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Thread: Diseased rabbit?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Aggressive Perfector's Avatar

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    Diseased rabbit?

    I've always heard you're only supposed to eat wild rabbit until after the third frost of the season. I've never really been into rabbit hunting, so I know jack about it. But I was at my buddy's house plinkin' and we wound up shooting rabbits, because they carry fleas and they get in his house and on his pets. I thought it was kind of a waste, so I skinned and cleaned them like a squirrel with intent to eat them, until I found white spots on some of their innards and black spots on the meat. I just didn't trust it. Is this some sort of parasite or virus that they carry?
    "Never take pity on a blind man. He may not be able to see, but he saves a fortune by getting the butt ugly hookers".

  2. #2
    Senior Member Full Otto's Avatar

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    About the only help I got is from searching on line.

    http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/liv...its-liver.html
    It's coccidiosis. there is hepatic (liver), or intestinal types.
    It will slow the growth of the rabbit and if bad enough will kill it. It is a parasite that is propigated when the rabbit eats its own waste.
    it is treated by disenfecting and a course of Sulmet which is a sulfa drug used for chickens.
    You can eat the meat, but i would not eat the liver itself.

    http://askville.amazon.com/safe-eat-...uestId=4175808
    It's not all that common (around 1%), and if it's cooked properly it kills the bacteria. Tularemia generally occurs in humans not from eating the rabbit but from skinning and butchering it without gloves.

    http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/pow...ts-summer.html
    Yeah, it ain't the bunnies so much as the parasites. Since most insects sleep out the winter (either hibernating or as eggs), the risk is vastly reduced.
    Can't add much to what troy2000 posted. Summer's bug season, so anything that's gonna spread via insect vector is more likely to spread then.
    For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dr. Gonzo GED's Avatar

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    They have worms in the warm months.

    Keep the pelts.

    Use the meat for pig bait?

  4. #4
    Senior Member Aggressive Perfector's Avatar

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    Thanks for the info Otto.

    The fur wasn't in such great shape after I cleaned the rabbits. Most of them tore a time or two, as I just kinda tore them off the carcass by hand rather than cut neatly. I don't know about using the meat for pig bait... Grain and corn usually work well for that... Though I found that out trying to bait deer. I've never seen hogs eating meat. But I've heard quite a few cyotes lately.
    "Never take pity on a blind man. He may not be able to see, but he saves a fortune by getting the butt ugly hookers".

  5. #5
    Senior Member Dr. Gonzo GED's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by Aggressive Perfector View Post
    I've never seen hogs eating meat.
    They're opportunistic and they like strong smelling stuff. Let ol' Buggs liquefy in a bag for a while and all kinds of critters will take an interest in him.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Aggressive Perfector's Avatar

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    I'll attempt it and see what comes around. Other than cyotes. Thanks for the tip.
    "Never take pity on a blind man. He may not be able to see, but he saves a fortune by getting the butt ugly hookers".

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