Chinchillas and Rabbits

[pansecho]

Do chinchillas get along with rabbits? I am not planning on housing them together, or having both at the same time, just generally curious.

 

[addictedtochins]

The rabbits can pass a disease to the chin, I'm sure someone else can remember what it is.

 

[greychins]

Chins and rabbits shouldn't even have the chance to get along. Rabbits carry pasteurella, which may not cause any problems for a rabbit, but can cause a chin some health issues. Not to mention, a rabbit's hind legs can easily injure a chin.

There would be nothing wrong with owning both at the same time, but I would never let them interact or anything like that.

 

[summerdays]

uless you know for sure the rabbit doesn't have it, you should keep them in a separate room too

 

[GorillaJTA]

Rabbits back legs are incredibly strong and could accidentally cut or hurt the chin severely. That coupled with the risk of spreading pasteurella to your chin, it is not worth finding out if they will be besties.

 

[Magyk]

uless you know for sure the rabbit doesn't have it, you should keep them in a separate room too

80% of rabbits carry Pasteurella and really, in terms of the rabbit, it's better for them to carry it as that way, if they are introduced to a rabbit that carries the active bacteria that is causing illness problems then they are more likely to have a sort of immunity built towards it since they carry it themselves.

In other words, I wouldn't put a rabbit with a chin because more likely then not, the rabbit carries Pasteurella. Just because it is not active does not mean the rabbit isn't a carrier.

Also, rabbits can be extremely dangerous, especially to something as small and fragile as a chin. They have powerful hind feet and are more then capable of biting and causing a lot of damage. Overall, a chin probably wouldn't stand much of a chance against an all out, aggressive bunny,

 

[feistychins]

I have lived with bunnies for 12 years and not one has ever had pasteurella. As a matter of fact not one of my bunnies has ever had any kind of a respiratory issue at all.

The biggest thing with chins and bunnies is the risk of injury to the chin because the bunny could accidently jump on or kick him.

Also, the bunny should not be around the chin dust because that could cause the bunny respiratory problems.

I have known of people who have bunnies and chins interact with each other with no problems, but I would not risk it myself.

 

[ticklechin]

Have you taken every single bunny in and had it tested for pasteurella? Bunnies for the most part carry it silently and according to most sites that are reputable 50% or more of rabbits carry it until the immune system is knocked down for some reason.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/171317.htm

 

[Magyk]

I have lived with bunnies for 12 years and not one has ever had pasteurella. As a matter of fact not one of my bunnies has ever had any kind of a respiratory issue at all.

Unless you have them tested specifically for the bacteria, then you would not know as it's dormant unless stress activates it. As I said before (And trust me, I rescue rabbits and have 12 currently, as well as volunteer with the rabbits at the humane society and have talked with many exotic vets that specialise with rabbits, I know what I'm talking about) 80% of rabbits carry the bacteria.

Odds are, you had rabbits with it.

Also, just for information purposes, Pasteurella does not only show itself in the form of respiratory problems, but can also cause abcess's, head tilt and weepy eyes.