Center for Laboratory Animal Care
Fact Sheet
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Center for Laboratory Animal Care |
Rabbits are usually docile animals that are easy to handle and pose few health risks to laboratory personnel and animal care staff. The primary concern when working with rabbits is developing allergies. Staff assigned to rabbit areas should be trained in handling techniques and protective clothing requirements prior to beginning hands-on work.
Only trained personnel should handle rabbits. Handling and restraint training can be scheduled through CLAC
Gloves and long sleeved apparel should be worn at all times when working with rabbits
Wash hands after handling animals
When seeking medical advice for any illness, inform your physician that you work with rabbits.
To reduce the risk of exposure to allergens when rabbits are transported to or used in laboratories, staff are advised to adhere to the following practices:
Dust masks should be worn at all times when working with rabbits; whenever there is a risk of aerosol transmission of a zoonotic agent, approved respirator masks (e.g., Type N95 by 3M company) should be worn instead of dust masks
Minimize wearing protective clothing such as lab coats outside of animal areas and laboratories
Remove transport carriers from labs/offices/public areas
Use disposable supplies whenever possible
Sanitize lab/surgical work areas after animal work.
Rabbits may scratch handlers, particularly when they are improperly restrained. Bites are rare and usually minor.
Wash any injured site with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
Control bleeding by applying direct pressure with a sterile gauze or bandage
Cover wound with clean bandage (do not apply ointment or spray)
Seek advice from emergency room physician.
Pasteurella multocida is a serious pathogen of rabbits and has been associated with infected bites and scratches sustained from rabbits.
Protozoal organism that is common in mammals, particularly younger animals.
Reservoir/source of infection: Many mammals
Transmission: Fecal/oral
Disease in people: Self-limiting diarrhea except in immune compromised people where it canbe quite severe. No treatment.
Allergies to rabbit fur and dander are well documented. A major glycoprotein allergen has been described that appears to occur in the fur of rabbits, and minor allergenic components found in rabbit saliva and urine have been identified.
Web page compiled by Dr. Peter Autenried
Copyright © 2002 UConn Health Center. All rights reserved.
Revised: 11/15/2005