Rabies in rabbits is a viral disease that has no cure. The incubation time frame for rabies in rabbits is typically 2-3 weeks; although it can be longer. The initial signs of rabies in rabbits develop non-specific that can make it difficult to recognize.
However, within days of the first symptoms, rabbits will begin to show neurological symptoms, including head tilt, head tremors, slack jaw, difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking or partial paralysis of the limbs.
Primarily, the rabies virus gets transmission by wildlife in the US, like as raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes. Mostly pets get infect from contacting with a wild animals.
This virus is presented in the infected animal’s saliva, and then carried via bits otherwise open wound contaminated with infected saliva, or direct contact with mucous membranes.
Currently, there is no any approved rabies vaccine present for your bunnies. Therefore, get better prevention your bunnies from contracting rabies are to prevent exposure to wildlife.
What are Causes & Reasons of Rabies in Rabbits?
Rabies in rabbits has less probability as compared to other mammals, but it can occur. The primary reason of rabies in rabbits is exposure to the rabies virus. Here, we will show you about how rabbits can contract rabies:
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Bite from Infected Animal: The most common way for a rabbit to contract rabies is through a bite from an infected animal. Rabies is typically getting to spread through the saliva of an infected animal. So if a rabbit is bitten by a rabid animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, or another mammal carrying the virus, they can become infected.
Scratches or Open Wounds: Rabbits can also potentially get rabies if they have open wounds or scratches that come into contact with the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected animal.
Contaminated Environment: If a rabbit comes into contact with surfaces contaminated with the saliva or other bodily fluids of an infected animal. Cause of this, they could potentially contract the virus through ingestion or through open wounds.
Vertical Transmission: While rare, there have been cases where rabies has been transmitted from a pregnant animal to its offspring in utero.
Unvaccinated Status: If, rabbits have not been properly vaccinated against rabies, then it is a higher risk of contracting the virus if exposed to it.
What are Symptoms & Signs of Rabbits Rabies?
If your rabbits get rabies, then it may exhibit a various symptoms, but progression and severity of symptoms can vary. Here are some common signs of rabies in rabbits, including:
Behavioral Changes: Rabbits with rabies can display unusual behavior such as aggression, restlessness, or extreme fearfulness. They may also exhibit changes in their typical behavior patterns.
Neurological Symptoms: Rabies affects the nervous system, so infected rabbits may show neurological symptoms such as tremors, seizures, muscle spasms, or paralysis. These symptoms can progress rapidly as the disease advances.
Difficulty Swallowing: Rabies can cause difficulty swallowing that leading to excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth. This symptom is often associated with the classic image of a rabid animal.
Altered Vocalizations: Rabbits with rabies make unusual vocalizations such as whimpering, growling, or screaming.
Loss of Appetite: Infected rabbits may lose interest in eating or drinking, so it leading to weight loss and dehydration.
Hydrophobia: While hydrophobia, or fear of water, is commonly associated with rabies in animals like dogs, cats, and bats, it’s less frequently observed in rabbits. However, some rabbits with rabies may exhibit signs of agitation or fear when presented with water.
Sudden Death: In some cases, rabbits infected with rabies may die suddenly without displaying obvious symptoms.
Treatment of Rabies Affected Rabbits
Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for rabies in rabbits. Rabies is a viral disease that can affect animal’s nervous system, and once symptoms manifest, the disease is almost invariably fatal.
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So, you can prevent it and to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus to other animals or humans.
Prevention is the key when it comes to rabies in rabbits. This includes:
Vaccination: Vaccinating pet rabbits against rabies is crucial for preventing the disease. Veterinarians mostly recommend to rabies vaccination, especially in areas where rabies is prevalent.
Avoiding Contact with Wildlife: Minimize exposure of pet rabbits to wild animals, which can carry the rabies virus. This includes keeping pet rabbits indoors or in enclosed areas, and preventing them from coming into contact with potentially infected animals.
Prompt Veterinary Attention: If any animal bit to your pet rabbit, then seek veterinary attention immediately. Even if the biting animal is not known to be rabid, prompt medical care can help prevent potential infection.
Reporting Incidents: Whenever, any potentially rabid animal gets bit your pet bunny; then quickly you have to need for reporting the incident to local animal control authorities, because they will take appropriate measurement to prevent the spread of this virus.
How Can You Protect Your Bunnies from Rabies?
If, you want to protect your bunnies from rabies problem, and get to minimize their risk of exposure to the virus, then you can follow some ways to keep your rabbits safe from rabies virus:
Also Read: Rabbit Head Tilt and its Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Making ensure about your rabbits properly get to vaccination against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccination is highly effective for preventing the disease, and also typically recommend for pet rabbits.
You should be limiting about your rabbits’ exposure to wild animals that reduces the risk of contact with potentially rabid animals. Keeping rabbits in securely fenced enclosures, which can help prevent encounters with wildlife.
If your rabbits spend time outdoors in a fenced area, make sure the enclosure is secure and predator-proof. So, it helps to prevent access by wild animals that may carry rabies.
When allowing your rabbit’s outdoor time, supervise them closely to prevent encounters with wild animals. You always avoid for leaving rabbits unsupervised in spots where they can get contact along with wildlife.
You must be learning about all signs of rabies in animals and be vigilant for any unusual behavior in your rabbits in your area. Report any suspected cases of rabies to local animal control authorities.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Rabies in Rabbits?
Rabies in rabbits is a viral infection that can lead by the rabies virus, and can affect the nervous system. Rabbits can contract rabies if bitten by a rabid animal, although it’s relatively uncommon as compared to other mammals. The disease progresses rapidly and is typically fatal once symptoms appear.
Do Rabbits Have Rabies?
Rabbits can get rabies if bitten by a rabid or rabies affected animal. However, it’s relatively rare chance for rabbits to carry rabies as compared to other mammals like bats, raccoons, or skunks. You should be cautious, and seek veterinary attention, if your rabbit appears unusual behavior.
What Happens If Any Rabies Affected Rabbit Bites You?
If, any rabies-affected rabbit bites you, then immediate you take action due to the risk of rabies transmission. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and get make usually transmission through the saliva of infected animals.
Do Pet Rabbits Need Rabies Shots?
No! Your pet rabbits do not typically need rabies shots. Rabies is a very rare disease in rabbits, and the risk of contracting rabies in countries like Australia and the United States is extremely low. While some veterinary practices may offer rabies vaccinations for rabbits in areas where the disease is prevalent, infections in rabbits are quite rare.
Can Rabbits Transmit Rabies to Humans?
Yes! Rabbits can transmit rabies to humans through bites or scratches, if they are infected with the rabies virus. However, transmission from rabbits to humans is rare chances as compared to other animals. Get medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis are necessary if bitten or scratched by a rabid rabbit.
Can Rabbits Survive Rabies?
Rabbits or other mammals cannot survive rabies once clinical symptoms appear. Rabies is a viral disease that can get affect bunny’s nervous system and posing to severe neurological symptoms and eventual death. Once symptoms develop, then you can’t cure rabies disease. So prevention through vaccination and prompt medical attention is essential.
Final Remarks
At rare, your rabbits get rabies infection. But, it is a serious viral infection. There are less common in bunnies as compared to other mammals, like as dogs or bats. So, this disease can get fatal, once symptoms appear.
Also Read: Rabbit Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms
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