[Gpdd] HEALTH: Bordetella & Pasteurella

[DFHAKES at aol.com]

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming rabbit adoption.  House  
Rabbit Society is very strict and we turn down more people than we accept for  
adoption.  No doubt you'll provide a safe, loving home.
 
I've had a rabbit and two to four guinea pigs living in the same room for  
the past seven years with no problem.  If you read the textbooks and talk  to 
some "by the book" vets, I'm an idiot.  That's because most of the  textbooks 
were written either by lab vets (and not practicing vets) and/or used  data from 
the huge barns used to raise pet & meat rabbits.  One of the  dirtiest 
environments possible, so no doubt they had rampant disease.
 
In a clean home environment you shouldn't have a problem.  Yes,  rabbits 
carry bordetella that can be problematic for piggers.  Piggers  carry pasteurella 
that can be problematic for rabbits.  But only in very  dirty environments or 
extremely sick animals.  
 
In my house, the bunny and piggies share the same toys and play area  (but 
not at the same time).  I replenish their hay from the same bin.   I do have 
separate guinea pig & bunny pellets as their nutritional needs are  different.  I 
have three other buns who are quite picky but my bunny eats  the same veggies 
as the piggies, including tomatoes, cucumber &  orange.
 
I don't let them play together.  My bunny is very strong and I think  she 
would hurt the guineas if provoked.  She enjoys watching the guinea  pigs run on 
the floor and often flops happily when they run around.  I  think a mellow 
bunny would be fine playing with guinea pigs.
 
Colorado is a great chapter and I know they'll answer any questions you  have 
and provide the support you need during your adoption process. Make sure  you 
buy a copy of the fourth edition of the House Rabbit Handbook.  Please  let 
me know if you have any questions.
 
Regards,

Dana Felice
Chapter Manager
Tampa Bay House  Rabbit Society

Please check out our rabbit information and lists of  adoptable rabbits 
at:_www.tampabayhrs.org_ (http://www.tampabayhrs.org/) 
http://wwww.tampabayhrs.petfinder.com  (check out our new Petfinder address!)


"It doesn't matter what the  kids say. Rabbits are not disposable like a box 
of cereal or a Disney video.  They WILL get tired of the rabbits and go on to 
the next toy. YOU will have to  deal with the consequences. Unfortunately, 
most people deal with the situation  by DUMPING their rabbits on someone else. 
Ultimately, it is the bunny that pays  for your inability to say NO."



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