Is Your Rabbit Vaccinated?

Has your rabbit been vaccinated against myxomatosis and VHD?

We vaccinate all rabbits at Camp Nibble and believe that all responsible rabbit owners should do the same.

Both these diseases are fatal to rabbits and spread very easily within rabbit populations.  As a responsible rabbit owner please have your rabbit vaccinated by your local vet.

Myxomatosis is a severe viral disease of rabbits that decimated the wild rabbit population when it arrived in Britain 50 years ago. Domestic rabbits are also susceptible to the disease and deaths in pets are reported every year.

Myxomatosis poses a threat to all pet rabbits– but the risk varies depending on whether your rabbit lives inside or outside.

Pet rabbits at greatest risk are those living outside, especially if they may have any contact with wild rabbits or hares. Pet rabbits affected by rabbit fleas are also at very high risk - rabbit owners who also have a dog or cat (or foxes that visit the garden and nose around rabbit hutches) must be particularly careful, in case rabbit fleas are brought back to the pet bunny.

House rabbits living permanently indoors are at less risk than outdoor rabbits but can and do get myxomatosis. They must be vaccinated and protected from possible sources of myxomatosis transmission too.

If an unvaccinated rabbit catches myxomatosis and develops the full-blown classic form of the disease, survival is very unusual, If a vaccinated rabbit is unlucky enough to catch myxomatosis, the situation is much less gloomy. Treatment is usually successful in the vaccinated rabbit with a good vet, nursing care and a bit of luck. 

Myxomatosis vaccination can be given from eight weeks onwards, but is usually given at 10-12 weeks. Boosters are advised every six months for myxomatosis.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a very serious infectious disease that can affect rabbits. Unfortunately, there is no cure once a rabbit is infected.

All rabbits are at risk of VHD.

VHD is spread by direct contact between rabbits (both wild and domesticated) and also via indirect contact. Possible sources of indirect contact are people, clothing, contaminated hutches and bedding, as well as insect vectors such as fleas.