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Can rabbits catch chicken pox?

emsie_81

emsie_81

Young Bun
Hello, this is probably a stupid question but can rabbits catch chicken pox?:oops:

My housemate is having visitors over on friday including 2 children who have chicken pox :shock:. My bun and his new wifey (hopefully, fingers crossed) may back at home after being bonded by then and i'm concerned they might catch it. I've tried googling it but didn't find anything definitive. Has anyone any ideas? :?
 
hi

Well we all have to ask silly questions to find out (although no question is silly) I really never thought about it so cant say for definite. However I would think No not as the way we get it but then why do they test drugs on rabbits if they cant have that disease if you get me. My best idea would be prob just keep them out the way, when I have cold I dont cuddle them etc as I dont want to breathe germs all over them.
But isn't chicken pox ok once the spots are out anyway? the cathing time is before the rash shows I think.
Soz cant be much help
 
I don't know the proper way to say this, but I believe it's only the zoonotic illnesses that can pass from one to the other (or just from rabbits to immune supressed people), and I don't think chicken pox is one of those. Having said that, hopefully someone who knows more about it can come along and clarify.
 
Answer from Dana Krempels(Exotics Specialist Vet) to a similar question :

Viruses can sometimes "jump species." And in the case of the Chicken pox virus (varicella zoster), there are related viruses (Herpes type) that have been reported to be transmitted from human to rabbit with fatal results for the rabbit.

I am not aware of any cases of chicken pox virus having been fatal to a rabbit. But it would not be a bad idea to keep your bunny away from your roommate until all infectious stages have passed. (Please ask your physician, or your roommate's physician about how long this should be.)

Best rule of thumb: If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

I hope this helps!

Dana
 
From my limited virology experience, there have been no cases of rabbits getting chickenpox, however, rabbits can become infected with a related virus - herpes - which can be fatal. If you are really worried keep the rabbit away from the kids until the infectious period is over - usually takes 10-20 days for the disease to break out and symptoms to appear.
 
Scary! :shock: What about mumps? I have mumps and have obviously had to continue caring for the rabbits whilst I am ill :?
 
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