Colds and Bunnies

MyBabyBunnies · May 3, 2004

I'm just checking. I heard from someone one timethat bunnies could catch our colds and then they would get snufflesfrom that. Is this true? I've got quite the nasty cold right now anddon't want to harm my babes by going near them, they will just have tobe attention deprived for a week until I'm better if this is the case.If anyone knows it would be a great help if you could inform me.

Laura

Carolyn · May 3, 2004

I was worried about that too, Laura, and I can't recall where I got theinformation from at the moment, but I looked into it and found out thatrabbits can't catch our colds. I'll have to find out more, but it's gotto do with their immune systems somehow being able to not catch what wehave.

I've had some nasty flus and colds along the way and Tucker's never gotten it.

If someone doesn't beat me to it, I'll get you the information on it. It's not at my fingertips now.

-Carolyn

Buck Jones · May 3, 2004

Rabbit Production, eighth edition, long astalwart resource book for rabbit breeders categoricallystates, "There is no such thing as a cold inrabbits. Mucopurulent nasal discharges(pus) that many peopleattribute to colds are almost invariably caused by P. multocidain conjunction with another bacterium called Bordetellabronchisepticum....The condition[of snuffles] is not atransient one, like a cold but one with permanent adverse effects onthe animal." page 203

Buck

pamnock · May 3, 2004

There hasn't been any evidence that rabbits cancontract rhino (cold) viruses from humans. They can contractintestinal virusesfrom humans. It's always goodpractice to wash your hands before handling bunny when you are ill.

Cavies (Guinea Pigs) *can* contract cold viruses from humans.

Pam

MyBabyBunnies · May 3, 2004

Thank you all so much! Was so worried aboutpetting my babes and making them sick. I always try to keep clean handsaround them, you never know what got on your hands and is harmful tothem! Like for example, a floor cleaner solution.

Laura