Danger for our long eared friends

-Facts about Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease-

With the warmer times of the year approaching us in a few weeks time (hopefully), there will be more rabbits being kept entirely or partially outside and freshly picked dandelion etc. will be on the menu.

Most of us have seen the classical signs of Myxomatosis, especially in wild rabbits, showing nasal and ocular discharge, swelling and redness around these orifices and blindness, lethargy and starvation as the ultimate outcome. All rabbits are susceptible to this viral disease with a mortality rate of nearly 100%.

The RHD or Rabbit Haemorrhagic or Viral Haemorrhagic Disease, is another viral disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. This virus attacks various organ systems and causes internal bleeding. The RHD can spread over the body extremely fast so that in some cases there are no symptoms observed and the animal is just found dead. In case of a slower run of the disease, lack of interest in food and lethargy might be noticed as well as blood stains around the mouth, nose and/or anus. Should you suspect your rabbit might have died from RHD, a post mortem can be carried out to confirm this. This could be quite important, as the virus can survive in the environment for months and could by sticking to e.g. feeding bowls and infect other rabbits as well.

In 2014 there was the first confirmed case of RHD2 in the UK, a new strain of the virus with a lower mortality- and morbidity rate, and a slower onset of the symptoms.

As there is no cure for either disease, we recommend vaccinating your rabbit. This can be done from the age of 7 weeks onwards (immunity takes another three weeks to fully protect your furry friend) and should last for a year. All rabbits previously vaccinated will receive the new/updated vaccine at the time of their next booster (Nobivac Myxo RHD Plus)

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need any additional information or to book your rabbit's vaccine.