Pasteurella

[Bunnylova4eva]

Anyway, I'm jsut wondering, if a rabbit has been exposed at one point in its life, could it later when its older get it? I think I'm going to be taking my newish buny Charlie back to the breeder fora 'bunny swap' since she was sick when I got her. I'm just worried that if the one I'm getting has been exposed, that though it doesn't have symptoms now, in a few years it could get it.

Anyone know about this?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[hillrise]

Pasturella is caused by bacteria, so yes, a rabbit can get it again (just like pneumonia). The only diseases things can be exposed to after having had it are viral (ie chicken pox...can't come up with a rabbit disease off the top of my head).

As far as showing up with symptoms later, pasturella is a disease that crops up right after exposure. There's no dormant phases that would cause them to suddenly show symptoms after having been exposed months ago. (Again, I think it's generally viruses which have dormant phases).

 

[naturestee]

Realistically, almost all rabbits have been exposed to pasteurella at some point in their lives. It is a common bacteria that can cause infections of eyes, respiratory system, ears, and in abscesses. The difference is how bad that particular strain is, the particular rabbit's immune system, and how the infection was treated. Also keep in mind that an otherwise healthy animal can develop an illness when it becomes stressed, as in moving to a new home (such as if the bun was healthy at the breeder's but became ill soon after moving to your home) or if it develops an unrelated health problem later in life (such as molar spurs leading to a dental abscess).

Do try to quarantine new animals from your others, in case they do end up having an illness when they come. Some breeders also quarantine their show rabbits when they come back from a show, in case they picked something up.

 

[naturestee]

hillrise wrote:

As far as showing up with symptoms later, pasturella is a disease that crops up right after exposure. There's no dormant phases that would cause them to suddenly show symptoms after having been exposed months ago. (Again, I think it's generally viruses which have dormant phases).

This isn't quite true. Although a virulent bacterial infection will show itself quickly, such as MRSA in humans or a particularly bad strain of pasteurella, living bodies are covered with various strains of bacteria from head to toe and throughout the digestive tract. Some of these cause infections when they are given an opportunity- such as through a wound or if the immune system is stressed or depleted.

For example, one of my rabbits had a clogged tear duct which allowed the bacteria in his eye to overgrow and cause an active infection. It's not that he was exposed to a new bacteria, it's that the bacteria was already there and his natural defenses were down.

Here are two great articles:
http://celebratingrabbits.com/stories/pasteurella.html
http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/past.shtml

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

so would you not recomend getting another bunny from her even if it looks healthy, just in case it could have pasteurella, or would it not make a huge difference since most bunnies have been exposed at some point?

 

[MiniLopHop]

I have four rabbits that all "mingle" but are in two pairs. One is currently being treated for a Pastuerella infection in her eyes. While I'm not letting the kids mingle during her treatment, I'm also not taking her away from her husbunny either. None of the other three show any symptoms eventhough they were all exposed. She is doing well recovering with antibiotics.

Just my experience.

 

[naturestee]

Since many rabbits have already been exposed anyway, getting another rabbit from her would be just fine as long as she doesn't have a number of rabbits that are sick right now. If she does, then there is probably a stronger, more infectious version of pasteurella going around.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Can a person catch Pasteurella from taking care of a sick bunny?

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

nope! at least not that I know of.. ;P

 

[MiniLopHop]

That's good. I was just curious since last night Becky sneezed right as I yawned. Bunny boogars in my mouth! yuck!

At least she is looking much better, so the antibiotics are helping

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

Just want to make it clear that if its Pasteurella, it is not curable! Yes you can treat it for the rest of the rabbits life... but the symtoms creep back. Too many different strands to have a known cure at this time.


also, pretty much like stated above, like all rabbits carry it, its the ones with weak immune systems that it becomes 'full blown'.

Now, the breeder you got her from depending on her practices (please don't jump down my throat, I'm trying my hardest to tip toe around this subject)... will depend on how sickly her herd is. To be blunt and have people upset with me, if she doesnt cull out the sick, then I personally would NOT get another rabbit from her. My rabbits are my life and their health is what comes first and formost. Even if they were pets I don't want a life of meds for that animal. Thats just my opinion.

and if you are taking the sick one back, if you've other rabbits keep them seperate and watch them for a few weeks to be 100% none of them end up with it... espeicially before you buy another rabbit.

 

[MiniLopHop]

GorbyJobRabbits wrote:

Just want to make it clear that if its Pasteurella, it is not curable! Yes you can treat it for the rest of the rabbits life... but the symtoms creep back. Too many different strands to have a known cure at this time.

My current vet told me this too. We are currently treating with oral and eye drop antibiotics. She said that the bun will probably need eye drops for the rest of her life. I think the stress of bonding her is what brought on this attack. However, now they are totally inseperable and she's happy. Luckily her bond mate seems to be fine and has not shown any signs.

I'm a bit angry at our first vet that was treating this that they didn't tell me more about how this could effect her and other buns. They said it was just a minor eye infection, they didn't say it was pasteurella. They basically said it was no big deal. She didn't have a mate at that time, but since I thought it was minor I brought Indy in. I would not have taken that chance with him if I knew then what I know now. I guess it's a live and learn situation.