More Myxi

[Jaypot]

I have just had a mail telling me that a gorgeous bun that I had for a couple of nights while his new mum made arrangements to get here for him has now got full blown myxie - he is vaccinated - this is getting worse and worse - how many more are going to suffer? The vaccine is obviously not protecting the buns against this strain. The weird thing is, the farmers down South where my freind lives have been saying how strange it has been as they have seen no wild buns with myxie.

This has got to be a new strain - I am soooo scared for my buns now - they all had their vaccinations and our vets have said that they have not had any myxie buns in or any wild ones bought in to be pts humanely. They have said that this is strange as they usually get some and have had them by now.

Do any of you think that the wild buns are maybe dying underground or due to them not being vaccinated are more protected against this strain? It is all very worrying and my heart goes out to all those who have myxie buns :cry:

[Kiwibunny]

That is scary. I believe myx is a really nasty disease. We have never had it in New Zealand, although for years farmers have wanted it introduced. When they didn't get their own way with myx, some farmers illegally introduced calicivirus (rabbit haemorrhagic disease), a particularly nasty strain, different I think to the euro strain. Someone somehow got hold of a liver from a diseased rabbit (smuggled it in from Australia, if I remember rightly), blended it up in their kitchen blender (unbelievable but true) and used the resulting infected mess to bait and infect local rabbits. Many rabbits have died since and although the outbreak spread far initially, it seems to have died down. I'm not sure of the current RCD status, but the virus is out there. I'm told there is no calicivirus present in my area at the moment, but I don't trust viruses and with so many wild rabbits around, I don't let my rabbit out to graze, which is sad, cos they love to run on the grass and be outside. I guess the best we can do to protect our buns from disease is keep them away from other rabbits and exercise long strict quarantines when we acquire new rabbits. Do you all normally allow your rabbits outside to graze?

[beck]

don't trust viruses and with so many wild rabbits around, I don't let my rabbit out to graze, which is sad, cos they love to run on the grass and be outside. I guess the best we can do to protect our buns from disease is keep them away from other rabbits and exercise long strict quarantines when we acquire new rabbits. Do you all normally allow your rabbits outside to graze?

Hi, Kiwi bunny, I let my rabbit out in her run, She has been vaccinated. My previous bunny was not ever vaccinated and he went outside and was fine.
but these stories are very scary.
Are these vaccinated buns getting myxi pulling through? or are the vaccinations giving no protection at all?

[Adele]

Oh Dear, I can imagine your fears and concerns re this possible new myxomatosis strain.
But there is no evidence that a new strain has emerged as yet, and we do not wish to spread panic on mass unnecessarily until all the full facts are known
Rabbits can still get the usual full blown myxomatosis strain despite being vaccinated as for example, their immune system may not take the vaccine up properly for some reason (this does not mean their is a fault with the vaccine itself), or if bunnies are only vaccinated once yearly perhaps their cover is not so good.
Two of our Sanctuary bunnies had myxomatosis several years ago despite being vaccinated, but they developed a less virulent form, and both receovered with a lot of TLC.
Vaccinations still offer the best cover to date, and even if a new Myxo. strain is emerging, I would rather give my bunnies some protection against this deadly disease than none.

Do the RWA say that a new Strain is developing in their first alert notes? I have a quick check later. :?
Okay folks just reporting back...I cannot find any information that a new Myxo. strain is developing, but the RWA did say as I said above, that VACCINATED BUNNIES CAN STILL DEVELOP QUITE A SEVERE FORM OF MYXOMATOSIS, BUT AT LEAST THEY STAND SOME CHANCE OF SURVIVAL WHEREAS UNVACCINATED BUNNIES CHANCES ARE VERY SLIM.

[Jaypot]

I know that no vaccine is 100% as it is with any vaccine for any type of animal - this is just so very weird how it has happened.
The bun I wrote about last night is very poorly - he was fine all day - my freind is with them 24/7 - he had full blown myxi within a couple of hours. This morning she gave breakfast to all her other buns and checked them all over - at 7.30am one little man was fine - by 9.30am he has full blown myxi.
My freind has kept rabbits for years and years and is the most knowledgabe person that I know about them - she has never, ever seen anything like this where the myxi is like this. She says to look at the two buns you would think that they have had myxi for a few days - it is that bad.
Both buns came from different parts of the country and have been vaccinated by two entirely different vets at different times. Her vet is in contact with Intervet and is extremely worried about this.
I have never heard of this happening so fast either and find it very worrying. The cases of vaccinated buns getting myxi seems to be rising at the moment and I think that the RWA should investigate this along with Intervet.
I don't want to scaremonger, I truly don't but I am worried about the buns getting it.

[Tamsin]

I have heard several reports of vaccinated buns getting it this year. Sue from Bracknell rescue is collating details, her email is bracknellrabbitrescue@yahoo.co.uk

The RWA also want to know about reports of myxy so they can warn about high problem areas.

My first bun got myxy it really is nasty, I hope your friends buns pull through.

Tam

[Adele]

[quote="Jaypot"
My freind has kept rabbits for years and years and is the most knowledgabe person that I know about them - she has never, ever seen anything like this where the myxi is like this. She says to look at the two buns you would think that they have had myxi for a few days - it is that bad.(QUOTE JAY)

I have kept bunnies for over 30 years now, and if what you are saying about the speed and virulence of the myxomatosis is accurate (and I have absolutely no reason to doubt that it is :D ) then I too am concerned, and as long as people are aware that is the best we can do, until more is known from the Veterinary investigations.
************************************************** ******
The cases of vaccinated buns getting myxi seems to be rising at the moment and I think that the RWA should investigate this along with Intervet.(QUOTE JAY)

I agree, but we also have to take into account that it is peak time for myxomatosis now and there is always a rapid rise in numbers getting the disease end of Summer/ early Autumn. The weather and type of Summer plays a part in how readily the disease is spread too.
************************************************** ***********
I don't want to scaremonger, I truly don't but I am worried about the buns getting it.
I know Jay, it is a great concern, and with 26 bunnies myself I totally understand. We just have to rely upon the Veterinarians to do the best for our bunnies if problems arise, and vaccinate every bunny we can.
It is frustrating not having all the information to hand, but I think we must wait and see what transpires. :?

[Lazylops]

This year is showing a higher number of wild rabbit populations being seen with myxie. The virus, in itself effects different rabbits in different ways, with some wild rabbits having a natural tolerance to the disease. Part of the knock on effects of development, is that wild populations are being pushed into pockets, or areas of land if you like, and have not got the dispersal opportunities that they once had, and what with farmers now removing hedgerows to make their fields large and more profitable, the 'wildlife corridors' once used by these mammals to move around are disappearing, leading to less dispersal leading to larger populations in smaller areas, and so the virus spreads much more virulently, and so we see more of it in certain areas of the country where their are high populations of people, like the South.

The virus may change, and adapt, unfortunatley, I don't believe our vaccination has changed with it.

annie

[anon101]

I've heard of several bun's this year who have got Mxyi and have been vaccinated.

I agree with Jay that is does seem weird so many buns are getting it when vaccinated. I've never heard of anything like this before.

I can understand that some buns arent going to accept the vaccine or be as protected as others, but everywhere I go somebody knows a Rabbit that has Mxyi, vaccinated or not.

Does anybody know how much protection the vaccine's offer % wise?

Louise

[Adele]

Louise I believe(from what I remember reading somewhere) the vaccines give approx. 98% cover..but if the Myxo, strain is changing then this % will obviously drop.

[anon101]

Thanks Adele!

So if thats correct that means 2 Rabbits in every hundred could get Mxyi.



Louise

[Adele]

Yes 2 in every 100 is about right Louise, so if we take the entire bunny population of the Uk (3 million domestic at a guess)
so for you mathematicians out there...how many bunnies is it who will then develop Myxo :?: ..oh boy! I was hopeless at maths at school!!
Well it is a lot of poorly bunnies anyway :cry: ..but a lot more bunnies who are vaccinated and would otherwise get myxo stay well :D

100 goes into 3 million 30000 times to get you started :lol: :lol:

and then is it...30000 x 2 bunnies :?: oh boy I am getting lost here.....
60000 bunnies ..surely that cannot be right :shock: :

or is it 30000 divided by 2 :idea: ...15,ooo :idea:
More like it :?:....come on, I want the proper Answer please..pretty please :lol:

Right for the real clever clogs, I now want you to work out an estimate of how many bunny owner there are in the Uk and work the percentage of the population who own bunnies, and the chance of you knowing someone who 1) has a bunny 2) percentage of those in relation to those with Myxo :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Tamsin]

Yep if the % is right, it also means that if your rabbit is expossed to myxy its 50 times less likely to get it than if it was unvaccinated.

Here is the product datasheet - http://www.intervet.co.uk/Products_Public/Nobivac_Myxo/090_Product_Datasheet.asp

There are several suggestions on it why the vaccine could fail to work


A good immune response is reliant on the reaction of an immunogenic agent and a fully competent immune system. Immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen will be reduced by poor storage or inappropriate administration. Immuno-competence of the animal may be compromised by a variety of factors including poor health, nutritional status, genetic factors, concurrent drug therapy and stress.

Tam

[anon101]

OK!!! (Before I take any credit for this I will say now my OH worked it out for me!!! :lol: )

If the Domestic Rabbit population was 3 million and the Mxyi vaccine protection level was 98% that would mean 60,000 buns could still get Mxyi providing these 3 million buns where vaccinated!

Louise

[Tamsin]

I think you might be muddling up your sums Adele. We (or at leat I) don't know the exposure rate so it would be impossible to predict how many buns would get it. The 98% is saying that 2 in one hundred vaccinated buns that are expossed get it. Not all vaccinted bunnies are expossed though :)

What we can say is: if a non-vaccinated rabbit is exposed to myxy it stands a 98% chance of not making it, if a vaccinated bun is exposed it stands a 98% of not even catching it.

Tam

[Adele]

I think you might be muddling up your sums Adele. We (or at leat I) don't know the exposure rate so it would be impossible to predict how many buns would get it. The 98% is saying that 2 in one hundred vaccinated buns that are expossed get it. Not all vaccinted bunnies are expossed though.

Tam

Hey Tamsin, I realise this, I was only posing a little tea time brain puzzler for the Forum Members, I know other variables are involved..I was just waiting to see who brought up that fact, and it was YOU :D :lol: :lol: ..you have spoilt my fun now :roll:

[Adele]

I have just read an article from InterVet re the Vaccine content, and from what I understand the vaccine is not based on myxo itself but is another type of live Virus that is similar.
This means (putting on my bio chemisty and biology cap here..) that the vaccine should more readily adapt to diff. strains of Myxo(and in fact InterVet say there are many strains of Myxo. already in existance for which the vaccine is 98% effective) so I think it should be fairly effective against a new emerging strain of myxo.

I think all the Factors Tamsin has stated previously must play a big part in vaccine failure, and the environmental issues that Annie stated earlier.
I feel we just keep our minds open to all possibilities at this stage until the results from the Virus research are known.
:D

[Tamsin]

Do I get a prize? :D

The vaccination rate is supposedly 1 in 12. So following on from your/louises sums....

3,000,000/12 = 250,000 vaccinated buns, so approx. 5000 vaccinated buns will get myxy presuming all were exposed.

Tam

[Adele]

Do I get a prize? :D

Tam

Ooh I think you fully deserve a prize Tamsin :D :D
What about a Free vaccination against Myxomatosis for YOU, you never know myxo, could adapt and emerge as a Human Virus next, so best be prepared :lol: ....where do you want the needle then..scruff of neck and in your ear lobes :?: :shock: :lol: ..I have red swollen eyes from looking at the Computer screen too much, perhaps all this talk of disease is contageous :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Tamsin]

where do you want the needle then..scruff of neck and in your ear lobes

eeeep!!! I think you can keep the prize :lol: :lol:

[Alex]

Do I get a prize? :D

Tam

Ooh I think you fully deserve a prize Tamsin :D :D
What about a Free vaccination against Myxomatosis for YOU, you never know myxo, could adapt and emerge as a Human Virus next, so best be prepared :lol: ....where do you want the needle then..scruff of neck and in your ear lobes :?: :shock: :lol: ..I have red swollen eyes from looking at the Computer screen too much, perhaps all this talk of disease is contageous :lol: :lol: :lol:

I think you deserve a prize for being the least diplomatic diplomat.
Myxomatosis is not in the least bit funny, for you to make light of it's symptoms shows you up as a total moron.
I too have red swollen eyes, because two of my vaccinated rabbits, woke up this morning, with red swollen eyes, and one of them wont be waking up tomorrow . You were right about one thing though, the virus is CONTAGIOUS, unlike your sense of humour.

[bunnyhuggger]

I think that was uncalled for Alex. I can fully sympathise with you, myxomatosis or any other life threatening condition is no laughing matter, however if you had read all the other posts Adele and Tamsin have written, you would have understood that they are more compassionate than most others you might meet outside this forum. I know their posts were not intended to upset anyone, and if you took offense then we are all sorry that you are upset and of course you are sensitive about this matter.

[Tamsin]

I apologise if you found our banter offensive. Myxy is indeed a terrible disease, I lost one of my own bunnies to it and Adele has experience with it too. Its a horrible thing to have to go through with them. That we don't keep things serious all the time doesn't mean we care any less.

If there is anything we can do to support you, you only need to ask. There are several people here that are also dealing with myxy or have done in the past and I'm sure they will be happy to share what help/advise they can.

Best wishes,
Tamsin

[Alex]

I think that was uncalled for Alex. I can fully sympathise with you, myxomatosis or any other life threatening condition is no laughing matter, however if you had read all the other posts Adele and Tamsin have written, you would have understood that they are more compassionate than most others you might meet outside this forum. I know their posts were not intended to upset anyone, and if you took offense then we are all sorry that you are upset and of course you are sensitive about this matter.
Lynda, with the greatest respect, your sympathy will not make my rabbits well again, so please don't patronise me. I am no more sensitive about *this matter* than any other caring rabbit keeper.

I had read the entire thread, several times, and was saddened to see it had turned into a primary school maths lesson, until a very ill fitting biochemistry/biology cap was donned. At that point it plummeted to the level of a kindergarten science lesson. If you are going to give advice, at least have a basic grasp of the way viruses mutate, and at least have a basic understanding of the mechanics of attenuated vaccines, because otherwise people gain the impression that you know more than you actually do.

[Adele]

Hi Alex, I am very sorry if my postings offended you in any way, but it was banter between Tamsin and I, and not making fun of any actual situation with a poorly bunny.
I am very sorry to hear that your own bunnies are unwell and our thoughts are with you are this difficult time. I too have been through the experience of beloved bunnies with this ghastly disease, so I can fully empathise with your situation.

My words in the postings do not intend to hurt or offend , but I personally find your tone of words and insults a deliberate attempt to inflict hurt.
You have only just joined RU and not made any Introduction to yourself, and the only two postings you have made have been to cause insult and upset.
You have overlooked the work I do on a daily basis to help bunnies in a Sanctuary, give help and advice as far as I am able to people on this Forum, both publically out in the Forum and behind the scenes, and I spent hours yesterday researching about Mxyo, to try and give advice to Jay and offer her my love and support for her concerns, and another Forum Member that is very sadly facing an extremely difficult time with her bunny with Myxomatosis.
I take my work very seriously and do my very best, to bring all the elements of compassion, love, empathy and humour into the Forum.

Digesting Information on nasties such as myxo, is difficult at the best of times, and if we can add some humour and get a serious message across at the same time, why is that so offensive.
I did not draw attention to a bunny with myxo. and poke fun at it, but this is exactly what you have done to me, and I am a Human with a big heart and feelings.
I have not run a Forum before, and Tamsin and I have done everything in our capabilities to ensure things run smoothly and people can happily post what is in their hearts....it is a pity that you cannot allow us to learn how to run a Forum, and allow us to make a few mistakes along the way, as it is the only way we learn.
I would like to ask the Other Forum Members who have frequented RU for the last few weeks how they feel about the work we have done to date, after all this is the peoples Forum, and If the majority feel that I am offensive , uncompassionate and rude, then I will readily resign.

Ps, I do not remember stating that Viruses do not mutate, just that the basis of the myxo. vaccine is not from the Myxo. Virus itself directly, so may be more readily able to adapt with differing strains of Myxo.
This fact is not proved though, and I was just offering up ideas for discussion.
Alex does not know of my individual works, my life philosophies, or academic qualifications, so I am confused as to why you feel able to comment about me on such a personal level?.
This Forum is for general discussion and not for a discussion about me as an indivdiual :?

[Lazylops]

I think that I speak for the majority of people on this forum when I say what a wonderful job Adele and Tamsin have done, and that everyone enjoys being a part of such a supportive and knowledgeable group of rabbit people.

Myxomatosis is a shocking and distressing disease that many rabbit owners may or may not come across at some point in their lives, directly or indirectly. But, to get through these things we have to remain optimistic and positive, as the previous postings by Adele and Tamsin were demonstrating. There are people on this forum going through a tough time at the moment, and we must be supportive and provide as much information and help as we as a forum can.

Unfriendly and hurtful remarks are not necessary.

[beck]

Adele I think you are doing a great job, I really enjoy reading the banter between members it gives me the impression of a close friendly community that genuinely cares for each other and all their rabbits.

As you say sometimes you need to- not make light of, but lighten a subject that would otherwise make us all depressed and feel like theres nothing we can do, (hope that made sence)and at the same time you are answering questions that I for one want to know or teaching me things I didn't know. You have alot more experiance and knowledge about rabbits than I do and I like to hear your opinions and advice from first hand experiance.
I feel confident that if I had a problem/querie with my bunnies wether serious or not that I could come to this forum for lots of advice and different ideas and I know I would be treated with respect and compassion aswell as some laughs along the way.

I did notice from earlier reading this thread that Alex has just joined and has not introduced himself, perhaps if he says hi and tells us about himself and his bunnies we can all get to know each other before making assumptions.

[Lynn]

Adele, I would not like to see a resignation from yourself :( This is the first forum I have joined, and although I probably don't post as much as others, I read everything, and it is easy to see that you have a great compassion for rabbits and their welfare, and the work that you do with the buns in your sanctuary cannot be understated.

Unfortunately, it is very easy to read something and misinterpret the intentions or feelings behind these words. If I had just joined the forum, and this topic was one of the first I had read, then who knows I might have interpreted it differently. However, I also believe that if this had had been the case I could have challenged this without resorting to insults.

Alex, I am truly sorry to read about your bunnies. I hope you don't take this as 'patronising', and I know it will not make your rabbits well - it's just a heart felt statement from someone who loves buns.

[bunnytales]

:( I think Lazylops and Beck have answered both sensitively and well on this - I'm so sorry you feel you have been hurt Alex but everyone who knows both Adele and Tamsin will support the marvelous work which they do both on this Forum and behind the scenes in many areas of welfare - much of which goes unseen and unrecognised - this is the same for many of the other brilliant folk on this Forum who are involved in Rescues and Bunny Welfare.

I know Adele very well and she would NEVER imply anything to hurt anyone both bunny or human life (not sure which order she would put that in :?:

Both Adele and Tamsin have a wealth of experience between them and all the novice bunny owners (like me but I'm learning all the time) would be devastated without their support and the many other good folk on here.

This was just good fun banter between two pals - neither would intend to hurt anyone and many of the posts on here in which folks are clearly distressed by poorly bunnies are always handled in a caring manner giving the utmost support to bunny owners in need of help in difficult times.

Recently I was devastated by the loss of a bunny - Adele picked me up with her caring ways and her gentle humour which really helped me through.

I hope you can see through this Alex for the innocent banter that was intended and enjoy the Bunny Mad Folk on the Forum.

My thoughts are with you during this difficult time with your bunnies also.

[Tamsin]

We are usually quite laid back on the forum but personal attacks are not something we can ignore. The Diplomats have discussed this issue and our official response follows:

********************

We understand you are under a lot of strain right now however neither that or a joke you found offensive excuses insulting members of RU. Your first two posts on the forum included calling one of the owners a "total moron" and then following that up by infering those that weren't equally offended as you were not caring rabbit owners.

The "primary school maths lesson" as you put it may have been over simplified for your personal knowledge level but our members vary in age and education. Breaking things down simply, for example that one in 50 vaccniated rabbits exposed will get the disease can help people understand the benefits of vaccination and also that it isn't totally effective. Its important people realise that they should still take other precautions and also that vaccinating is still important.

If you disagree with something someone has said or the information that was given we don't have a problem with you expressing that but you should do so without turning it into an insult.

Before you make any further posts please familarise yourself with our charter - http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=35 particularly the parts pertaining to not making personal attacks, using abusive language or insulting other members. In accordence with our rules you have the option of making a public apology or being banned from making further posts.

Should you decide to apologise and join us you will find the forum is full of caring rabbit owners willing to offer support and advice, if not then we wish you the best of luck with your rabbits regardless.

[shantel]

I just wanted to say that it seems Adeles post was completely read the wrong way. I know Adele would NEVER joke about how the virus affects bunnies, the lightheartedness was with the calculations and between Adele and Tamsin. Nobody was joking about rabbits with the desease! Without knowing Adele it's very unfair to make any comments about her as a person, and to call somebody a moron without even knowing them is really offensive :( As others have said, nobody meant to cause upset - and I too am sorry to hear about your bunnies being unwell. I hope they get better soon.

[shazlew]

i can see alex's point here no matter what everyone says i think even if comment was made as harmless banter it is rather sad!
i cannot stand jokes be them harmless or otherwise about things which are out of our control! myxi is a terrible thing which cannot and i doubt never will be cured or treated as with cancer aids and other such nastys so any jokes concerning such are very untasteful!
off the box now!

[Adele]

i cannot stand jokes be them harmless or otherwise about things which are out of our control! myxi is a terrible thing which cannot and i doubt never will be cured or treated as with cancer aids and other such nastys so any jokes concerning such are very untasteful!
off the box now!
I have apologised for any offence caused but I was not making banter about the effects of Myxo. more about the prevention of myxo hence the vaccination pun, and in reference to the Maths quiz I was posing.
I do not feel I deserved to have my character pulled apart and personally attacked.
Alex could have easily have emailed us to state the concerns and we would have amended the posting if we thought offence may be taken.

[Marlene]

I am very much a novice in the bunny world but have seen a lot of myxy in the area I live. I have been following this thread and cringed at the attack on Adele by Alex. I am so sorry that he misinterpreted Adele's banter as being uncaring. Nothing could be further from the truth as can be seen by her postings. On a personal note, Adele came to my rescue when I was trying to rear a wild orphan bunny with lots of advice and encouragement and was there for me when my poor Hunny Bunny died. She does not deserve this and I can only imagine how she feels as she is a very caring and sensitive person. Adele, my thoughts and love are with you.

Lynda, who answered my cry for help was not being patronising in offering her sympathy. She is a very kind and caring person as you can see on her web site. She describes the sorrow of losing her beloved bunnies so eloquently. Both Lynda and Adele privately offered me support and the comfort I had from many caring friends was uplifting.

Adele and Tamsin are doing a wonderful job here and many friends have been made.

[Adele]

Thank you all so very much for your lovely, kind and deeply thoughtful letters of support.
As one of the Worlds Biggest rabbit lovers I have been deeply hurt to have found myself in this position, from what from all purposes was a harmless piece of banter between friends. My posting was not directed to anyone except Tamsin, so I do not understand why it has been personalised elsewhere. :?
I have been very touched, by all your positive statements and comments about RU, and Tamsin and I hope you will continue to enjoy the Forum, and forgive my slightly warped sense of humour that creeps in from time to time.

[sunshine]

Can I just add how saddened I was to read the totally uncalled for and unjust critism of Adele and Tamsin. People who have taken the time and trouble to read all the posts on this forum will know just how caring and compassionate both of them are. They have a wealth of experience of rabbit welfare and I for one would be lost without the knowledge I have gained from this forum.

Also Lynda did not deserve to be described as patronising. She was merely trying to say that Adele's post was not meant to be offensive in any manner. She is also someone with a wealth of knowledge and thinks of rabbit welfare first and foremostly.

Thanks for a wonderful forum and keep up the good work.

[bunnytales]

:? I think everyone is one the same page here - and we really all do sent Jaypots our best wishes in the recovery of her bunnies which must be a sad and hard time to deal with - our thoughts are with you.

Adele & Tamsin - we would not be without you both and the likes of the wonderful Bunnyhugger, Tracy, Lazylops, Lizzie and many others too numerous to mention on this site who all all go out on a limb to help bunnies in their time of need and more - Now come on Folks! we all know how difficult it can be emotionally to cope with the endless challenges that Bunnys give us - if we cannot share some common banter and a giggle without fear of prosecution then we might just as well give up and go home!!

The folks on this Forum are beyond that - I've seen what can be achived - we do make a difference - O.K - small steps but its in the right direction - Lets not knock each other eh!! - the bunnies need us - lets put our energy and emotion where its needed.
:!: :!:

[bunnytales]

:? OK guy and gals - by the time everyone reads this - hopefully we will have all slept on this and come up with some more positive vibes for moving foward and thinking of bunny welfare and not dwelling on the happenings of the past 24 hours which were much misunderstood and I know everyone has good vibes and good wishes for Jaypots = just one thought for you all before we retire to put things into perspective:

And I'm so soooooooooory I know Its late folks but I just needed to share this with you:-

Just the other day - I posted a note about a funny story about Adele and her early wake up call - This was just normal friendly good banter - just as Tams and Adele have engaged in during the past couple of days - only difference is - I mentioned that Will Young was Gay ! - Adele's with her usual GSOH counter punched to me to mention that she like Status Quo and at least "they were not" ! - this I KNOW was not any inferance on anyones part to suggest anything other than - I'm having an internet chat - on a Forum - lets have some fun and communicate and Bat and Ball together - Thats all it was - I didn't thing anything of it and neither did other forum folks viewing the story - but had someone else been reading the post the same day who had perhaps had bad or other experiences then it would be easy to take offence - as indeed it is within any area if you look close enough!!

Thats it folks - class over - I hope you get my drift here - but I couldn't sleep easy tonight without trying to explain how easily misinterpretation can happen - believe me - its happened to me a couple of times with emails I have sent - I wouldn't hurt a fly (literally) but on Forums and emails - interpretation can be a real problem but I guess what I wanted to leave you all with - is that my Forum conversation was exactly that same as Tams but just a different topic - but both could have been soooooo easily misunderstood.

Lets hope we can all be careful with each other out there - were all at the end of of a phone line at the end of the day - Lets communicate if we have a problem and chat for the greater good! - BUNNNIESSSSSSSSSS

To All bunny maties on here - soooooooooory if I've bored the pants (am I allowed to say that!!) off here but I feel better now its off my chest (so to speak) and there's not much else to come off that part of my body!! - ooops - sorry if that offended anyone with small or large - you know whats!!! - there's another bunnytale eh!!

Sorry folks - I'm off now!!! - Stacking ZZZZZZZZZZZ's

[Lizzie]

I haven't read all the postings here thoroughly as, to be perfectly honest, I do not have a great deal of time to spare and, at the risk of sounding like a cracked record, I will tell you why I do not. One is that my precious cocker spaniel, Harriet, is on homeopathic medication in an effort to allay the effects of a pernicious osteosarcoma which necessitated her having her left hind leg amputated in April. The medication takes two hours every single evening of every single day of every single week at the moment and it is quite obviously time consuming - I love this little dog very, very deeply and I worry about her constantly BUT, thankfully, I have the ability to alleviate the situation by calling her Hoppy and Tripod and Peggy: when the situation is dire and, believe me, in the last few months I have seen some very dark and desperate moments, I think you have to try to make light of it, otherwise you sink into the abyss. It is the nature of human nature, it is a kind of "safety valve" and is a basic instinct. There have been times when tears have been rolling down my cheeks in anguish and someone/something has made me laugh through it.

However, having said this, I cannot see that Adele was making light of any bunny with myxomatosis, she was making light of statistics, mathematical theory and her purported inability to make calculations. There is no way that any of us here would make light of a bunny with myxi or we would not be here in the first place so, please, let's close this discussion. That we are ALL concerned about it goes without saying. One of my bunnies, Charlie, has some mysterious respiratory problem which is being treated homeopathically at the moment and does not seem to be improving rapidlyand he is a constant worry as he has lost a quarter of his body weight and I never know from day to day how his appetite is going to be.

I do not think that there is any need to make personal attacks on ANY forum member: it would be quite legitimate to say that you had been hurt by someone's posting but to call anyone a "moron" in these circumstances is, frankly, unacceptable. Personally, I would prefer to concentrate my energies on being positive, having a bit of fun with some nice like-minded people in order to try not to think of my concerns over my animals for a short while and to exchange ideas and learn something. Let's go forward with a positive, not a negative attitude and treat each other with the mutual respect that we all deserve. :)

[Lazylops]

HEAR, HEAR Lizzie... :thumb:

[anon101]

I just want to say that I feel Tam and Adele do a great job with this forum.

It must be incrediably hard work when you have got an open forum with breeder's, rescuer's etc mixing together.

Alex, Im sure Adele and Tam didn't mean any harm. As they have mentioned it was banter between themselves, nothing more.

Louise

[Adele]

[quote=ellepotter]I just want to say that I feel Tam and Adele do a great job with this forum.

Oh you are so sweet Louise, thank you very much for your kind and reassuring words.
************************************************** **********
It must be incrediably hard work when you have got an open forum with breeder's, rescuer's etc mixing together.(Quote Louise)

It is difficult to retain a good balance and prevent WW3 from breaking out, but I must say that I am highly impressed by how all you lovely Forum Members have helped make it work. :thumb:
Tamsin and I cannot take all the credit, we just try and guide things along a bit. :D

[rooster]

As a new rabbit owner (only had roo a year), i think this forum is great, so far i have laughed, cried(buckets). I have not made that many postings but come on the forum every day to see whats been happening. I find the advice offered here and they way it is offered great, time is taken to explain things to those off us who as i have said are newbies as far as caring for our rabbits go.
I think personal attacks on people are totally unnesssary as there are other ways of getting your point across.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ( i need all the help i can get)

[taylor v 109]

As an added precation you could use an insect repelant on your rabits during the danger months june till october. The only time i have had a case of mixi it was introduced to one cage only by mossys. Also treat your rabbits for fleas if they come near to cats or dogs as these can carry the virus too. These two precautions should help a lot especially if you dont live near a wild rabbit population. One other think to check a lot of people have water butts or ponds in their gardens these are a breeding ground for mossys beware. val

Rooster thank you for your lovely words of support above, we are glad that you feel you and your bunnies are benefitting from information discussed in the Forum. :D

[Adele]

Dear Val, thank you very much for your myxo. advice, you are right that the culprit often least considered that brings in Myxo. is the Mosquito.
We believe our Myxo.outbreak three years ago was as a direct result of having a water butt in the garden and the garden was a haven for mosquitos.
We removed the water Butts and have not had a problem since, despite living next door to a wild bunny population.
I sometimes think too much empathise is placed upon reliance upon vaccines and it is the basic and regular defleaing and cutting down numbers of mosquitos that can lessen the risk immensely.
I would like to suggest that the explosion with Myxomatosis this Year could be as a result of the wet weather and ideal conditions for mosquitos.
The outbreak we had previously was also following a wet Summer. and mosquitos were rampant.


Thank you for drawing this different and very relevant perspective to our attention :D :D

[rabshan]

Hi alex...so sorry to hear of your sad loss, I don,t know if this will be any help to you, but several years ago a friend of mine who ran a rescue (her garden backed open fields with lots of wild bunns) had repeated cases of myxi, all her bunnies were vaccinated every 6 months, still she lost them, her vet confirmed a new strain that had been imported from europe, it went straight to the lungs, pneumonia set in & that was the end. A few survived, one kept going for 3 months then she went in one morning & he had gone, she said his throat was full of nodules & she didn,t know how he had hung on that long as he must have been in agony. she has now given up her rescue work as she couldn,t cope with this & wasn,t prepared to risk taking on any more bunns in case they also succumbed, as to humans contracting this awful virus...well according to my old vet (he was a bio-chemist) it,s a possibility, so something to think about hope this will help you, take care & god bless you & your remaining bunnies love from shan & the furry people.

[Denny]

Also treat your rabbits for fleas if they come near to cats or dogs as these can carry the virus too. These two precautions should help a lot especially if you dont live near a wild rabbit population. One other think to check a lot of people have water butts or ponds in their gardens these are a breeding ground for mossys beware.

These are very good points. My cat/cats are treated for fleas ever six months and wormed every six months whether they like it or not and my house is also sprayed every 3 months as a matter of precaution, my family also do their dogs. Preventative treatment is a lot easier at the end of the day but not everybody does this. I had never stopped to think of my pond though so thanks for pointing this out.

I am no expert but in a rabbit book that i have it stated that, myxi and vhd vacinations should be administered just beneath the skin and not completeley under the skin, is this true? Is it worth investigating among those buns who have been vacinated and contracted myxi as to how this vacine was administered? If this is true, does this mean the protection is very low if given wrongly?

I am not far from Sutton Park and unfortunately, there are very few wild buns left :cry: we did have a notice put in our local paper about the park and what to do if people found a rabbit with myxi. Along with other areas it has hit the park very badly this year