Vaccinations

[fordy88]

Hi all,

I have 2, 10 week old mini lop bunnies. I am unsure if I should get them vaccinated or not. They are indoor rabbits.
I have heard horror stories about people getting their indoor bunnies vaccinated then them dying a couple of years later from cancer around where they were vaccinated. I understand vets are still a business but I am just unsure. Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Liz47]

Hello and welcome I've not heard of any reputable sources re cancer around the site of a vaccination. Indoor rabbits are still very susceptible as RHD is airborne and can be spread on your shoes, clothing etc from going outside, and myxo is spread by biting insects which still get inside the home. The best site for information is the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

They recommended the triple vaccine which protects them fully

 

[Shimmer]

I would definitely get them vaccinated. RHD and myxo are deadly diseases, and RHD is a silent killer of the unvaccinated. I would also discuss when to get them neutered when you see your vet for the vaccinations. There is about an 80% chance of cancer in entire females by the time they are 4 years old.

I've not come across any cancer deaths associated with rabbit vaccinations. Even in cats and dogs, injection site carcinoma is very, very rare and manageable if caught early - I've come across it once, and the cat died from old age rather than anything related to the cancer. However, there is a very real and significant risk of death from RHD (often within hours / overnight) or myxomatosis (requiring PTS) in unvaccinated rabbits.

 

[InspectorMorse]

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/health/vaccinations

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/other-veterinary-advice/rabbit-vaccines

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/general-practice/services/pet-vaccinations/rabbit

https://www.noah.co.uk/topics/companion-animals/rabbit-vaccination/

 

[Orenoko]

I'll be honest, I've had vets tell me not to worry as mine are indoors BUT there are lots of wild rabbits near where I live and I worry about accidentally transmitting it so I still get them vaccinated anyway. You can't be too careful.

 

[InspectorMorse]

I'll be honest, I've had vets tell me not to worry as mine are indoors.

:shock:

Any Vet telling me that would not get within a mile of my Rabbits. Just as well you know better than those Vets, but what about the poor people who don’t Just today I have seen a FB post from a person who lost her two House Rabbits to RHD

 

[Liz47]

Sadly a lot of vets I've worked with would've said the same re indoor rabbits and vaccinations, they just aren't educated enough on rabbits

 

[InspectorMorse]

Sadly a lot of vets I've worked with would've said the same re indoor rabbits and vaccinations, they just aren't educated enough on rabbits

It’s shocking. It’s not as though Organisations such as the RWAF don’t promote it enough, including info sent directly to Veterinary practices. It was said to me 20+ years ago, but to be honest I don’t think there is any excuse for it not to be know by all Vets claiming to provide Care for Rabbits these days. If a Service ( ie Veterinary Care for Rabbits) is advertised as being provided and charged (a lot) for, then the Client should expect the Service Providers to be up to date on the very basics.

OK not all small animal Vets are going to be Rabbit Savvy, but not knowing about the need to vaccinate indoor Rabbits …..really….:roll:

 

[Orenoko]

:shock:

Any Vet telling me that would not get within a mile of my Rabbits. Just as well you know better than those Vets, but what about the poor people who don’t Just today I have seen a FB post from a person who lost her two House Rabbits to RHD

Oh completely, tbh this was many years ago and I didn't know better myself. I don't use those vets any more!

 

[catbalou]

Was going to start a thread on this but then spotted this thread.
Its something Ive been thinking about all day today. Because Murphy is going to be a house rabbit, I initially thought I may not need vaccinations as he would never be outside, and I would be washing my hands/changing my clothes before I even think about picking him up... it didnt occur to me until reading that I may actually bring something IN to the apartment with me , on clothes or soles of shoes that would be harmful (naïve I know... but first time bunny owner here).
So, with regards to vet visits, Ive no immediate intentions on getting him neutered, but now considering the vaccination issue. Does anyone have any input, that is, is it vital a house rabbit would need vaccination? thanks in advance for your wisdom and sorry if im sounding thick here, new bunny mum

 

[Shimmer]

I wouldn't ever consider not vaccinating a rabbit. It's far too much of a risk, and there is no warning or treatment for the diseases covered - just a sudenly dead rabbit. Indoor rabbits are not safer than outdoor rabbits, IMO.

When you get him vaccinated, ask the vet to check that he is actually a boy. Mistakes are very common.

 

[Orenoko]

Was going to start a thread on this but then spotted this thread.
Its something Ive been thinking about all day today. Because Murphy is going to be a house rabbit, I initially thought I may not need vaccinations as he would never be outside, and I would be washing my hands/changing my clothes before I even think about picking him up... it didnt occur to me until reading that I may actually bring something IN to the apartment with me , on clothes or soles of shoes that would be harmful (naïve I know... but first time bunny owner here).
So, with regards to vet visits, Ive no immediate intentions on getting him neutered, but now considering the vaccination issue. Does anyone have any input, that is, is it vital a house rabbit would need vaccination? thanks in advance for your wisdom and sorry if im sounding thick here, new bunny mum

I would just do it for peace of mind. If you go walking in areas where wild rabbits live there's always a risk, even if small. It will give you peace of mind. I'd also consider neutering even if he's a solo bun as it can help reduce spraying urine.

 

[catbalou]

I wouldn't ever consider not vaccinating a rabbit. It's far too much of a risk, and there is no warning or treatment for the diseases covered - just a sudenly dead rabbit. Indoor rabbits are not safer than outdoor rabbits, IMO.

When you get him vaccinated, ask the vet to check that he is actually a boy. Mistakes are very common.

Thank you very much,. will be phoning vet in morning. Whilst I am there I would like a check over too, make sure he's fit and well.

 

[catbalou]

I would just do it for peace of mind. If you go walking in areas where wild rabbits live there's always a risk, even if small. It will give you peace of mind. I'd also consider neutering even if he's a solo bun as it can help reduce spraying urine.

Thank you. I dont go anywhere apart from an office where i work which is 3 minutes away and then back home again, but there is always that possibility I could touch/walk on something that would carry back a disease to Murphy. I had read about the spraying behaviour in un-neutered males, but I just hate the thought of him going under anaesthetic for the sake of me cleaning up wee. Im genuinely not bothered about the wee or poop, I live on my own and no-one else is ever here to even notice it. The only thing Id be bothered about is using a spray cleaner to clean up wee with a "kitchen spray" that would be harmful is sniffed by Murphy.

 

[joey&boo]

Thank you. I dont go anywhere apart from an office where i work which is 3 minutes away and then back home again, but there is always that possibility I could touch/walk on something that would carry back a disease to Murphy. I had read about the spraying behaviour in un-neutered males, but I just hate the thought of him going under anaesthetic for the sake of me cleaning up wee. Im genuinely not bothered about the wee or poop, I live on my own and no-one else is ever here to even notice it. The only thing Id be bothered about is using a spray cleaner to clean up wee with a "kitchen spray" that would be harmful is sniffed by Murphy.

 

[joey&boo]

Thank you. I dont go anywhere apart from an office where i work which is 3 minutes away and then back home again, but there is always that possibility I could touch/walk on something that would carry back a disease to Murphy. I had read about the spraying behaviour in un-neutered males, but I just hate the thought of him going under anaesthetic for the sake of me cleaning up wee. Im genuinely not bothered about the wee or poop, I live on my own and no-one else is ever here to even notice it. The only thing Id be bothered about is using a spray cleaner to clean up wee with a "kitchen spray" that would be harmful is sniffed by Murphy.

to be honest I don't think anything is safe, it may come in on his hay or veg & there is absolutely no way round that & providing a healthy diet. Neutering isn't just about containing wee, its about containing hormonal behaviours which most likely leave him frustrated. Cleaning wee off human beds is not so easy. I speak from experience I think male buns are susceptible to cancers of the reproductive system too.

If you get a rabbit savvy or exotic vet a male neuter is absolutely nothing to worry about. Its really quick & he wouldn't be under long. Recover is normal straight forward

 

[redmal]

I have an entire buck, and I have no intentions of neutering him. He is an outdoor bun, true, but it does not seem to be that difficult to clean his hutch and run. I clean him out daily, use cat litter trays and spray the trays and any bits of hutch that he has sprayed with white vinegar and water, a really good tip from this forum. It seems to neutralise the scent, without any nasty chemicals. Cheap too!

If he was going to be bonded to another rabbit I would reconsider neutering, but that's not on the cards at present.

 

[catbalou]

Im waiting for a vet appointment for vaccinations, so currently am a bit paranoid about cleanliness, so changing outdoor shoes to indoor flips flops on arriving home, washing hands before I hold him, changing outdoor clothes to indoor ones in case Ive brought any "disease" in on my clothes...but have a question to ask about his litter trays... Im currently using a kitchen spray, then kitchen roll, then rinsing twice in clear water, but it occurred to me, is that safe even though Im rinsing off the kitchen spray twice in clear water? If it;s not, then what is the safest cleaning method for a litter tray.

 

[catbalou]

Just read about the white vinegar and water - sorry for lame question, but how much vinegar to water ratio? I cant seem to find a white vinegar and water solution that doesnt have extra chemicals so i guess i'll make my own but need to know the ratio for safety

 

[Shimmer]

I just use a squirt of bleach and a squirt of washing up liquid in a bowl of warm water for all the animal cleaning (hutches, trays, bowls, etc). Air dry if you can, preferably in direct sunlight for additional disinfection by UV.