Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ya, I know it sounds bad. Read before you flame.

I work at a petstore. One of our rabbits has a really bad respiratory infection. It probally will not make it through the night. We also have a large burmese. Can we feed the rabbit to the snake with no harm coming to the snake?

I just wanted to make sure. Thanks in advance.
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Cheers,

Michael Starkey

Not real sure if it would transmit to the burm, but I don't think I'd risk it.

Quig

Hi Michael,

Your first sentence below should serve as your guide. It sounds bad - so it likely is bad. I'm not sure about the risk of generating a xenomorphic bacterium or viral particle from doing such a thing, but is it really worth the risk?

What have you to gain? - a single meal for the snake. Are times very tough there, so much so that the snake doesn't have food to eat otherwise?

What have you to lose? - in the least, nothing may happen, hopefully. But what if the infection made the jump? Then you would have compromised the snake's well being, and can possibly create a type of infection for which there is no cure and no natural resistance (by the infected animal and those around it).

Sure, it probably won't hurt, but it could, and it could be very bad. Also, even if the 'worst' doesn't happen, consider that you would still be introducing a critical concentration of bacteria or viruses (enough to cause infection in the rabbit) to the snake. This could be enough to cause an immuno response at some level that could be taxing to the snake's immune system.

Though it might seem like a good way to 'dispose' of a sick rabbit/potential python food, I wouldn't risk it, if you have any alternative. Think of it this way - would you want to eat a burger that was ground from a sick cow?

No flaming intended,
- Mark

>>Ya, I know it sounds bad. Read before you flame.
>>
>>I work at a petstore. One of our rabbits has a really bad respiratory infection. It probally will not make it through the night. We also have a large burmese. Can we feed the rabbit to the snake with no harm coming to the snake?
>>
>>I just wanted to make sure. Thanks in advance.
>>-----
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Michael Starkey

Mark & Quig
Well thought-out responses to a straight-ahead question. Really appreciate everyone's tone; keeps the forum on-point but civil. Thank you all for that.

LOL, was no reason to flame. After all , you didn't say you were GONNA do it. You were lookin' for opinions.

Quig

I work part time at both a nursing home and a zoo.

The tigers haven't caught anything yet.

ALthough some R.I. ailments are host specific, there are a number of ailments that can easily be transmitted from mammals to reptiles; I personally would not take any chances. Put the rabbit down and feed your burm a healthy animal.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Ya, I know it sounds bad. Read before you flame.
>>
>>I work at a petstore. One of our rabbits has a really bad respiratory infection. It probally will not make it through the night. We also have a large burmese. Can we feed the rabbit to the snake with no harm coming to the snake?
>>
>>I just wanted to make sure. Thanks in advance.
>>-----
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Michael Starkey
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL