I think my Rabbit might have rabies, please hellllpppppppp!!!?

Question

my neighbors bunnies got loose and one was living in my yard, (only about 2months old), we finally caught it about 2 weeks later. we've owned hm now for about 2 and a half weeks and iv noticed some weird behavior. he twitches his head a lot and scratches his left ear. in his ear we found red-ish brown stuff i though maybe ear mites. but hes been really pissy lately, he growled at me when i toughed him and when ever we go to hold him he try's to bite. what is wrong?

Answer 1

probably ear mites or an infection, these can make the ears really sore and make the rabbit aggressive when being touched, take him to the vet

Answer 2

Although it's possible for all mammals to get rabies, it is highly unlikely that a rabbit is a carrier.  Maybe he's not used to being touched, is feeling ill and grouchy cause of ear mites, is scared.

Answer 3

Your rabbit most likely has flees that bite him and make him itchy you should go to walmart or a pet store and get some stuff to clean him off with.

But first look at him it is easyer for a rabbit to get flees and ticks that has been out side for more than a night than a dog or cat.

Answer 4

I'm sorry to say the only way (i know of) to know for sure if it has rabies is to take it to animal control/vet and they would have to test it, most likely killing it in the process.

Answer 5

Well, not rabies, that's more than a bit over dramatic- it's rare for a rabbit to get rabies simply for the fact that if they get bitten by an animal that has rabies, they're more likely to get killed than live to bite anyone else, or be so badly injured that they have to be put down- it isn't an illness that appears from no where. It's even more rare considering, according to other answers plus information, rabbits don't GET rabies, so get that dramatic idea out of your head please and concentrate on what could and probably is really wrong-

Ear mites/infection.

And a need for possible nuturing.

Take him to a vet.

You need to take him to the vet in regards to possible ear mites/ear infection, which rabbits can get easily if they get water/gunk in their ears, but also to see if you can get him nurtured- although male rabbits are generally more laid back than female ones, an unnurtured male still may display aggressive and territorial behaviour such as growling and biting- this isn't a sign of rabies, just a rabbit who's hit puberty with no release for sexual build up, and nurturing will help this, and also lower the chances in various cancers. If he is nutured already- a vet will tell easily- than he may just be grumpy because of the fact he's ill and you touching him is just causing heat and irritation when he's already in pain and maybe even has a temperature. Either way, a vet can sort all these problems out- curing the physical illness and hence helping the behavioural.

So don't be over dramatic, it's not rabies.

Answer 6

I agree with the ear mites. If he was running loose for a couple of weeks and he is only a couple of months old then he hasn't had a chance to be socialised yet hence why he grunted.  A male rabbit will spray and pea everywere to mark their territory. Getting him neutered will help.  If you see your rabbit acting wierdly then take him to the vet.  If you can't afford the vet then speak to your local S.P.C.A or vets who could put you in touch with someone who could help.  To the person who said not to listen to anyone on here, WHAT! This person is asking for advice and help.  Do you have rabbits?  I do.  I have encountered the same problem and thats why I can offer advice as im sure other users can.  Please don't be condascending.

Answer 7

I doubt it is rabies, sounds like he is acting this way because he doesn't feel well.  From what you described about what you found in his ears, he probably has an infection, hence the head twitching and scratching.

Answer 8

well rabbits cant carry rabies so your good on that, are you sure its a he?

it is probably ear mites btw.

Answer 9

Rodents (including rats) and rabbits do not carry rabies.

Answer 10

It sounds like your rabbit may have a bad ear infection or ear mites. This is probably what is causing him to be grouchy. If you were very sick and in a lot of pain you wouldn't want to be handled, either.

Take him to the vet and get his some medicine. I'm sure after treatment he would be back to normal.

I don't know much about rabbits, but he may not have had much experience with being handled, either. I know puppies who aren't properly socialized can get irritable when handled. The same might apply to a rabbit.

Answer 11

If i were you i would ask a vet not some everyday person who probably doesnt know what they're talking about on here.