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Pets at home press release

Raven Rexs

Mama Doe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyxomatosismapfortheUK/

Due to some members of staff and a customer buying a rabbit from store infected with vhd2 they have now been backed into a corner to have to do a press release on the situation and customer services were trying to palm one lady off stating they would think that the parents of rabbits sold in the shops are vaccinated pffftttt yer right
 
Shocking, but I'm also not surprised. :(

They sold me (from the adoption area) a senior pair of does who'd been brought in. One had an untreated respiratory infection which I fought tooth and nail to get treatment for. In the end it was too late, and just after she finished the course she faded completely and we had her PTS by our local rabbit-savvy vet. :( The live animals there are really just seen as stock to be shifted. My heart is still broken for Iris and I'm so sad for all these people being sold sick animals, but getting P@H to care is sometimes more like bashing your head against a brick wall. I'm never setting foot in one again.
 
I heard that there are 5 confirmed RHD2 deaths now, from the Coventry Branch. Not sure if that is factual though.
 
My response from P@H

Hi Holly,

Thanks for your message.

Can I first say that, we share your concern about the RHD2 virus which is now present throughout the UK. We monitor our pets very carefully and have investigated a small number of isolated cases around the country. We have found no evidence of an outbreak among our rabbits or the rabbits at our breeders. However as a sensible precaution we have taken steps to ensure our rabbit breeders vaccinate all their breeding stock. We have also written to our rabbit customers with an update about RHD2 and advising them of appropriate action to keep their pet safe. We already provide vouchers for free vaccination against RHD1 and Myxomatosis with every rabbit sold or adopted from our stores. Following the identification of the new RHD2 strain, we updated the vouchers to provide advice to customers about RHD2 and the need to consult their vet for RHD2 vaccine.

We have our own team of pet experts, headed by an experienced vet who actively monitor all aspects of rabbit health and welfare and consult with independent veterinary specialists and rabbit welfare organisations to make sure that we provide the best care for our pets and the most up-to-date advice to our customers.

Thanks, Liz@PaH
 
I just received this email from PAH


What is RHD2?

RHD2 is a new variant of a virus that can cause sudden death in rabbits, often with no signs of illness. Due to vaccination, the original disease, RHD (RHD1), is now rarely seen. However in recent years the new variant, RHD2, has appeared and, unlike RHD1 which had a very high mortality rate, some rabbits infected with RHD2 may recover from the virus while others may show no signs of the disease at all. Sadly, some rabbits do die, often suddenly.

How can I tell if my rabbit has RHD2?

Signs of the infection may be vague. Your rabbit may show some weight loss, lethargy or jaundice (yellowing of the skin). However some rabbits may be infected and yet show no signs of being unwell at all. Tests of blood and faeces may confirm the infection in rabbits that are showing signs of illness, however for a rabbit that shows no obvious signs of being unwell, it may only be possible to confirm the presence of the virus after the rabbit has died.

How is the infection spread?

The virus can be spread directly through contact with an infected rabbit or indirectly through water bottles, food bowls etc. There is also a risk of RHD2 spreading to pet rabbits from outbreaks in wild rabbits. This is because the virus can be spread through the droppings of birds, foxes or flying insects that may have fed on the carcass of an infected wild rabbit. As the virus may be spread through faeces, which may soil shoes and boots, it's important to recognise that house rabbits may also be exposed if there is an outbreak in the wild rabbit population in your area.

Is there a cure?

Regrettably, as yet there is no cure. The disease can only be prevented through vaccination.

What should I do?

We recommend that you visit your vet who will be able to advise you on the vaccination requirements for your individual pet based on their local knowledge. Being registered with a vet also means they can contact you in the future for any follow up that may be advisable. There are a number of vaccines available that will protect your rabbit against common diseases. A combined vaccine against the original strain of RHD (RHD1) and Myxomatosis is widely available. Your vet can also provide a separate, single vaccine against RHD2 although this cannot be done at the same time as the combined vaccine - a period of two weeks in between the vaccinations is recommended. The RHD2 vaccine isn't as widely available as the combined vaccine as it has to be imported. Your vet will advise on the appropriate action for your pet.

What is Pets at Home doing?

We have taken steps to ensure our rabbit breeders vaccinate all their breeding stock. Our breeders are all carefully selected and audited to ensure they comply with our strict codes of conduct. We believe this is a sensible precaution to take.

We already provide vouchers for free vaccination against RHD1 and Myxomatosis with every rabbit sold or adopted from our stores. Following the identification of the new RHD2 strain, we updated the vouchers to provide advice to customers about RHD2 and the need to consult their vet for RHD2 vaccine.

We have our own team of pet experts, headed by an experienced vet who actively monitor all aspects of rabbit health and welfare and consult with independent veterinary Specialists and rabbit welfare organisations to make sure that we provide the best care for our pets and the most up-to-date advice to our customers. Nothing is more important to us that the welfare of pets and we will always take appropriate action to keep them healthy, happy and safe.

If you have any queries or concerns please speak to your vet.

Pets at Home
 
My response from P@H

Hi Holly,

Thanks for your message.

Can I first say that, we share your concern about the RHD2 virus which is now present throughout the UK. We monitor our pets very carefully and have investigated a small number of isolated cases around the country. We have found no evidence of an outbreak among our rabbits or the rabbits at our breeders. However as a sensible precaution we have taken steps to ensure our rabbit breeders vaccinate all their breeding stock. We have also written to our rabbit customers with an update about RHD2 and advising them of appropriate action to keep their pet safe. We already provide vouchers for free vaccination against RHD1 and Myxomatosis with every rabbit sold or adopted from our stores. Following the identification of the new RHD2 strain, we updated the vouchers to provide advice to customers about RHD2 and the need to consult their vet for RHD2 vaccine.

We have our own team of pet experts, headed by an experienced vet who actively monitor all aspects of rabbit health and welfare and consult with independent veterinary specialists and rabbit welfare organisations to make sure that we provide the best care for our pets and the most up-to-date advice to our customers.

Thanks, Liz@PaH


Thanks Roxy. I'm glad you wrote to them.

At least you got a reply, and they have taken it on board.

I can vouch for the fact that they are writing to all their customers about the VHD2 risk.

I wonder if they insist their breeders vax against RHD2??
 
A main thing that concerns me is this...

'*We have found no evidence of an outbreak among our rabbits or the rabbits at our breeders'

If there really has been confirmed cases in 3 of their stores then that's a bit of a lie :/

At least they have sent an email I guess...!
 
A main thing that concerns me is this...

'*We have found no evidence of an outbreak among our rabbits or the rabbits at our breeders'

If there really has been confirmed cases in 3 of their stores then that's a bit of a lie :/

At least they have sent an email I guess...!


Yes, I know. But you wouldn't believe the interaction I had with one of their staff at Head Offie a little while ago concerning RHD2 :roll:

I asked whether they minded incorrect info going out online and ahem ........ :shock:
 
I would believe it.
I rang them about 6 months ago to find out why their staff were telling me that you shouldn't spay female rabbits because they are more likely to die on the operating table than they are of uterine cancer... :shock:
I don't dislike P@H as much as some people but some of the advice they give it dubious!
 
I would believe it.
I rang them about 6 months ago to find out why their staff were telling me that you shouldn't spay female rabbits because they are more likely to die on the operating table than they are of uterine cancer... :shock:
I don't dislike P@H as much as some people but some of the advice they give it dubious!


Yes, I agree 100% :)
 
A main thing that concerns me is this...

'*We have found no evidence of an outbreak among our rabbits or the rabbits at our breeders'

If there really has been confirmed cases in 3 of their stores then that's a bit of a lie :/

At least they have sent an email I guess...!
Not necessarily, some of the animals come from people who for whatever reason don't want them/cant keep them so it could have come from an adoption animal that came in from a customer themselves
 
I've just received the same email message Jane posted. I adopted Jake from pah almost 2 years ago and it said I'm on the records as a rabbit owner. I believe that's good they're giving info on RHD 2 out.
 
Not necessarily, some of the animals come from people who for whatever reason don't want them/cant keep them so it could have come from an adoption animal that came in from a customer themselves

Yes this is true but their reply makes it sound like they have had no confirmed cases of rhd2 in their stores at all. I asked them outright and this is the response that I received. They seem to be skirting around the issue a little. Ultimately it doesn't really matter whether or not its an adoption rabbit or one of their own, the problem still remains really and they should be a little more honest about what's going on and come up with a better plan of action to try and prevent it from spreading.
 
I've just received the same email message Jane posted. I adopted Jake from pah almost 2 years ago and it said I'm on the records as a rabbit owner. I believe that's good they're giving info on RHD 2 out.


Yes I got that too, but it's standard send-around.

As RR says, they should be more pro-active about the risk of RHD2. From my conversations with their Head Office, that's most definitely not been the case :(
 
Yes I got that too, but it's standard send-around.

As RR says, they should be more pro-active about the risk of RHD2. From my conversations with their Head Office, that's most definitely not been the case :(

Oh no that's an awful shame :( I struggle with pah.. thinking it has good and bad sides.
 
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