What Is Shope Papilloma Virus in Rabbits?

Shope papilloma virus—also known as cottontail rabbit papilloma virus or CRPV—is a virus that causes wart-like bumps to grow on a rabbit’s head, neck, or belly.

While it usually affects wild rabbits, our pet bunnies can catch it too.

The main culprits for spreading it? Mosquitoes and ticks. These pesky bugs will bite an infected rabbit and then pass the virus to others when they bite again. That’s why summer and fall—when bugs are at their busiest—are the riskiest times.

To prevent the risk, always keep your bunny inside. If you do take them out for some outdoor play, keep sessions brief and supervised.

They can be. Some rabbit warts go away on their own. But others can turn into something more serious—like cancer. That’s why it’s super important to get any suspicious bumps checked out by your vet.

They might start small, but these warts can grow into rough, dark lumps, sometimes even looking like little horns. You’ll usually see them on the head, ears, neck, or shoulders. Sometimes they show up on feet or the belly, too, but this isn’t as common.

Bottom line: If your bunny has a new bump, don’t wait. Let your vet take a look.

Rabbit CRPV spreads mostly through mosquito and tick bites. Once a bug bites an infected rabbit, it can carry the virus to the next bunny it snacks on. There’s also a chance it spreads through direct contact between rabbits, but bug bites are the main concern.

Your vet may recommend removing the growth and sending it off to a lab to see what it is. Even if it seems harmless, it’s better to be safe—especially since some warts can become cancerous.

If your rabbit needs surgery, make sure their recovery space is cozy. Use soft rabbit bedding (skip the wood shavings) and keep an eye on the incision for signs of swelling or discharge.

And to stop them from scratching at the stitches, utilize a recovery cone (cat cone options tend to fit a rabbit’s neck easier than dog ones):

Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions, including giving meds and going to follow-up appointments. These visits help catch anything new before it becomes a bigger issue.

Nope! CRPV only affects rabbits. Humans, dogs, cats, and other pets are safe. But if you have more than one bunny, keep them separated until the infected one has fully healed.

Catching Shope papilloma virus early—and keeping those pesky bugs away—can go a long way in helping your rabbit stay healthy, comfy, and happy.

Keeping insects away from your bunny is your best line of defense. This includes:

• Only taking your bunny outside for short periods of supervised time and avoiding dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use screens and fans to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Take your bunny to the vet for regular checkups to spot bites or bumps early.

What is Shope papilloma virus?

It’s a virus that causes wart-like growths on rabbits. Spread by bugs like mosquitoes and ticks, it can sometimes lead to cancer.

Are rabbit warts contagious?

Yes—but only to other rabbits. It spreads mostly through bug bites.

Can people or other pets catch rabbit CPRV?

Nope. This virus is only a concern for rabbits.

What do I do if I see a bump on my rabbit?

Call your vet. Don’t wait to see if it goes away, early action is the best way to protect your bunny.