeks for symptoms to develop, so keep them seperate for another two weeks AFTER the poorly one has finished his meds, just in case there are any germs left!

[MoxieMeadows]

If by snuffles, you mean Pasteurella is depends. I guess Around 80% of rabbits test positive by Pastuerella now, but not all are “sick” from it if that makes sense. They have it in their system but they are “immune” to it. Pasteurella is highly contagious though, and can be spread by the handler’s(you) clothing/skin or by sneeze particles floating through the air or sharing toys ect.. It’s kinda a roll of the dice on what could happen! Each rabbit is unique, and it’s very hard to tell how it is going to react with the bacteria present.
The bunny you are fostering could have either been in contact with a sick bun, or his mother could have had Pastuerella. A mother rabbit (even if not sick from it) can and will most likely pass the infection onto her kits. And being on 5 weeks old, the stress from moving, being away from mom at such a young age ect. could have been enough to make him be actually sick from it.

Here is an interesting/informational article about Pastuerella- http://www.celebratingrabbits.com/stories/pasteurella.html
My rabbit has been sneezing and we’ve tested her for Pastuerella, but we still aren’t 100% sure that is what is making her sneeze.

Good luck, and I hope I helped a little bit!

[Chii]

Bunnymummy91,
MoxieMeadows,

Thank you for your answers and information! Little bunny is now at vet because I couldn’t give him injection – my hands were shaking so bad so I just couldn’t do it! He will stay in shelter clinic for now and after the meds vet will decide whether bunny should be fostered again.
Muffin is alright – flopping, pooping and binky as usual, but I am paranoid and carefully listen for sneezing and am checking his nose anyway I just love him too much.

[Bunnymummy91]

Oh bless him! Hopefully the foster one finds a lovely home and I’m glad Muffin seems okay so far!

[MoxieMeadows]

Hopefully the baby bun you were fostering finds a nice permanent home, and Muffin continues to be okay!

[Chii]

Bunnymummy9,
MoxieMeadows,

thank you both for kind words! I am sure baby bunny will find a nice home and I don’t mind fostering him until a really good family shows up. Muffin is sending kisses

[Author]

Messages