Wild rabbits spotted with strange 'horn-like' growths sprouting from their heads

In the last few days specific wild rabbits have been seen in the U S with horn-like growths spurting from their heads that are caused by a viral infection according to experts Rabbit papillomas are growths on the skin caused by the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus Colorado Parks and Wildlife CPW says on its website as certain people in the state have announced the strange sightings It looks like it was black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth Fort Collins Colorado resident Susan Mansfield who saw one of the rabbits reported News I thought he would die off during the winter but he didn t He came back a second year and it grew NUCLEAR PLANT ON COASTAL WATERS SHUT DOWN OVER MASSIVE JELLYFISH SWARMCPW says the infection is typified by black nodules on the skin usually the head adding Growths can sometimes become elongated taking on a horn like appearance The department says the growths don t harm the rabbits unless they interfere with the animal s ability to eat and drink RARE TICK-BORNE VIRUS CAUSING NEUROLOGICAL CLUES DIAGNOSED IN NORTHEASTERN STATE The majority infected cottontails can survive the viral infection after which the growths will go away CPW says For this reason CPW does not recommend euthanizing rabbits with papillomas unless they are interfering with the rabbit s ability to eat and drink The department says the virus is specific to rabbits and can t be transmitted to other species but it could infect domestic rabbits especially if rabbits are housed outdoors where they may contact wild rabbits or biting insects In domestic rabbits the malady is more severe than in wild rabbits and should be treated by a veterinarian CPW also advises people to avoid touching infected rabbits according to News CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThere is no known cure for the virus