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Can soil carry bunny diseases?

tjc

New Kit
Hey everyone. I’m hoping that some of you might be able to help with this - I’ve looked online but I can’t seem to find an answer.
I’ve got two house rabbits and I want to make them a digging box with mud in it, but my garden often has wild rabbits in it, and I’m worried that any mud I bring in might be contaminated if any of the wild rabbits are ill. Is this something that’s likely? Or am I over-worrying?
I did wonder if I could sterilise the mud by baking it in the oven or something, but I can’t find anything online to see if that would then make it safe. Or for how long/what temp to cook it. Anyone know?
Thanks very much for any help you can give.

Teresa x
 
Are your bunnies vaccinated? I wouldn't worry as much if so. I keep giant African land snails and see people sterilise soil for them in the oven, I think at 200 degrees not sure how long for but can check. I buy a small bag of compost (must be fertiliser free) and use this for my indoor buns just to be safe :)
 
If you do use sand you have to check Bunnies over when they finish playing in it, ie eyes, genitals etc.
 
If your rabbits are vaccinated for myxomatosis, RHD1 and RHD2, there is no additional risk from using garden soil. If they are not vaccinated, they really need doing (it's a single jab annually now) as they are still vulnerable to these deadly diseases.

Compost and / or bark mulch would be a decent substitute. John Innes is a soil-based compost formula (but pick the basic one with no fertiliser). Shredded paper (as long as they don't eat it) or hay would also bo OK in a digging box.

Sterilising soil is a very smelly process to do it properly - it's not really something you can do in your oven with guaranteed results.
 
I would rather buy children's playsand. Otherwise-put some protective spot on treatment. It also depends where you live. If RHD1 and RHD2 are possible risk-vaccination first (and even that is not 100% guarantee).
 
I would rather buy children's playsand. Otherwise-put some protective spot on treatment. It also depends where you live. If RHD1 and RHD2 are possible risk-vaccination first (and even that is not 100% guarantee).

In the UK, the 3 rabbit viruses are a significant risk to all unvaccinated rabbits. Close proximity to known wild rabbit population is a risk.

Not sure what you hope to achieve by a spot-on treatment - they are only advised when specific infestations have been identified on a particular rabbit (eg mites). They are not recommended as a preventative measure, and garden soil should not be an issue here.
 
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