What diseases can you get from a cotton tail rabbit?

Answer 1

The first sign of many illnesses is that your rabbit stops eating, which itself can lead to further complications because rabbits can't safely fast like humans, dogs, and cats can. If your rabbit has stopped eating, drinking water, peeing, pooping, or playing and socializing, bring it to a rabbit-savvy vet ASAP.

The following is an incomplete list. Please refer to the related links and questions below for more information.

• Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD): Very few symptoms, normally the first you know of it is you discover your rabbit dead in the hutch one morning. Almost impossible to treat. In the UK, rabbits are vaccinated against VHD.
• Myxomatosis: A nasty disease, symptoms include swollen head, crusty eyes with discharge, and general signs of depression. Almost impossible to treat. In the UK, rabbits are vaccinated against Myxo.
• Fly-strike: This is where flies lay their eggs in the rabbits anal/genital area which in turn hatch into maggots and eat the rabbit alive. To prevent it, clean your animal's accommodation regularly, treat it with a safe insecticidal disinfectant (your pet store or vet will recommend one) and regularly check your rabbits anus and genitals for feces that have become stuck to the fur, as this attracts the flies. If it has any, clean it with cotton wool and warm water and then apply a disinfectant powder.
• Diarrhoea: Caused by by a sensitivity to certain foods. Diarrhoea is an emergency in juveniles! NOTE: Unformed cecals may be mistaken for diarrhoea. In adults, unformed cecals, or cecal dysbiosis, is the result of dietary problems (which itself may be the result of other problems) and can lead to GI Stasis (see below).
• Snuffles: A common respiratory disease that causes sneezing and discharge from the nose, eyes, and ears. It is usually caused by unsanitary conditions in pet stores. This is usually cured with antibiotics.
• Ovarian Cancer: Many unaltered female rabbits will contract ovarian cancer; rates are higher than 50% in does older than 4. It's highly recommended that all female rabbits are spayed (removal of ovaries and uterus).
• GI Stasis: Rabbits have unusual and sensitive digestive systems. Unlike humans/dogs/cats, rabbits can't safely fast, not even for a short period of time; unfortunately, fasting is a common response to pain and stress, and if left alone the rabbit will die (it's unlikely they'll start eating again on their own initiative). When rabbits stop eating their digestive system shuts down: this is called ileus or gastro-intestinal stasis (GI stasis). Rabbits in ileus must be treated under direction of a rabbit-savvy vet with pain meds, hydration, motility meds, force-feeding, and comfort/love. Once the rabbit has recovered, the cause should be determined through careful physical exams, especially of the teeth (maybe X-rays too); as well as diagnostic tests (urine, feces, blood).
• Gas: Gas can lead to ileus if severe and/or left untreated. Signs of gas include pain (glassy eyes, hiding, lethargy, decrease in appetite, sitting hunched up with eyes half-closed), loud stomach noises, hard/taut stomach, and/or lying with stomach flat against the floor. Gas can be treated with belly massage and simethicone. If there's no improvement after a few hours, seek veterinary care. Gas is sometimes a fact of life but it can be largely avoided through manipulation of the diet. (Some veggies are more indicated in gas than others, and some rabbits are more sensitive than others, so you have to get to know your rabbit.)
• Poison: Rabbits can't vomit, so when they eat something bad it has to work its way through their entire system. There are many poisonous substances for rabbits and they can't be trusted to avoid them on their own (domestication results in the loss of many wild instincts). Keep them out of reach of your rabbit.
• Dental Problems: Rabbit teeth grow continuously. A healthy diet high in fibre (hay should make up about 90% of their diet) goes a long way to preventing dental problems, but sometimes bad genetics (usually the result of irresponsible breeding) plays a big factor. Your vet should look closely (with a scope) at your rabbit's teeth every year, and you should do what you can at home every month. Some examples include: (1) Small spurs on the molars can irritate the tongue or cheeks causing pain; this can lead to ileus. The vet will anaesthetize the rabbit and grind the spurs down; antibiotics may be required if the tongue/cheek are really cut-up. (2) The teeth can grow into the skull or jawbone, causing abscesses; any lumps found in the rabbit's face must be immediately looked at by a vet. Treatment involves antibiotics and daily cleaning/dressing of the wound; sometimes surgery. (3) The rabbit's front teeth can overgrow and become maloccluded; this may not cause pain but can physically prevent the rabbit from eating which, again, will lead to ileus. Treatment involves clipping the rabbit's teeth; if the rabbit is uncontrollable, anaesthesia may be necessary.
• Broken Bones: Rabbit bones are weak, although their hind-leg muscles are strong: if they're really freaked out, they can kick hard enough to break their own backs. They can also easily injure themselves by falling, being dropped or kicked, being stepped on, etc. Broken bones must be handled by a vet. Prevent accidents and injuries by controlling your rabbit's environment.

Myxomatosis (eye related problems that lead to blindness or death)

Can't think of any others off the top of my head...

Answer 2

AIDS.

Answer 3

Tularemia