Horn disease in rabbits: Is it a threat to humans?
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They've been called Frankenstein bunnies, zombie rabbits, and all sorts of other spooky nicknames.
It's not the plot of a horror movie—it's something called Shope papillomavirus (SPV), or 'horn disease' in rabbits. And naturally, people are wondering: Is this something humans need to worry about?
Horn disease isn't an actual set of antlers growing from a bunny's skull. What you're seeing are hard, keratinized warts caused by a virus called Shope papillomavirus, first discovered in the 1930s by Dr.
Richard Shope.
The virus triggers abnormal skin growths, which can get pretty big and look like black or brown horns or tentacles. While it looks alarming, these growths are usually harmless to the rabbit unless they get in the way of eating or moving.
How do rabbits catch it?
The virus spreads mainly through insect bites—think mosquitoes, ticks, and possibly fleas. That's why you tend to see more cases in warmer months when bugs are out in full force.
Wild cottontail rabbits are the most common hosts, but domestic rabbits can get it too if they're bitten by infected insects.
Can humans catch horn disease?
Short answer? No.
Shope papillomavirus is species-specific—meaning it only infects rabbits. It's not contagious to humans, dogs, cats, or other animals. So, no, you're not going to wake up with antlers if you pet a bunny.
That said, there's still a small but important safety note:
You should avoid handling sick or wild rabbits without protection.
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Not because of horn disease itself, but because wild animals can carry other illnesses (like tularemia or parasites) that can affect humans.
Think of it like seeing a raccoon in your backyard—it's probably fine from a distance, but not something you should pick up for a cuddle.
Is it dangerous for rabbits?
For the rabbit, it can be a mixed bag.
Mild cases: The growths are small, don't cause pain, and eventually fall off as the rabbit's immune system kicks in.
Severe cases: Large growths can block the mouth or eyes, making it hard to eat, drink, or see, leading to starvation or other health problems.
In domestic rabbits, a vet might surgically remove obstructive growths and provide supportive care. Wild rabbits usually have to tough it out on their own.
Did you know this virus is the unsung hero of cancer research ?
You're right, an unusual rabbit virus actually played a crucial role in cancer research history! The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV), which causes horn-like growths on rabbits, was one of the earliest animal models to show that viruses could trigger
.
These studies were foundational: they helped scientists realize that viral infections might also cause cancers in humans, changing how we think about tumors and oncology research.
Research on rabbit papillomavirus directly influenced later discoveries about human papillomavirus (HPV). Once scientists understood the viral-cancer link in animals, they began searching for similar connections in people. This quest eventually led to breakthroughs showing that HPV can cause cervical and other cancers in humans, which paved the way for creating life-saving HPV vaccines. So, while "horn disease" looks wild, it helped spark some of the most important advances in modern cancer science—a true example of how animal research can save human lives.
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Horn disease in rabbits: Is it a threat to humans?
If you've been scrolling through local news or social media lately, you might have stumbled across pictures of wild rabbits sporting… well… what look like horns, antlers, or even creepy tentacles sprouting from their heads. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They've been called Frankenstein bunnies, zombie rabbits, and all sorts of other spooky nicknames. It's not the plot of a horror movie—it's something called Shope papillomavirus (SPV), or 'horn disease' in rabbits. And naturally, people are wondering: Is this something humans need to worry about? Horn disease isn't an actual set of antlers growing from a bunny's skull. What you're seeing are hard, keratinized warts caused by a virus called Shope papillomavirus, first discovered in the 1930s by Dr. Richard Shope. The virus triggers abnormal skin growths, which can get pretty big and look like black or brown horns or tentacles. While it looks alarming, these growths are usually harmless to the rabbit unless they get in the way of eating or moving. How do rabbits catch it? The virus spreads mainly through insect bites—think mosquitoes, ticks, and possibly fleas. That's why you tend to see more cases in warmer months when bugs are out in full force. Wild cottontail rabbits are the most common hosts, but domestic rabbits can get it too if they're bitten by infected insects. Can humans catch horn disease? Short answer? No. Shope papillomavirus is species-specific—meaning it only infects rabbits. It's not contagious to humans, dogs, cats, or other animals. So, no, you're not going to wake up with antlers if you pet a bunny. That said, there's still a small but important safety note: You should avoid handling sick or wild rabbits without protection. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Not because of horn disease itself, but because wild animals can carry other illnesses (like tularemia or parasites) that can affect humans. Think of it like seeing a raccoon in your backyard—it's probably fine from a distance, but not something you should pick up for a cuddle. Is it dangerous for rabbits? For the rabbit, it can be a mixed bag. Mild cases: The growths are small, don't cause pain, and eventually fall off as the rabbit's immune system kicks in. Severe cases: Large growths can block the mouth or eyes, making it hard to eat, drink, or see, leading to starvation or other health problems. In domestic rabbits, a vet might surgically remove obstructive growths and provide supportive care. Wild rabbits usually have to tough it out on their own. Did you know this virus is the unsung hero of cancer research ? You're right, an unusual rabbit virus actually played a crucial role in cancer research history! The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV), which causes horn-like growths on rabbits, was one of the earliest animal models to show that viruses could trigger . These studies were foundational: they helped scientists realize that viral infections might also cause cancers in humans, changing how we think about tumors and oncology research. Research on rabbit papillomavirus directly influenced later discoveries about human papillomavirus (HPV). Once scientists understood the viral-cancer link in animals, they began searching for similar connections in people. This quest eventually led to breakthroughs showing that HPV can cause cervical and other cancers in humans, which paved the way for creating life-saving HPV vaccines. So, while "horn disease" looks wild, it helped spark some of the most important advances in modern cancer science—a true example of how animal research can save human lives.
