Myxomatosis - risk to horses?

[rolsterlady]

Basically, we have lots of apple trees close by and in previous years have used the fallen ones for the horses.

This year however i have seen quite a lot of rabbits in the area that the trees are with myxomatosis...

Is there any risk of feeding the apples to the horses if the rabbits have been near them? To be honest, i probably won't anyway and will feed the ones i pick off the trees but was just wondering if there was any risk at all.

Thanks

 

[dominobrown]

As far as I am aware myxomatosis only effects rabbits.

(Yep, only rabbits, looked on vet webiste).

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Yup, no cross species risk.

 

[mulledwhine]

Only affects bunnies

 

[YorksG]

My understanding is that the disease is spread via a parasite which affects the rabbit by means of entering the ears, so horses are fine.

 

[indie999]

My old boy has survived the mxy bunnies so far in his field with apple tree over many years so NO

 

[fallenangel123]

It is spread by fleas and mosquitos but only affects rabbits.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Poor bunnies!

 

[Pale Rider]

Are mules and donkeys at risk, also very worried.

 

[competitiondiva]

It is spread by fleas and mosquitos but only affects rabbits.

this, a flea hops on an infected rabbit, has a drink then hops onto his mate in the warren and infects that rabbit and so on, some rabbits have a natural immunity to it but most don't (hence the reason why the whole colony is not killed by it but greatly reduces the population) it is only transmitable to other rabbits, no other species can get it. So if you have myxy in an area it is adviseable for anyone in that area with pet rabbits to have them vaccinated against it.

 

[moana]

Are mules and donkeys at risk, also very worried.

No

 

[Kaylum]

But on a side note I know a few pet rabbits who have caught it and died.