Snails on Watercress- will buns get sick???

[Dee]

Hi Everyone,

I’m kinda freakin out here.  I bought some watercress for the buns a few days ago (they’ve had it before) and when I went to wash it, I found all these little snails on it! I washed them off, but figured I should look online to see if it was safe before feeding it to the buns. I found out that watercress often has snails on it and that these freshwater snails can carry a parasite that causes liver fluke, a condition that results in liver inflammation in humans. A couple websites said not to eat raw watercress because of contamination from snails. Sooo… I decided not to feed the watercress to my buns. I threw it in a tupperware and put it in the fridge, intending to either boil it, return it or throw it out upon further research.

  Well, tonight I arrive home and what has my husband done??? HE’S GIVEN THE BUNNIES THE WATERCRESS!!! It’s beyond me why he would just grab random green stuff out of the fridge and dump it into the bunnies bowl, but there you have it. How worried should I be? Has anyone heard of rabbits getting sick from liver flukes or other snail-related diseases??

  This kinda bizzare stuff only happens to me… I’m probably being parinoid (nothing new there!) but I’m so afraid of my bunnies getting sick now. Any advice or experiences regarding this?

  Thanks!

[MimzMum]

I once found a dead snail on some organic red leaf lettuce. Since there was so much of the head left and this was found on the outer leaves, I just tossed that part and fed the rest. But I’d never heard of anything like what you’re describing and probably good I didn’t or I’d be freaking out too! 0_o

But my bunnies never got sick from it that I know of, (this was years ago). I washed it thoroughly before giving it to them, figuring bunnies must run into this stuff all the time in the wild, which is probably not a good analogy with the differences between wild and house rabbit.

I don’t know if this will be a problem or not, but I’m sure there are members here who have more experience. I’ll send good vibes for your bunnies to stay healthy though! ((((((((((((((((vibes))))))))))))))))))

[BinkyBunny]

I know snails can carry salmonella, but as far as how risky they are I do not know! I’ve been rchecking on the net for the last 1/2 hour and can’t find much about this. So sorry! I doubt it will be something horrible, but just keep an eye on your bunnies eating and pooping habits over the next couple of days. I do get watercress, and I guess I have been lucky, I haven’t had a snail problem with those— however, i don’t buy it on a regular bases, but I will really check more closely when I am in the produce section.

Posted By Dee on 02/02/2010 07:36 PM

Hi Everyone,

 It’s beyond me why he would just grab random green stuff out of the fridge and dump it into the bunnies bowl, but there you have it. 

This made me laugh for some reason.  Men! (sorry guys on the board)— they try to be helpful and they can still get themselves in trouble! LOL.  When my husband does help with bunnies, I’ve caught him several times just giving the greens without washing them..  His main line is….”Op, forgot”.  

Yeah, right.,..,   just admit it Mr Hubby, that you  don’t think it’s really that  important, to wash the greens, so you’ll just do it how you want, but say you forgot so you don’t have to get stuck in a bickerfest  about what’s on the greens and why it’s better to keep a bunny with bladder stone issues extra- hydrated.   So yeah…notice I’m used to hubby excuses.  But actually, I can’t get too bent about his “dude” ways, or I’ll scare him away from trying to help at all..   

I do understand the snail scare though!!

[Dee]

Hi Mimzmum and BinkyBunny!

Mimzmum, thank you for the healing vibes! They seem to be working, cuz the bunnies are eating and pooing and all the things they normally do. I just caught BunBun peeing against his hay bag, but I’ve found little piddle puddles there before, so I think it’s just a naughty thing that he does. When he noticed me staring at him, he came running over and started begging for treats. He seems to think he did a special trick, like when he walks on his hind legs- lol. I’m not so impressed.

BinkyBunny, I really appreciate you searching the web about this . I think the fact that neither of us could find anything, plus that nobody here has had anything happen with watercress/snails before, means it’s all good. Just me losin it over nothing as usual. Lmao- so ur hubby does the “forgetting” to wash the greens too! Thing is, Rick (my husband) will neglect to wash his OWN fruits n veggies too- so obviously it’s not him thinking that animaLs don’t need their food washed, it’s a matter of complete LACK OF VEGETABLE HYGIENE. So upsetting.

Yhup, you do have a point there about not making too big a thing every time the guys mess up the buns care, cuz men do give up easily when they’re picked on. I think that’s what happened to Rick with the housework… but that’s another subject altogether.

Imagine poor Rick’s anxiety when he checked on the buns this morning… knowing if anything was a bit off with one of them, he would have the wrath of ME upon him.. hehehe.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

How odd!! Glad they are still doing ok. I am wondering if one would have to eat the snails to get liver fluke?

I’d just watch that they are doign well and perhaps watch for signs of liver fluke I’d imagine.

http://www.unbc.ca/nlui/wildlife_diseases_bc/liver_flukes.htm

Animals infected with the adult fluke may be healthy or be in poor condition, appearing drowsy, depressed, with poor appetite

You could also give the vet a call for a fecal test

Infection can be verified through examination of the liver for adult flukes or on the basis of finding eggs in fecal material

Here are some {{It’s nothing to worry about}} Vibes I’m sure it’s nothing

[RabbitPam]

One good thing is that you washed it off first before you put it in the fridge, so it was not as risky when your hubby grabbed some.
I think a phone call to the vet to see if your vet knows more about it would be helpful.

[MimzMum]

lol…Hell hath no fury like a woman whose bunnies have been given unwashed greens… ^_^
Good to see that so far they seem unaffected. Yes, I love how you can’t tell a man off about what he goofs up, but they can get on our case at least once a month (if not more) for being ‘oversensitive’. *shakes head*

[MirBear]

hehe im glad im not old enough to be married.., but my little sister doesnt think greens should be washed… actually she is to lazy to even give the bunnies greens../ im sooo glad that i started looking after the bunnies once shes gone to bed

[Monkeybun]

Being married isnt THAT bad.. lol. Although I tell my hubby he’s a meanie butt at least 4 times a day. He makes up for it tho… soemtimes. I AM allowed sockbunnies now Which reminds me… tomorrow is our 1st anniversary. I better order another sockbunny to celebrate

[MirBear]

yay monkey!! i was joking, i cant wait to find the right guy and get married

[Author]

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