Protecting your rabbit against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease.

About the Diseases

The Myxomatosis virus is spread from wild rabbits by fleas, flies and mosquitoes. Cats who have been hunting may come into your garden and carry wild rabbit fleas to your rabbit in its hutch. Affected rabbits develop puffy swellings around the head, face and genitals, fail to eat and develop pneumonia. It is invariably fatal.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD1) is spread by contact and by birds. It originated in China in 1982 and has since spread to Europe and the UK. Affected rabbits are often found dead as it is a very acute disease causing haemorrhage internally.

When to vaccinate

There is now a new vaccine that protects your rabbits against both of these fatal diseases. The vaccine can be given to rabbits as young as 6 weeks old. Protection now lasts a full year so now an annual vaccination is required, much improved on the twice yearly myxomatosis vaccine we previously used.

There is also a vaccine available against the newer variant RHD2

If you are not intending to breed from your rabbit we advise neutering bucks and does for a number of reasons.

Advantages of Speying a Female Rabbit

• Prevention of any unwanted litters
• Prevention of uterine cancer. Recent studies have shown that 80% of older females had evidence of uterine cancer. The womb and ovaries are removed when a rabbit is speyed so prevents this occurring.
• Stops nest making behaviour and associated hair plucking.

Advantages of Castrating a Male Rabbit

• Prevention of unwanted litters
• Reduction in any aggressive tendencies.
• Reduction in territorial spraying behaviour.

At what age can the operation be carried out?

Bucks are usually castrated from 6 months of age. They are sexually mature at 4 months of age and can be castrated at this age if necessary to prevent unwanted litters.

A doe can be speyed at any age from 6 months old.

Any disadvantages?

In common with any operation, there is a small anaesthetic risk associated with the procedure.

How much does it cost?

Current prices are available from the receptionist or nurse. It varies a little depending on the size of your rabbit.

If you wish to book your rabbit in for the operation or wish to ask any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.