New Variant RVHD- Known as 'RVHD2' please ‘Watch’ thread for any updates and see new posts

[InspectorMorse]

Thank you for your detailed description. It sounds very stressful (for both rabbits and humans). I am having 35 rabbits vaccinated on 27 April and I am dreading it but at least I am forewarned as I have now read several accounts not dissimilar to yours. I think I will take a couple of days' annual leave after the vaccination day to be available for the poor bunnies, quite a few seniors amongst then!

I would want to be sure I had a supply of Meloxicam and a thermometer on stand-by. Hope all goes well, I remember the stress of having multiple Rabbits vaccinated at the same time.

 

[cottonees]

I'm not sure if you have seen this but there is a Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/rhvd2024/

It mentions a lot of side effects not listed by the manufacturer, a lot of rabbits have lost mobility so I don't think it was a one off thing with my rabbit. Kind of worrying really

 

[InspectorMorse]

RVHD2 -HV - April 2025 Update

RVHD2 HV FAQ April 2025

A licenced vaccine now protects against the RVHD2 highly virulent strain, you should be able to discuss it with your vet.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

 

[cottonees]

It seems many happy, healthy bunnies on a clean health check have had ill effects (loss of movement, wobbly, off sorts) before owner auto assumptions are if there are underlying issues. I did think mine was related and that he was hiding something the vets had missed even with 2 health checks in the same week.


I think the best way to overcome this is a full checkup before the vaccine is administered.

I rang my vet after but they weren't aware of other symptoms not listed. Hopefully more owners report the side effects and they can be transparent

 

[InspectorMorse]

I would take the last point with a pinch of salt here as it seems many happy, healthy bunnies on a clean health check have had ill effects (loss of movement, wobbly, off sorts) before you auto assume there's an underlying illness and panic.


Still see a vet if you're concerned though!!

I think the best way to overcome this is a full checkup before the vaccine is administered

That should be done as a matter of routine.

Dr Richard Saunders is a highly qualified Exotics Vet, so personally I would not suggest anyone takes statements from him ‘with a pinch of salt’

 

[cottonees]

It seemed the worrier symptoms were aimed at rabbits in ill health but did I miss the part where all the healthy rabbits had these really negative symptoms not being mentioned in the side effects? I didn't mean to offend with the qualified exotic vet, just frustrating healthy rabbits are getting these bad effects and it's not being spoken of.

I sent my batch number off anyway and sent an email to the manufacturer (no reply at all) I hope they become more transparent with the other unlisted symptoms rabbits are displaying

I don't know about other vets but my current was not a qualified exotics just one that had got the vaccine in and they were unaware of any of this. This isn't a dig at my vet at all she did the absolute best but had no clue on what was happening as the side effects my rabbit experienced was not accessible so she did not know how to treat him other than reccomend i used a pain relief

I'll remove that part out.

 

[Bunny Buddy]

I just wanted to update here. I had my 32 family members vaccinated with Yorvac on Sunday. Two were a bit out of sorts yesterday.

Elias is on Metacam anyway for bladder issues so I upped his dose slightly to what I view as "stasis dose" instead of his minimal background dose. He picked up during the day. He is bright this morning.

Gilbert was a bit quiet but not withdrawn. He was not as enthusiastic as normal for food but did eat. When it got to 9.00pm he was looking sorry for himself and not wanting to eat. I gave him Metacam and an hour later he was back to slightly reluctantly eating, but eating. This morning he looks brighter and not as enthusiastic as normal but eating. Gilbert has a background issue of blocked tear ducts/weepy eyes and they have been worse in the last 24 hours.

Nothing else to note so far but if there are any skin reactions etc, I will report back. Most of them are just presenting as they normally do.

 

[joey&boo]

I just wanted to update here. I had my 32 family members vaccinated with Yorvac on Sunday. Two were a bit out of sorts yesterday.

Elias is on Metacam anyway for bladder issues so I upped his dose slightly to what I view as "stasis dose" instead of his minimal background dose. He picked up during the day. He is bright this morning.

Gilbert was a bit quiet but not withdrawn. He was not as enthusiastic as normal for food but did eat. When it got to 9.00pm he was looking sorry for himself and not wanting to eat. I gave him Metacam and an hour later he was back to slightly reluctantly eating, but eating. This morning he looks brighter and not as enthusiastic as normal but eating. Gilbert has a background issue of blocked tear ducts/weepy eyes and they have been worse in the last 24 hours.

Nothing else to note so far but if there are any skin reactions etc, I will report back. Most of them are just presenting as they normally do.

I'd take that as a win, everything crossed for no skin issues. I hope you have a sense of relief & a big well done

 

[Bunny Buddy]

I'd take that as a win, everything crossed for no skin issues. I hope you have a sense of relief & a big well done

Thanks. Yes, definitely relieved. I took a few days off work just in case there were issues. Yesterday I was stressed all day, constantly offering forage to check that they were okay! Today I have been more relaxed, only really Gilbert to keep an eye on. He's not quite there but not massively off either.

 

[InspectorMorse]

This is a screenshot, you will need to copy and paste the links into a search engine to access the relevant information

 

[Miss Binky Bunny]

Thanks for sharing that useful information (well, useful in as much as I understand it). I *think* it reiterates what Richard Saunders said (in the Q&A) ie Nobivac manufacturer's stand is that we don't need another vaccine as Yurvac won't cover anything that Nobivac doesn't already cover ...

, just wanted to know if there’s been any new updates about the above from Richard Saunders, as the RWAF have put out another statement recommending to get the Yurvac? + I’ve just seen reports on here about the Yurvac affecting some rabbits’ mobility.

Both mine are up to date with the triple vacc & if the statement from Richard Saunders still stands, I’d rather wait for more evidence the Yurvac is needed on top of the triple. My 12 yo girl already has slight signs of lessened mobility + I’ve health issues, so better to avoid additional stress & risk.

 

[InspectorMorse]

, just wanted to know if there’s been any new updates about the above from Richard Saunders, as the RWAF have put out another statement recommending to get the Yurvac? + I’ve just seen reports on here about the Yurvac affecting some rabbits’ mobility.

Both mine are up to date with the triple vacc & if the statement from Richard Saunders still stands, I’d rather wait for more evidence the Yurvac is needed on top of the triple. My 12 yo girl already has slight signs of lessened mobility + I’ve health issues, so better to avoid additional stress & risk.

Tragically Bunny Buddy passed away in May

To answer your question this is the latest information from the RWAF, Richard Saunders is the Chief Veterinary Advisor. It is being recommended that Yurvac is given aswell as the Nobivac Myxo RHD Plus

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/vaccination-updates/

 

[Miss Binky Bunny]

Thanks Morse & so sorry about Bunny Buddy

I wonder if there’ll be another update this summer, the last was almost 6 months ago now.

I need to scour Facebook to see if there’s anyone offering the new vacc smi2 The Tiny Vet clinic. My vet just quoted more than £200 for both buns with the consult fees

 

[InspectorMorse]

I am no longer able to log on to this forum much these days. I feel a degree of responsibility for this thread and the information contained within it.

You may be aware that some Veterinary surgeries are still not stocking Yurvac or advising that it is needed aswell as the Nobivac Myxo RHD Plus

This is very disappointing as Rabbits are dying due to RHD2 and as these Rabbits were up to date with their Nobivac RHD Plus it is very likely that the cause of death was RHD2HV.

I will not be able to keep this thread up to date any more. For the best up to date advice about Rabbit Vaccinations I would recommend referring to the RWAF website

Home

Creating better tomorrows for all pet rabbits The UK’s largest organisation for rabbit lovers!

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

Any updates about the RHD situation will always be posted on the RWAF Facebook page too

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund | Kington

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, Kington. 42,151 likes · 97 talking about this. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund is the largest organisation devoted to improving rabbit welfare

www.facebook.com

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VACCINATE YOUR RABBITS, INDOOR RABBITS NEED VACCINATIONS TOO.

 

[Shimmer]

Thanks for the update
My rabbits were vaccinated last month. My (independent) vet said there are a lot of problems trying to get hold of the new vaccine (ie they can't).

 

[InspectorMorse]