Mxyomatosis questions

I've just had to have my rabbit put to sleep because he'd contracted myxomatosis. We took him in to the vets a few days ago as he'd developed flystrike and has been taking antibiotics. This morning his breath was short and wheezy, so we took him in where the vet said it was myxi and sadly he was put to sleep.

Now I'm worried I made the wrong decision in putting him to sleep. She said the first symptoms are lumps around the face, foaming around the mouth, and that the reason he hadn't developed these symptoms was because of the antibiotics he was already on for the flystrike. His only myxi symptom was the breathing, and apparently his mouth had started to swell. He is 5 years old and as such was advised he would unlikely make it and only suffer for a further two weeks. I was torn about what to do as until the flystrike, he had never been to the vet being healthy and very happy. It only occured to me when the vet commented on his age that he is indeed an older rabbit, as otherwise he's continued to stay lively through the years. I guess I'm looking for some opinions, experience and reassurance.

Another question I have with regards to the myxi is that yesterday I was in a pet shop stroking their rabbits through the bars. Is there any chance I could've endangered them? Should I contact the pet shop or am I being overcautious?

Thanks for any help and advice.

I am very sorry to hear about your Rabbit
Sadly Unvaccinated Rabbits seldom survive Myxomatosis, which is mainly spread by biting insects.

Here is so information about Myxomatosis and why vaccinating is so important
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/understanding_myxo_feb06.htm

If you have any other Rabbits I would urge you to get them Vaccinated ASAP.

The symptoms you describe regarding the Bun you have lost do sound like Myxi

When I do get other rabbits they will definitely be vaccinated, without a doubt. I didn't know there was a vaccine until the vet informed me today. And obviously there's never been any cause for concern up until this past week. Thanks for your reply.

you made the right desicion for you I have been in your shoes and had 2 of mine PTS after being given the vaccination wrong. As Jane said it is through biting insects that have bitten other infected rabbits

Thanks, but reading posts on this forum makes me really question what I've done. I wish I'd given him a chance to get better but given that he was already on antibiotics for flystrike (the vet said it would be the same antibiotic?), but was still worsening, it seemed the best thing to do. I can't shake this idea of how healthy he was before though, and not really knowing enough about myxi beforehand to ask the right questions (i.e. what strain he had). It's such a hard decision to make, especially when you're in shock.

He was apparently recovering from the flystrike, too, and the vet said the myxi was unrelated.

Does anyone have any advice re: the rabbits in the pet shop? I'm really worried I've put them in danger.

I am very sorry for your loss. You have found the right place now to come for good advice if you are thinking of getting any more bunnies.

As mentioned, myxi is passed by biting insects so I would not think that you stroking another rabbit in the pet shop would infect it.

From what you are saying, it sounds like your bunny had myxi and you probably did do the right thing. There are very few bunnies that pull through myxi if they have not had a vaccination. If they have a vaccination they can still get myxi but it is usually a milder form and then it is not 100% certain they will recover.

Please don't torture yourself. Take care.

dhb said:

Thanks, but reading posts on this forum makes me really question what I've done. I wish I'd given him a chance to get better but given that he was already on antibiotics for flystrike (the vet said it would be the same antibiotic?), but was still worsening, it seemed the best thing to do. I can't shake this idea of how healthy he was before though, and not really knowing enough about myxi beforehand to ask the right questions (i.e. what strain he had). It's such a hard decision to make, especially when you're in shock.

He was apparently recovering from the flystrike, too, and the vet said the myxi was unrelated.

Does anyone have any advice re: the rabbits in the pet shop? I'm really worried I've put them in danger.

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Sometimes they dont get better they just get worse, i watched my baby AMber get worse over a period of 2 weeks she became so bad no matter what i did for her nothing work and it was so upsetting to watch she couldnt breathe out of her nose so i had to PTS her mother then became ill a few days before she died i couldnt bear to watch her get worse like Amber did. it can be very upsetting to watch.

dhb said:

Thanks, but reading posts on this forum makes me really question what I've done. I wish I'd given him a chance to get better but given that he was already on antibiotics for flystrike (the vet said it would be the same antibiotic?), but was still worsening, it seemed the best thing to do. I can't shake this idea of how healthy he was before though, and not really knowing enough about myxi beforehand to ask the right questions (i.e. what strain he had). It's such a hard decision to make, especially when you're in shock.

He was apparently recovering from the flystrike, too, and the vet said the myxi was unrelated.

Does anyone have any advice re: the rabbits in the pet shop? I'm really worried I've put them in danger.

Click to expand...

You did the right thing. An unvaccinated rabbit has no chance of recovering from Myxi, you saved him from a lot of pain and suffering by having him pts quickly. Some of what you have read on the forum about rabbits with myxi getting treatment are probably rabbits that were already vaccinated.

Unfortunately vaccinated rabbits can still get myxi but it is a different form of myxi with less severe symptoms and with the right treatment the bunny has a much better chance of survival.

When you decide to get new bunnies make sure they are vaccinated every 6 months for myxi and every year for VHD.