Why should I vaccinate my rabbit?

As a general rule, your rabbit can be vaccinated from seven weeks old with the combined Myxomatosis RHD Plus vaccine and immunity takes three weeks to develop. This vaccination gives protection against three preventable rabbit diseases - Myxomatosis, Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 1 (RHD1), and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 2 (RHD2).

Rabbits need to be vaccinated every year to keep up their immunity against these life threatening diseases.

What are the diseases your rabbit should be vaccinated against?

Myxomatosis is the most common rabbit disease we see. Myxomatosis is a highly infectious, fatal virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas, or any insect that bites an infected rabbit and then bites another. Myxomatosis kills many rabbits in the UK every year, and as it is vector transmitted (passed on by insects), all rabbits can be affected whether kept indoors or outdoors.

Signs of myxomatosis in rabbits include:

• Red swollen eyes

• Swollen genitals

• Conjunctivitis

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

An unvaccinated rabbit surviving a myxomatosis infection is very unusual. There is no specific treatment for the virus, and sadly, only supportive care such as fluids and antibiotics can be provided to help ease the pain and discomfort. As supportive care is so rarely successful in myxomatosis cases, euthanasia is usually recommended.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic disease RHD is extremely contagious once a rabbit has contracted the disease the outcome is most likely always fatal.

RHD causes bleeding to the internal organs of the rabbit, so if signs are seen these can include:

• A fever

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Difficulty breathing

• Blood stained discharge from the nose or mouth

• Seizures (fits)

• Acute death

The virus is very resistant and can remove in the environment for months. Rabbits can pass it on to other rabbits through touching noses, bedding, bowls, urine and faeces.

If you are unsure if your rabbit is vaccinated, please call us on 01665 252250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk to get your rabbit booked in.