Domestic rabbits live a more protected and tended life than their wild counterparts, but they are still very much susceptible to a range of diseases.
So, as a rabbit owner or hobby farmer raising domestic rabbits, it is essential to know about these different types of diseases, the natural risks to your rabbits’ health, how to pick up on any early symptoms, and finally, how to best provide preventative care for your bunnies.
Especially because, as natural prey animals, rabbits are likely to try to hide any serious injury or pain they experience.
Fortunately, in this post I will go over everything having to do with rabbit diseases that I have learned and experienced over the years. So get out your notepad and pen and keep reading!
Types Of Rabbit Diseases
The range of common illnesses that can plague your rabbit fall under three primary categories: viral, bacterial, and parasitic.
I’ll start off by highlighting each type of disease with some of the most common examples of them that your rabbit may, but hopefully never will, contract.
Viral Rabbit Diseases
There are two primary infectious diseases that are rabbit specific, viral, and very aggressive: Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease.
These two particular viral diseases are also contagious, and can be spread from one rabbit to another through close contact or fluids.
Fast Fact: infectious diseases are simply those caused by viral, bacterial, or fungus that enter the organism and cause infection.
Myxomatosis In Rabbits
Myxomatosis is a viral infection caused by a poxvirus called the Myxoma virus. This nasty disease is spread to and from rabbits through biting insects, such as fleas or mosquitos, that ingest the virus from already infected animals.
The virus infects the rabbit’s mucous glands and is characterized by the formation of tumors on the face of infected bunnies.
Myxomatosis was first found across South America, where native small mammals have built some immunity over time. Unfortunately, for rabbits of European descent (i.e. all domesticated rabbits), myxomatosis often causes death.
Fast Fact: A poxvirus is the type of large virus that causes smallpox in humans and other vertebrates.
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
RHD is one of the deadliest diseases your rabbits can contract. RHD is caused by a calicivirus called Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) and, like myxomatosis, it is spread and contracted from biting insects.
There are currently two strains of RHD known: RHDV-1 and RHDV-2. The first strain was first documented in England and the latter was recently found in both domesticated and wild rabbits on the American continent.
RHD is extremely contagious and can be spread through contact with feces, general inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or other close contact with infected rabbits.
All cases of RHD have been closely tracked and documented across the United States, especially as this viral disease is a silent killer that often isn’t detected until it is too late.
Other Viral Rabbit Diseases
Some other notable viral diseases that domestic rabbits can suffer from include:
- Rabies: Rabies is a dangerous viral infection for rabbit’s to contract because there is not a rabies vaccine for rabbits! The rabies virus is fatal for bunnies. Moreover, be aware that if your rabbits contract rabies they can transmit the virus to humans and other animals.
- Papillomatosis: two different types of this viral infection exist; both are spread through biting insects. Papillomatosis is recognized due to the numerous, tumor-like warts it causes on rabbits’ mouths, tongues, and necks.
- Rotavirus: a viral infection that causes stomach upset and diarrhea. It is not an aggressive disease but is widespread in domestic rabbits!
Parasitic Rabbit Diseases
While many viral diseases mentioned above are usually fatal for bunnies, there are a number of parasitic rabbit diseases that are much more common, but not often fatal.
Worm Parasites In Rabbits
For example, worms are a common parasite that domestic rabbits, especially those living outdoors, may experience.
There are three types of worm parasites that can be found in rabbits:
- Tapeworm
- Stomach worm
- Pinworm
The first two are very unlikely and are only found in rabbits if they spend a lot of time in shared outdoor spaces with your other pets (i.e. dogs, cats) and eat a bit of their infected feces.
The third worm is the most common type to infect rabbits. You may recognize this intestinal parasite as a common dog, horse, and human parasite as well.
Learn more about these common parasitic worms in rabbits in our post on Worms In Rabbits.
Mites On Rabbits
Like many other furry mammals, rabbit skin and fur are a happy and inviting living environment for a variety of mites.
And there are a few common mite species that rabbits are susceptible to, which include:
- Cheyletiella mite
- Psoroptes cuniculi mites
- Ornithonyssus bacoti mites
- Sarcoptes scabiei mites
Mites may seem like a small issue but an untreated breakout can result in serious harm to your rabbit’s nervous system and bodily functions and can result in deadly disease; mites on rabbits must be taken seriously!
Ticks Parasites On Rabbits
Another common parasite that I have found on our outdoor rabbits, especially in the summer, are ticks.
Ticks are small arachnids that seek and attach themselves to warm-blooded host animals. They bite the host and feed on their blood.
But the greatest risk to the host animal is not the small loss of blood that occurs, but the transmitted diseases that the tick transfers to your rabbit during feeding.
Learn more about tick prevention and how to best remove a tick from your rabbit in our Ticks On Rabbits post!
Bacterial Bunny Diseases
Finally, there is a whole host of bacterial diseases and infections that can cause major discomfort, poor health, and even death to your bunnies.
Lyme disease is an example of a serious bacteria-cause sickness in rabbits that is due to a nasty infection of Borrelia burgdorferi and (less often) Borrelia mayonii. If left untreated, Lyme disease in rabbits can spread and negatively affect the joints, the heart, and the nervous system health of your bunnies.
Other notable bacterial diseases and illnesses in rabbits include:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis: this rabbit malady is most often caused by poor diet and/or stress and is characterized by reduced or absent GI movement. Rabbits suffering from GI stasis may also experience an imbalance in stomach bacterias that causes bloating and further indigestion.
- Mouth and Teeth Infections: these types of bacterial infections are often caused by misaligned teeth or poor diet. Unfortunately, an unchecked mouth infection can lead to blood poisoning and death in rabbits!
- Ear Infections: although most often caused by mites, your rabbit can also suffer from aggressive ear infections caused by unhealthy bacterial flare-ups, stress, or a badly healed ear wound.
- Respiratory Infections: older or weakened rabbits are very susceptible to contracting a nasty, respiratory bacterial infection. This can cause wheezing, trouble breathing, and potential fluid in their lungs. All respiratory infections must be diagnosed and treated by your local vet.
Killer Diseases In Rabbits: Rabbit Diseases That Cause Death
Some of the most lethal diseases in rabbits are the following: if you suspect that your bunny is suffering from one of these, call your local vet immediately!
- Myxomatosis – most rabbits die within 10-14 days of infection.
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) – detection of the disease most often occurs when the rabbit has already died, the first symptoms being bleeding from the nose.
- Rabies – there is currently no vaccine or cure for rabies in rabbits.
Rabbit Diseases: Domesticated Rabbits vs. Wild Rabbits
Do Wild Bunnies Carry Disease
Yes, wild rabbits carry a number of diseases and can spread any infectious disease or parasite to your domestic rabbits, if they come in contact.
For more information about all the diseased wild rabbits carry, check out the link!
Differences In Susceptibility and Risks
When it comes to rabbit diseases, many of the more serious cases and outbreaks occur in wild rabbit populations.
This is simply because wild rabbits live a less protected life and are exposed to a wider range of environments, pests, and other host and carrier animals than domestic rabbits.
As such, wild rabbits are much more susceptible to all forms of viral, parasitic, bacterial, and fungal disease and infections.
This is important to realize, especially if your domestic rabbits frequent outdoor areas where you’ve seen wild rabbits; remember that multiple infectious diseases can be spread through contact with feces!
Can Rabbit Diseases Spread To Humans
Yes, there is a type of disease, called a zoonotic disease, that can be spread from animals to humans.
Some examples of zoonotic disease that rabbits can carry and transfer to humans include:
- Pasteurellosis
- Ringworm
- Mycobacteriosis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- External Parasites
All of these are treatable diseases, most are caused by bacterial infection, and none are fatal to humans.
Rabbit Diseases: Top 10 Symptoms
While the broad range of viral, parasitic, and bacterial rabbit diseases may manifest very differently, there are some very telling initial symptoms that can alert you that something isn’t right with your bunny!
So if you ever notice any of these top ten disease symptoms in your rabbits, we recommend chatting with your local vet as soon as possible.
The Top Ten Sick Rabbit Symptoms
- Hair Loss
- Lethargy
- Open, Puss-filled Sores
- Weepy Eyes
- Labored Breathing
- Dizziness
- Drastic Weight Loss
- Swelling of Glands
- Prolonged Rapid Heart Rate
- Loss of Appetite
Rabbit Disease Treatment And Prevention
Without a doubt, treatment is much tricker and specific than detection.
And proper treatment of any disease or infection that your rabbit contracts does require the knowledgeable assistance of a trained veterinarian.
In fact, many serious and aggressive diseases can only be successfully treated with prescription medications, temporary quarantine, and other situational measures that the vet will share with you.
But a huge part of treatment is actually prevention, especially when it come to rabbits, who are sensitive and prone to stress.
And when it comes to the prevention of some common (and not so common) rabbit diseases, I have found that the three following steps have been most effective for our bunnies.
Preventative Step 1: Know Your Rabbit
This is as simple as it sounds: know your rabbit.
I am a huge proponent for handling and petting all your rabbits daily. Not only does this help with human/animal bonding but it also affords you a familiarity with your bunny that will come in handy when something is wrong.
Don’t usually feel a bump in a certain place when petting your rabbit? Check to see if it is a tick or a wart growing.
Seeing irregular patchy spots? Check warm and tender areas for signs of mites.
Is your usually peppy rabbit acting slow and lethargic? Double check their feces and pay attention to their eating habits over the next few hours.
It is also handy to know how to best calm a rabbit down, as a stressed rabbit is likely to have a weakened immune system or suffer from shock.
Preventative Step 2: Proper Diet
The key to a long and healthy life for domesticated rabbits, whether indoor pets or outdoor farm animals, is a proper diet.
Bunnies have dietary requirements unlike any other common pet or homestead animal: rabbits require up to 80% of their total diet to be densely fibrous plant food material.
This is why I offer our rabbits unlimited quantities of high quality hay, which is the ideal high fiber foodstuff for them.
A rabbit’s digestive system is also very sensitive and cannot handle overly fatty or sugary foods either.
So, to ensure our rabbits get enough proteins, vitamins and minerals, I supplement their diets about 20% with rabbit specific pellets and fill in any nutritional gaps with 5-10% fresh leafy greens, rabbit-safe veggies, fruits, and fresh garden herbs.
You can read more about the importance of diet and healthy food options for rabbits by browsing our post archive!
Preventative Step 3: Regular Vet Visits
The final preventative step against a host of rabbit diseases is to ensure you schedule regular veterinarian checkups for your bunnies.
This means bringing in all your healthy adult rabbits for an annual checkup and any older or injured rabbits for, at the least, bi-annual checkups.
This preventative measure will allow your vet to track your bunnys’ growth and vital signs and identify if an underlying issue is at hand.
Final Thoughts On All About Rabbit Diseases
Knowing about the range of infectious, viral, parasital, and bacterial diseases that can affect rabbits is one of the best ways to shape and guide preventative rabbit care.
I have also learned to never underestimate the importance of knowing your rabbit, providing a healthy diet, and checking in with the local vet.
And while many diseases manifest in specific ways, it is so helpful to know the most common symptoms of illness and discomfort so that quick and affirmative action can take place if you have a sick bunny!
Finally, tending to your rabbit well means tending to all your other pets and family members, as rabbits can transfer certain pesky infections and parasites to other pets and farmyard animals as well as to us humans.
