Rabbits N'Rodents

Vaccinations

There are two vaccinations all  rabbits need, and they are VHD (Viral Heamorrhagic Disease) and Myxomatosis jabs. Both are diseases can effect wild and domestic rabbits, causing almost certain death. However, although VHD and Myxomatosis is found in many countries around the world, the vaccinations are not found everywhere. Therefore this mainly applies to UK and Irish owners only.

VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease)

This virus was first discovered in China, and has now spread throughout Europe, Asia and some parts of the USA. It results in convulsions and death, but a very small percentage of rabbits can fight it off.  They will be lethargic and will refuse to eat for a few days, which is damaging to their liver, and normally after this they will suffer from other problems like snuffles due to a lowered immune system. VHD is present throughout the UK and Ireland, and all rabbits MUST be vaccinated, and everywhere else should ask their vets if they are in a VHD area, in which case they may need the jabs. It is NOT contagious to humans and rabbits should be vaccinated once every year against VHD. At present there are very few places, if any in the USA that have the vaccinations for rabbits.

Myxomatosis (Myxi/Myxo)

Usually passed on as the result of fleas or mice, this virus causes swellings around the eyes and gentials, and in the acute form, it is almost always fatal. There will be gloop around the eyes, the rabbit will stop eating and pneumonia will also occur. Rabbits who develop this are almost always put to sleep to end suffering, as even with treatment, it rarely cures the rabbit.  However if caught early, intial treatment may help the rabbit to recover.

The other form, known as  the chronic form, is rarer, and is showed by little lumps around the body, prompt treatment can save the rabbit. 

In high risk areas, the rabbits should be vaccinated every 6 months, but in lower risk areas, once a year is normal.  Contact your vet to see if you live in a high risk area.

What is the cost?

In the UK price varies between vets, I have heard it from as cheap as £8 to as expensive as £30 per vaccination. My vet charges £16 per jab, so that is £32 per rabbit every year.  Which may seem expensive, but can be the difference between life and death.

Is it 100% effective?

No, it offers protection but like any vaccination, it cannot guarantee full protection.

Are the vaccinations safe?

On the whole, yes, however some rabbits take allergic reactions to them, particulary the VHD jab, so keep an eye out for swelling or other abnormalities, this is normally due to improper procedure by the vet. Occassionally after the VHD jab a rabbit will develop a small limp. Expect the rabbit to be a little 'off colour' for the next day after the jab.  If you are concerned, consult your vet ASAP!

What is the normal procedure?

The injections should never be given all at once, it should happen over a course of 4 weeks, 1 week for myxo, and then wait two weeks before getting the VHD jabs. Ideally then VHD should be spilt over two weeks as a full dose at once is believed to cause problems in some rabbits.

Homopathic Options

Some people believe that vaccinations cause damage to their rabbits and go down the homopathic route. This method involves tablets rather than jabs. However, it is unknown whether it offers more or less support than the traditional jab, and there is little, if any evidence which suggests that the jabs cause harm in the first place. Talk to your vet for further details, and do some research, however, most material written on homopathic options are often biased and unsupported, so choose carefully, and both rabbits on conventional and homepathic options have died, so neither offer 100% protection.

Further Preventative Methods

Ensure the rabbit cannot come into contact with rats, mice and other wild animals. Wild rabbits can also be carriers, so if there is an outbreak in your area, avoid walking in fields with infected rabbits. 

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