Why Vaccinating Rabbits is Essential
There are three incurable diseases that we need to vaccinate against:
Myxomatosis is almost 100% fatal
RHD1 is 80-100% fatal
RHD 2 is a mutated form of RHD 1 and is also 80-100% fatal
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis comes from South America and was historically used to reduce rabbit numbers in the wild, first in Australia then in France in 1952. The virus was spread by a farmer trying to control wild populations which made its way through Europe, reaching Germany a year later and so on. It is a host-specific pox virus, meaning that it only affects rabbits. However, as of 2018 it has spread to hares in the UK.
Myxomatosis can remain active in the environment for up to a year and is highly contagious! It can be transmitted via mosquitos, flies and other biting insects. Insects can infect a healthy rabbit for 36 days after contact with an infected animal. Rabbit fleas can even transmit myxomatosis after three months. Many animals can become infected and transmit the disease without becoming ill such as humans, rodents, birds and cats. It can be transferred from object to object and from animal to animal, even infected feed (dried and fresh) cannot be ruled out. Recovered rabbits carry the disease for up to six months even though they themselves are healthy, they can still infect others.
The incubation period of myxomatosis is 3-10 days and it occurs in two forms. The acute form includes inflammation and swelling of the eyelids, mouth, ears, lips and genitals, edema, fever, nasal discharge & eye discharge. Pneumonia is also a very common symptom. After a tortuous 10-14 days the disease is usually fatal. The milder form includes more nodules on the face and head area and genitals. Recovery from this form is possible with veterinary care (usually only occurs in vaccinated rabbits).
Dead animals should not be buried in the garden as they are still infectious and can transmit the disease. Even with indoor animals insects can get inside the house, food can be contaminated and you could even transmit it yourself. Emergency vaccinations do not work, you can only prevent. All healthy rabbits MUST be vaccinated against this disease.
RHD1 & RHD2
RHD first appeared in China in 1988 then a new RHD pathogen, RHD2, was discovered in France in 2010 and by 2014 it had reached Germany. These diseases are 80% alike and so have very similar symptoms. They cause mostly sudden death in 80-100% of the cases. The RHD pathogen is triggered by a calcivirus and can survive without a host for up to seven months despite weather conditions. It can survive for two days at 80 degrees Celsius and occurs throughout the year.
Transmission occurs via direct contact with infected rabbits, through airdrops, mosquitoes & biting insects, flies and other insects, vet visits where infected animals have been, contaminated clothes or objects, hands, contaminated feed, especially if foraged in areas with RHD present, packaged items such as hay and dried food, vegetables from shops, bedding & water. Surviving and recovered animals also continue to excrete the virus. If infected dead rabbits are buried in the garden, the virus can survive for decades if the conditions are favourable underground - the bodies must be burned. RHD also occurs in hares but humans and other animals are immune.
100 viruses are all it takes to infect a rabbit, on a needle tip fits millions, the pathogen then spreads through the blood to all the organs, especially the liver. The incubation of RHD is 1-3 days and occurs in three forms. Acute includes restlessness, drowsiness, shortness of breath, high fever, blue/yellowing of the mucus membranes, blood leaking from orifices, loss of appetite, apathy, convulsions and bloody diarrhea. The rabbit will die after a short time.
Peracute includes no symptoms then the rabbit will suddenly collapse with a limp body and won’t be able to stand up. It will have breathing problems and keep bending it’s head back in an attempt to get air into it’s lungs. Nasal discharge will be bloody/foamy and horrific death screams will occur.
Mild includes loss of appetite and diarrhea, before recovery in a few days with the rabbit continuing to excrete the virus. This form occurs in less than 20% of cases. However, usually after the mild form the immune system is weakened and so secondary health issues will occur such as ear infections, respiratory infections or even myxomatosis if not vaccinated.
Which vaccinations?
The recommended vaccinations are Nobivac Myxo-RHD which vacccinates against Myxomatosis and RHD1 and the Filavac RHD K C+V vaccinates against RHD2 and RHD1. Your rabbit MUST get both vaccinations at least two weeks apart even if you live indoors, no matter if you live in the countryside or in the city, as long as your rabbit is healthy. Even if there has been no reported cases in your area you can always become the first. Non-vaccination allows the viruses to spread further and become more prevalent the next year.
The Nobivac Myxo-RHD vaccination lasts for 12 months and can be administered at a minimum age of 5 weeks with no booster needed, only an annual vaccination. Filavac RHD K C+V can be given at a minimum age of 3-4 weeks, a booster is needed at 10 weeks and then an annual vaccination. However, if you are in an area where RHD exists then a vaccination every 6 months is recommended.
Only healthy animals should be vaccinated as this can result in a vaccination breakthrough and subsequent infection from the disease. A vet should examine your rabbit before a vaccination is given to ensure that this does not happen and you should watch your rabbit closely afterwards.
The vaccinations are active which means that they contain pathogens that have been treated so that they are weakened or killed. This allows the immune system to fight and produce it’s own antibodies. For this to work correctly the rabbit should not be exposed to stress for two weeks before or after the vaccinations.
The myxomatosis vaccination does not prevent the infection but it does cause a weakened infection process so that there is a chance to treat it, (70-90% rabbits are protected from any symptoms.) Whereas the RHD vaccinations mostly prevent the disease completely.
In cases where your rabbit is unable to be vaccinated due to ill health, certain precautions can be taken. This will not ensure that your rabbit is safe and it should be vaccinated as a matter of urgency!
Precautions:
No contact with wild rabbits or hares, even through bars.
Three week quarantine for any new rabbits.
Fly screens covering windows indoors and covering enclosures outdoors.
Do not feed forage from the wild unless you know for certain that the area is safe. However, these diseases can also be transmitted through hay, vegetables and dried foods. The safest way is to take from tall plants and stay away from the ground.
Try not use medications that weaken the immune system such as cortisol.
If RHD is present in the area, make sure to wash hands and change your clothes before going near your rabbit. Be very careful when going to the vets, do not go into pet shops or have contact with any other rabbit owners.
All of these diseases are incredibly contagious and cause a great deal of suffering to your rabbit, your whole rabbit group could be wiped out overnight. It is not worth taking the chance, even rabbits kept in a flat in the middle of a large city are not safe.
Please vaccinate.
Sources:
Gabrisch and Zwart Diseases of pets ; Schlütersche; Edition 2005 (and study edition 1989)
Anja Ewringmann Lead symptoms in rabbits / Diagnostic guideline and therapy
Wenzel / Albert rabbit diseases
Winkelmann rabbit diseases Ulmer Verlag
Isenbügel pet diseases
Force; Hein; Emmerich Dosage proposals for medicinal products in small rodents, rabbits and ferrets ; Schattauer
Peter C. Berghoff Small pets and their diseases
Walter Baumgartner, Clinical Propädeutik of the internal diseases and skin diseases of the domestic and domestic animals , publishing house Parey, 6th edition 2005
Kathy Smith; Rabbit Health in the 21st Century , second edition; iUniverse. Jörg Grünwald, Christof Jänicke Grüne Apotheke GU Verlag
Various manufacturer inquiries, package leaflets and manufacturer's
information Abrantes, J., Van Der Loo, W., Le Pendu, J., & Esteves, PJ (2012): Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV): a review. Vet Res , 43 (1), 12.
Friedrich Löffler Institut (2017): FAQ on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ( RHDV , RHDV -2)
StIKo Vet (2016): Stiko Vet's opinion on immunizing rabbits against RHDV -2
StIKo Vet (2016): Updated opinion of StIKo Vet for the immunization of rabbits against RHDV -2
StIKo Vet (2017): indication of new RHDV -2 vaccines
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