Rabbits?

lauraburns · #1 22-09-10, 06:27 PM

Do any of the raw feeders feed rabbits to their dogs? We took the dogs for a walk last night and Ozzie caught a rabbit. I took the rabbit off him to take home, but noticed that it had myxomatosis. I put it back in the hedge for the foxes or whatever to have. My brother (who feeds his dogs on raw) said it would have been okay to let him eat it. What would you have done? Any opinions gratefully received!

Stuart · #2 22-09-10, 06:32 PM

I will feed my dogs on rabbit if I can get it,.. but strangly enough I cant get hold of it often

I would research it,.. but I would think that your friend is correct, for a rabbit, dieing of Myxomatsis is a bit like dieing of a very bad cold,.. very infectious, but not something that would effect the meat.

...but please,..I am not sure, so dont take that as fact, I may be wrong

GypsyGSD · #3 22-09-10, 06:35 PM

Dont give it my dogs Laura but when I was young my mother made a cracking rabbit stew lol x

h.bradshaw · #4 22-09-10, 06:36 PM

must admit, I prefer to cuddle rabbits.
I would definately not take the chance of feeding with an infected animal. if you have any doubts, just don't go there

lauraburns · #5 22-09-10, 06:39 PM

Yeah, I wasn't sure so I left it for the wildlife! It is a shame though, as we have rabbits galore round us, but the majority all seem to be infected with myxi! At one point last night we walked into a field and at least 20 rabbits went running off in all directions! The poor dogs were so confused they didn't know which one to chase!

mandie · #6 22-09-10, 06:43 PM

Have fed mine a few times Rabbot, but its always form the butcher..

GypsyGSD · #7 22-09-10, 06:43 PM

There was a bad out break near you a few years ago but it seemed to die down but I noticed it was back last time I was up builth one of the worse things man has done imo x

h.bradshaw · #8 22-09-10, 06:56 PM

horrible cruel nasty disease, poor creatures.
man has a lot to answer for

DelsMum · #9 22-09-10, 07:13 PM

I wish I could get hold of a regular supply of rabbit as its virtually fat free and del has to watch his waist line!

Poor Myxi rabbits :-( Myxi is only contagious to rabbits so it wont do the dogs any harm. If Jerry Lee catches any Del usually pinches it off him and eats it on our way round the woods. Kind of like a picnic I guess!

DelsMum · #10 22-09-10, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h.bradshaw

horrible cruel nasty disease, poor creatures.
man has a lot to answer for

I totally agree, its so distressing for them. I actually don't mind if the dogs catch and kill them as it puts them out of their misery very quickly and saves me trying to find something to bash them on the head with which I find really upsetting to have to do.