Tamsin
12-03-2008, 05:15 PM
Rabbits can be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Vaccinations stimulate the rabbit’s body to produce antibodies to particular diseases so that they become immune to (can't catch) them. Antibodies destroy viruses and bacteria entering the body. Different types of antibodies are needed to fight different illnesses. If a rabbit comes into contact with the disease after it has been vaccinated it has the antibodies already to fight the disease. An unvaccinated rabbit needs time to develop antibodies, during which the illness has time to develop and may be too advanced for the rabbit to fight successfully.
Both diseases have been reported in all areas of the UK. VHD kills quickly and often without outward signs of illness so it is often it is just written off as an unexplained death and not reported to vets. Urban areas are effected as well as rural.
It’s important that new owners are made aware of the importance of maintaining vaccines and making this a clause in the adoption contract is a good way of ensuring this.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a potentially lethal disease affecting rabbits caused by the myxoma virus of the pox family. It is common among the wild rabbit population in the UK, killing 90% of those contracting it.
It is spread by insects and contact with an infected rabbit. Fluids from an infected rabbit such as discharge from the eyes, nose or lesions on the skin contain the virus and can infect another rabbits through scratches, abrasions or contact with mucus membranes. Blood sucking insects including mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and fleas can all carry the disease. This means that a rabbit doesn't have to come into contact with other rabbits to contract the disease, the disease can be transmitted over distances and even indoor rabbits are at risk.
The first symptoms are generally discharge from the eyes and swelling around head, ears and sometimes genitals. Within a few days the eyes maybe swollen shut. The swelling can make eating, drinking and breathing difficult. Lumps or nodules may also develop. Secondary infections such as pastruella (snuffles) are common. Death can occur within a few days to several weeks. Those that recover may take weeks or even months to do so fully.
Prevention - Vaccination
Rabbits can be vaccinated against Myxomatosis from 6 weeks of age. Rabbits should not be vaccinated while pregnant or ill. After the first vaccination regular boosters are required either every 12 months or every 6 months, depending on the risk in your local area. Vaccination does not guarantee that a rabbit will not contract myxomatosis, there is still a small risk. But, vaccinated rabbits contracting myxomatosis also have a greater chance of recovery.
For the vaccination to be effective it needs to be given partly into the skin and partly under the skin. Ask your vet to confirm that this is the procedure they will follow when vaccinating your rabbit. If they query this, ask them to check with the vaccine manufacturers Intervet. If the vaccination is given incorrectly then the rabbit will not develop adequate immunity.
Prevention - Insects
As insects are the main way myxomatosis spreads controlling them is an important way to minimise the risk of infection. It is important other animals present such as cats and dogs are regularly treated against fleas. Hutches and other living accommodation can be cleaned with anti-mite disinfectants designed specifically for use on animal cages. Hanging sticky flypaper (out of reach of rabbits teeth) can help control fleas and flies. Electronic flytraps can be used inside. Its important not to use fly sprays or chemical traps around animals.
Treatment
Even with intensive veterinary treatment an unvaccinated rabbit contracting myxomatosis has a very poor prognosis and faces weeks of intensive nursing with an uncertain outcome. The prognosis is much better for a vaccinated rabbit unfortunate enough to contract the disease. Whilst there isn't an actual cure for Myxomatosis supportive treatment can allow the rabbit to fight the infection and stand a chance of survival, often the symptoms are less severe. Treatment may include frequent cleaning of the eyes and other discharge, syringe feeding (if the rabbit stops eating), fluids and anti-biotics to prevent secondary infections. Your vet should talk through treatment options and likely hood of survival with you and will advise you on the best course of action.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a more recent disease that Myxomatosis, it was first reported in the UK in only 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 3 months at room temperature. The incubation period is 1-3 days and death usually occurs 12-36 hours after the onset of fever.
Symptoms can include high fever, lethargy, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite and bleeding from the nose. In some cases (approx. 1 in 10) there are no visible symptoms. The rapid onset of the disease means that the rabbit may die within 24 hours of noticeable symptoms.
Prevention - Vaccination
Vaccination is very successful; it can be done from 12-14 weeks of age. The vaccination is also safe for pregnant rabbits. A booster needs to be given every 12 months to ensure continued protection. Vaccination against Myxomatosis must not be done within 2 weeks of vaccination against VHD.
Prevention - Other
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.
Preventing an Outbreak
Because of the number of new rabbits taken in and careered for in a small area, rescues are prime candidates for outbreaks of both diseases. Rabbits brought in should be checked for fleas and treated immediately if present. A quarantine period can also be applied if facilities are available. Ideally rabbits should be vaccinated on intake, if that’s not possible steps to prevent an outbreak are doubly important. If you also supply boarding insist boarders provide a proof of vaccination certificate from their vet.
Donated hutches and equipment should be cleaned with veterinary grade disinfectant such as Virkon before use. Enclosures should be disinfected between occupants and food dishes/bottles and other equipment shouldn’t be exchanged between housing without disinfecting. In the case of unexplained deaths – particularly more than one in a short period a post mortem should be carried out. The faster an outbreak is identified the more rabbits can be saved.
Both diseases have been reported in all areas of the UK. VHD kills quickly and often without outward signs of illness so it is often it is just written off as an unexplained death and not reported to vets. Urban areas are effected as well as rural.
It’s important that new owners are made aware of the importance of maintaining vaccines and making this a clause in the adoption contract is a good way of ensuring this.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a potentially lethal disease affecting rabbits caused by the myxoma virus of the pox family. It is common among the wild rabbit population in the UK, killing 90% of those contracting it.
It is spread by insects and contact with an infected rabbit. Fluids from an infected rabbit such as discharge from the eyes, nose or lesions on the skin contain the virus and can infect another rabbits through scratches, abrasions or contact with mucus membranes. Blood sucking insects including mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and fleas can all carry the disease. This means that a rabbit doesn't have to come into contact with other rabbits to contract the disease, the disease can be transmitted over distances and even indoor rabbits are at risk.
The first symptoms are generally discharge from the eyes and swelling around head, ears and sometimes genitals. Within a few days the eyes maybe swollen shut. The swelling can make eating, drinking and breathing difficult. Lumps or nodules may also develop. Secondary infections such as pastruella (snuffles) are common. Death can occur within a few days to several weeks. Those that recover may take weeks or even months to do so fully.
Prevention - Vaccination
Rabbits can be vaccinated against Myxomatosis from 6 weeks of age. Rabbits should not be vaccinated while pregnant or ill. After the first vaccination regular boosters are required either every 12 months or every 6 months, depending on the risk in your local area. Vaccination does not guarantee that a rabbit will not contract myxomatosis, there is still a small risk. But, vaccinated rabbits contracting myxomatosis also have a greater chance of recovery.
For the vaccination to be effective it needs to be given partly into the skin and partly under the skin. Ask your vet to confirm that this is the procedure they will follow when vaccinating your rabbit. If they query this, ask them to check with the vaccine manufacturers Intervet. If the vaccination is given incorrectly then the rabbit will not develop adequate immunity.
Prevention - Insects
As insects are the main way myxomatosis spreads controlling them is an important way to minimise the risk of infection. It is important other animals present such as cats and dogs are regularly treated against fleas. Hutches and other living accommodation can be cleaned with anti-mite disinfectants designed specifically for use on animal cages. Hanging sticky flypaper (out of reach of rabbits teeth) can help control fleas and flies. Electronic flytraps can be used inside. Its important not to use fly sprays or chemical traps around animals.
Treatment
Even with intensive veterinary treatment an unvaccinated rabbit contracting myxomatosis has a very poor prognosis and faces weeks of intensive nursing with an uncertain outcome. The prognosis is much better for a vaccinated rabbit unfortunate enough to contract the disease. Whilst there isn't an actual cure for Myxomatosis supportive treatment can allow the rabbit to fight the infection and stand a chance of survival, often the symptoms are less severe. Treatment may include frequent cleaning of the eyes and other discharge, syringe feeding (if the rabbit stops eating), fluids and anti-biotics to prevent secondary infections. Your vet should talk through treatment options and likely hood of survival with you and will advise you on the best course of action.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a more recent disease that Myxomatosis, it was first reported in the UK in only 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 3 months at room temperature. The incubation period is 1-3 days and death usually occurs 12-36 hours after the onset of fever.
Symptoms can include high fever, lethargy, collapse, convulsions, paralysis, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite and bleeding from the nose. In some cases (approx. 1 in 10) there are no visible symptoms. The rapid onset of the disease means that the rabbit may die within 24 hours of noticeable symptoms.
Prevention - Vaccination
Vaccination is very successful; it can be done from 12-14 weeks of age. The vaccination is also safe for pregnant rabbits. A booster needs to be given every 12 months to ensure continued protection. Vaccination against Myxomatosis must not be done within 2 weeks of vaccination against VHD.
Prevention - Other
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.
Preventing an Outbreak
Because of the number of new rabbits taken in and careered for in a small area, rescues are prime candidates for outbreaks of both diseases. Rabbits brought in should be checked for fleas and treated immediately if present. A quarantine period can also be applied if facilities are available. Ideally rabbits should be vaccinated on intake, if that’s not possible steps to prevent an outbreak are doubly important. If you also supply boarding insist boarders provide a proof of vaccination certificate from their vet.
Donated hutches and equipment should be cleaned with veterinary grade disinfectant such as Virkon before use. Enclosures should be disinfected between occupants and food dishes/bottles and other equipment shouldn’t be exchanged between housing without disinfecting. In the case of unexplained deaths – particularly more than one in a short period a post mortem should be carried out. The faster an outbreak is identified the more rabbits can be saved.