common diseases

Question
We got a rabbit this weekend ,I'm not sure about
anything that a rabbit can give my children.Is their anything ? What is the best cage if I'm
keeping the rabbit in the house?

Answer
Dear Trisha,

The only thing I know of in the way of diseases that a rabbit can give a child, is ringworm. You would probably notice a round, bald patch in the rabbit's fur, with a sore in the middle of the bald skin.
For an inside rabbit, I would recommend a wire cage with a tray in the bottom for the droppings. This is more sanitary for a rabbit than a cage where the rabbit sits in the shavings. It might, however, be a bit more messy, so you might want to put a plastic garbage bag or something under the cage in case of leakage. The only times I have kept rabbits in the house have been when they were new baby rabbits, not yet ready to go outside (or at least I was not ready for them to go outside!), or sick or injured rabbits. So generally when there have been rabbits in the house, it was a temporary/emergency situation, and I was not so concerned about the look of the cage. If you are planning to keep the rabbit indoors all the time, you might want to look into the cage situation more, as I do not think I am much help to you here. I have read a magazine called, simply, RABBITS. It is written from the point of view of people who's rabbits live indoors, and it might be of help to you.

God Bless
AEJ