Pet Care - Vaccinations and Pet Rabbits

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It is recommended that pet rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease), both of which can be fatal. Annual booster vaccinations are usually suggested for both diseases and in high risk areas e.g. countryside; areas of known outbreaks, rescue centres etc, twice yearly boosters against myxomatosis may be advised.

Myxomatosis is caused by a virus known as myxoma. The virus can be transmitted by fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and fur mites as well as direct contact with infected rabbits. House rabbits should be vaccinated too as these insects can either fly indoors (mosquitoes) or brought into the house by other animals, on the owner’s clothing or even in hay.

Myxomatosis is a contagious disease which originated in Australia where it was deliberately introduced to try and control the wild rabbit population. In the 1950’s it was used in France and soon spread to the UK wiping out 95% of the wild rabbit population. It is a deadly disease which is very difficult to treat, therefore prevention is important. Symptoms can be different depending on which strain of the virus the rabbit has but it often starts with runny eyes, swelling around the eyes, nose, ears and genitals followed by fever, anorexia, lethargy, skin lesions and skin haemorrhages.

Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) was first seen in Britain in the early 90’s. It is a highly contagious disease caused by the calcivirus. VHD can be spread by direct contact and indirectly by insects, birds and contaminated hay. Rabbits with VHD can die suddenly without warning but those which show symptoms may suffer from fever, anorexia, breathing difficulties and bleeding from the nose and anus.

Vaccinations for Myxomatosis and VHD should never be done together. Vets usually give the injections 2-3 weeks apart. For optimum protection it is recommended that a small amount of the myxomatosis vaccine is actually injected into the skin (intradermally). The Myxomatosis vaccine can be given to healthy rabbits from 6 weeks old onwards. The VHD vaccine can be given to healthy rabbits from 10 weeks old onwards.

As with all vaccinations there can be no guarantee that your rabbit will not contract one of these diseases even if it is vaccinated. However, a vaccinated rabbit should develop a much milder form of the disease and has more chance of survival.