ALISON LAURIE-CHALMERS: Our Vet Speak correspondent considers the importance of vaccination for pet rabbits given the prevalence of nasty viruses like myxomatosis and strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD1 and RHD2)
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Adam was a beautiful, pristine, three-year-old New Zealand white rabbit.
He had been well handled and was settled and at ease during his examinations and his annual vaccination appointments at the practice. He didn’t mind getting his teeth and nails checked, which made my job so much easier!
Thankfully, Adam had been fully vaccinated every single year against the rabbit viral diseases, also, he was given regular three-monthly checks and he kept in good general health.
Fortunately, your rabbit can now be safeguarded against life-threatening diseases with a simple annual vaccination. The vaccinations for rabbits can be started from five weeks of age. By getting a vaccination against these diseases every year, you know your rabbit is up to date with the absolute best protection.
Preventative measures are always best and there are some nasty viruses out there that threaten pet rabbits. These include myxomatosis and both strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD1 and RHD2). RHD2 virus, also known as VHD2, is a relatively new strain of viral rabbit haemorrhagic disease. With confirmed cases of RHD2 in most parts of the UK, nowhere can be considered safe. The new strain was recognised several years ago, and it has become increasingly and worryingly prevalent.
RHD1 and RHD2 are highly contagious, and are sadly often fatal. RHD2 often shows few to no symptoms and kills rabbits quickly and suddenly – meaning the real incidence of RHD2 is unknown, as most cases are suspected rather than confirmed with tests. Little can be done to save any other companion rabbits from suffering the same fate as the disease can spread rapidly. If there are any symptoms present, they can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and abdominal spasms.
The RHD2 virus is spread very easily between rabbits and via contaminated surfaces, from human hand contact from handling an infected rabbit via contaminated clothing, from contaminated food and food bowls, and from hay and straw bedding. If a rabbit owner is unaware that their pet has the virus, it will continue to spread rapidly. There is an incubation period of three to nine days, during which time the virus is already highly contagious. Research on the effect of the disease on wild rabbits is limited.
Anywhere that has an outbreak of RHD2 will need rapid decontamination.
As there is no cure for this disease, the only way to protect your pet rabbit is with a preventative vaccine. Ask your vet about providing the vaccine against RHD2.
Protection against RHD1 is included in the original “standard” rabbit vaccinations. The vaccine for RHD2 needs to be given at least two weeks after the vaccine for RHD1, and then full booster vaccines for all these diseases can safely be given annually.
If your rabbit has already had a vaccination against RHD2 strain within the last 12 months, then the new combined annual booster vaccine can be given to cover against myxomatosis, RHD1 and RHD2 strains.
Vaccinations are quick and simple, and before your rabbit is vaccinated they will also receive a full health assessment. This is a vital opportunity for the vet to detect any visible health problems and also to discuss any concerns.
Keeping up with regular check-ups and an annual vaccination appointment is important.
If you would like any more information on vaccinating your rabbit, get in touch with your vet practice.
• Alison Laurie-Chalmers is a senior consultant at Crown Vets in Inverness.
