Rabbit Liver and White Spots

[NJClark7]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the expertise I find on this forum and was wondering if I could get some insight from those with more experience than I.

I was out rabbit hunting the other day in Yakima County and got one. Butchered it recently and noticed some white spots on the liver. Anybody recognize this? Is it a sign of tape worm or rabbit fever? Is the carcass safe for consumption? I'm deathly allergic to rabbit fur so my wife, bless her heart, skinned it for me. I would hate to throw out arguably the tastiest small game meat around. Thank you for all your help!

[jackelope]

It’s coccidiosis. Meat is safe to eat, just don’t eat the liver.

[jackelope]

Super common in rabbits. 

[NJClark7]

Whew! Thank you so much for the feedback! Will throw the liver out for the yotes. Time for some hasenpfeffer!

[HillHound]

We ate lots of rabbits when I was a kid But never heard of anyone allergic to rabbit fur. Just like regular dander allergies like would be associated with dog and cat hair? Or something worse? My brothers eyes will start itching and he will start sneezing when he’s around cats but I don’t think any of the wild animals we’ve ever killed have bugged him at all. Should be some good eating.

[NJClark7]

I am very allergic to cats as well. Still hate to throw out a fine fur so I've been preserving the hides with salt and with my hands and faced covered and am hoping that either the oils and dander in the fur will wear off or I can wash this somehow to keep it for future use. Rabbits are the first wild game to give me fits. Eyes swell up red, sneezing and breathing becomes asthmatic. Deer, elk, porcupine, none of these mammals have an effect on me. This is my first season rabbit hunting and I found a spot that holds them on federal land. Hoping I can give my dog some more action and extend the season til March!

[Goshawk]

!!GLOVES!!

[northwesthunter84]

It is also a symptom of Tularemia in rabbits. That can get really nasty in humans. I always wear gloves and be super careful. I also grew up not chancing it with them.

[Threewolves]

In the snowshoes hares in Alaska it is Tularemia. As Jackalope said the thoroughly cooked meat is ok to eat, just don't eat the livers. I used to hunt the heck out of snowshoes, super fun, I think maybe one in twenty of one in 30 would have it, not a big issue.  I was cool coming home with ten rabbits when the population was high. My wife would use those brown and serve bags with spices, it would keep the meat moist and tender. We even made rabbit jerky.  You could usually get one or two plus a couple of grouse. 

[jackelope]

Pretty sure tularemia is a form of coccidiosis. I’d have to ask my 4-H kid to be sure

[Threewolves]

Additional information. The livers will have white spots through out the winter.

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=disease.internal3

[DOUBLELUNG]

Pretty sure tularemia is a form of coccidiosis. I’d have to ask my 4-H kid to be sure

Tularemia is a bacteria, coccidia is a protozoan.  Anyone who handles rabbits or rodents (especially beaver and muskrat) and develops a fever within a day or two should see a doctor for an antibiotic prescription.  It can be contracted across mucus membranes, it doesn't need to be eaten to infect.  Coccidia is acquired from ingestion, and the primary symptom is severe diarrhea - the course can be shortened with medication.  If one person has coccidiosis other household members can also be infected even if they didn't eat the infected meat, so sanitary precautions are necessary to prevent transmittal.

[Chesterdog]

I'm so glad I read this thread! My Labrador has had health issues over the last year, which 3 vets and I have been scratching our heads to solve.  My neighborhood in Burien is by 3 tree point and is completely overrun with rabbits.  Rabbit fever or tularemia describes all of his symptoms including the pneumonia that he developed and explains why everything got better with antibiotics, which the vet didn't expect.  This may be an answer to a problem that's been heavy on my mind.  Excitedly emailing my vet right now!!

[ctwiggs1]

Pretty sure that's a sign of tularemia and it's usually recommended that you discard the meat. 

I'm not as rabbit savvy as jackelope but I could swear every single tularemia speech I've ever heard started off with "beware of white spots on rabbit livers".

[jackelope]

White spots on rabbit livers is definitely a sign of cocci. Could be tularemia too. I’m not even remotely wild rabbit savvy. I know a little about domestic rabbits, and they’re two different species so ... I don’t think tularemia is a thing with domestics. Coccidiosis is a big deal and happens from time to time.  Coccidiosis is also a big deal in poultry.

[northwesthunter84]

Love when discussions inadvertently help someone out. Hope the pup stays healthy.