Rabbit Vaccinations

Introduction

As a responsible rabbit owner you must ensure that your rabbit is vaccinated against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD). The risk is there regardless of where you live. Both outdoor rabbits and house rabbits are at risk. Vaccinations are required every year and have to be administered two weeks apart. In semi-rural/rural areas the risk is higher therefore the myxomatosis vaccination is required every six months.

To enable you to board your rabbit at Posh Bunny Retreat your rabbit must be vaccinated against myxomatosis and VHD and we need to see your up to date vaccination certificate

MYXOMATOSIS

What is Myxomatosis?

Myxomatosis can be spread by direct contact and by insects. Fluids from a infected rabbit such as discharge from the eyes, nose or lesions on the skin contain the virus and can infect other rabbits through scratches, abrasions or contact with mucus membranes.

Insects including mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and fleas can all carry the disease. Therefore, even if your rabbit does not come into contact with other rabbits it is still important to vaccinate. Insect carriers mean the disease can be transmitted over distances, therefore posing the risk to indoor rabbits.

Symptoms

First symptoms of myxomatosis tend to be discharge from the eyes and swelling around head and genital regions. They will become increasingly weak and go blind. The swelling can make eating, drinking and breathing difficult, finally resulting in death. Therefore prompt action is required, if your rabbit is showing signs of these symptoms. So you will need to get your rabbit to the vets immediately. Your vet will advise you of the best course of action and the likelyhood of survival.

Treatment is unlikely to be successful with an unvaccinated rabbit and most vets will advise euthanasia as soon as the diagnosis is made because the outlook for an unvaccinated rabbit is bleak. It will avoid further unnecessary suffering for your rabbit and may be the kindest action to take. This is a terrible disease, so please don't put your rabbit at risk, get them vaccinated.

Prevention - Vaccination

Rabbits can be vaccinated against Myxomatosis from the age of 6 weeks. Rabbits should not be vaccinated while pregnant or ill. The myxomatosis vaccination is given either every 12 months or every 6 months, depending on the risk in your local area.

The vaccination cannot guarantee that a rabbit will not contract myxomatosis, therefore vaccinated rabbits occasionally catch the disease. However, in vaccinated rabbits the disease is usually milder and treatment is usually successful, whereas unvaccinated rabbits almost always die.

Vaccinations generally cost £15, but does vary between veterinary practices. A small cost to keep your much loved rabbit safe.

Prevention - Control of Insects/Source of Hay/Wild Rabbits

As insects are the main way myxomatosis spreads controlling them is an important way to minimise the risk of infection. It is important to treat other household pets such as cats and dogs for fleas. If you have an outbreak of fleas it will also be necessary to treat the house and carpets. Hutches and other living accommodation can be cleaned with anti-mite disinfectants designed specifically for use on animal cages. Hanging sticky fly paper can help control fleas and flies, although do keep out of reach of your rabbit. Electronic fly traps can also be used. It Is important not to use fly sprays around your rabbit or other pets. Consult your vet for additional advice.

Other ways to minimise risk of infection; buy hay and straw from farms free of myxomatosis, feed dust extracted hay or kiln dried grass, and try to stop wild rabbits from getting into your garden.

VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (VHD)

What is Viral Haemorrhagic Disease?

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) was first reported in the UK in 1992. It is spread through direct contact between rabbits and also through contaminated surfaces such as bedding, hutches and clothing. This means both indoor and outdoor rabbits are at risk.

It can survive for months at room temperature. The incubation period is 1-3 days and death usually occurs 12-36 hours after the onset of fever.

It is terrifyingly easy to bring home the disease to your pets, for example; hay may have been in contact with infected wild rabbits as grass growing in the field, birds or insects may transport the virus on their feet or intheir droppings to your rabbit grazing on the lawn, the virus may be blown in the wind, you might bring the virus home on your footwear or car wheels from infected wild rabbit droppings and you could bring the virus home on your hands or clothes.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include high fever, lethargic, collapsing, convulsions, paralysis, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite and bleeding from the nose. and back passage. In some cases there are no visible symptoms. The rapidness of the disease means that the rabbit may die within 24 hours of noticeable symptoms. Often owners think their rabbit has died of fright, a heart attack or in summer, heatstroke. Most cases are never diagnosed and VHD is usually only suspected when several rabbits die in quick succession.

Prevention - Vaccination

Vaccination is very successful. Your rabbit can be protected from the age of 10 - 12 weeks old. The vaccination is also safe for pregnant rabbits. The vaccination needs to be repeated every 12 months to ensure continued protection.

Vaccination against Myxomatosis must not be done within 2 weeks of vaccination against VHD.

Vaccinations generally cost £16, but does vary between veterinary practices. Again, a small cost to keep your rabbit safe.

Prevention - Other

Don't handle rabbits in petshops or other similar environments and wash your hands thoroughly after visiting environments that contain other rabbits. Buy bedding and food from reputable sources. Take precautions to minimise insects coming into contact with your rabbits (see Myxomatosis prevention).

Treatment

There is no cure and VHD disease is almost always fatal, most rabbits die within days. Surviving rabbits are infectious and can spread the disease. Therefore, please don't put your rabbit at risk of this terrible disease and protect them with the vaccination.