Rabbit Vaccination – Everything You Need to Know
What is myxomatosis?
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by a virus. It only affects rabbits and cannot cause illness in other family pets like cats and dogs. Bloodsucking insects like fleas, mites, and mosquitos spread the virus to rabbits, causing illness. Infection can also be passed between rabbits by environmental contaminants or be brought in on clothes, shoes, or other pets, for example.
Symptoms include severe swelling of the lips, ear bases, eyelids, and genital, progressing to fever and loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment and recovery is rare. Death usually occurs after 10-14 days.
What is viral haemorrhagic disease?
Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a viral condition that also only affects rabbits. It is also caused by a virus which is spread by insects, directly between rabbits, or contaminated environments and other animals. There are two types of VHD, VHD1 which became prevalent in 2010, and the newer variant VHD2.
- VHD1 is nearly always fatal. It causes significant internal bleeding (haemorrhage) and liver disease in rabbits over 6 weeks of age. It is more commonly a disease affecting older rabbits. Symptoms can include depression, collapse, difficulty breathing, convulsions, fever, and bleeding from the nose. Death can be rapid, within 12-36 hours of symptoms.
- VHD2 is fatal in around 7-20% of cases, so has a lower mortality rate, but as it kills slower, it has more of a chance to spread (is more contagious) and can affect rabbits of all ages. This strain of the virus often has very non-specific clinical signs which may just be that the rabbit seems slightly off-colour.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines are given by injection. They work by training the body's immune system to recognise and attack the viruses or bacteria contained in the vaccine. Although vaccination doesn’t prevent infection, it should prevent serious infection or fatality if your rabbit comes into contact with the disease in the real world. So, it is possible for your rabbit to contract the disease, but they should recover after milder symptoms.
When should my rabbit be vaccinated?
Most rabbits will now be given a 3-in-1 vaccination to protect against myxomatosis, VHD1 and VHD2. There are two types of vaccination protocols at the moment:
- The Combi- vaccine (Myxo- VHD1) with separate VHD2 vaccination given 2 weeks later.
- The 3-in-1 vaccination
- Naïve rabbits that have never received a vaccine before should be covered with the 3-in-1 vaccination protecting against Myxomatosis, VHD1, and VHD2 from 5 weeks of age. The vaccination is then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits that are up to date with vaccines (have been vaccinated in the last 12 months with the VHD2 vaccine with or without the combi vaccine (Myxo- VHD1)) should be given the 3-in-1 vaccination when their booster is due and then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits whose vaccines have lapsed (given more than 12 months ago) or those vaccinated with the combination vaccine (Myxo-VHD1) but NOT the VHD2 vaccine, should be vaccinated with VHD2 as soon as possible and boostered after 1 year with the 3-in-1 vaccine. Booster vaccination with the 3-in-1 vaccine is then continued yearly.
The combined Myxo-VHD vaccination is not recommended in pregnant does or bucks intended to be used for breeding, since safety in these groups has not been trialled sufficiently.
Do vaccines fail to work sometimes?
Occasionally a rabbit may not be fully protected against a condition, even after vaccination. This may be because the rabbit was already ill or was stressed when vaccinated and its immune system wasn't working properly, so couldn’t respond appropriately to provide protection. Your vet will examine your rabbit before vaccination and if any signs of illness are detected, vaccination will be delayed until your rabbit is well again.
Risks and side effects of vaccines
The risks of vaccination are low, especially compared to the benefits of their protection. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Sometimes your rabbit may seem 'off-colour' for a day or two after its vaccination and the injection site may also become tender and swollen. If these effects do not wear off it is worth taking your rabbit back to see your vet. If you are concerned about any symptoms in your rabbit do not hesitate to contact your vet for reassurance or advice.
Summary
Vaccinations are an essential part of your rabbits’ preventative health care plan, to keep your rabbit safe from preventable, potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinations are started when your rabbit is young and repeated annually to ensure they stay protected.
What is myxomatosis?
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by a virus. It only affects rabbits and cannot cause illness in other family pets like cats and dogs. Bloodsucking insects like fleas, mites, and mosquitos spread the virus to rabbits, causing illness. Infection can also be passed between rabbits by environmental contaminants or be brought in on clothes, shoes, or other pets, for example.
Symptoms include severe swelling of the lips, ear bases, eyelids, and genital, progressing to fever and loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment and recovery is rare. Death usually occurs after 10-14 days.
What is viral haemorrhagic disease?
Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a viral condition that also only affects rabbits. It is also caused by a virus which is spread by insects, directly between rabbits, or contaminated environments and other animals. There are two types of VHD, VHD1 which became prevalent in 2010, and the newer variant VHD2.
- VHD1 is nearly always fatal. It causes significant internal bleeding (haemorrhage) and liver disease in rabbits over 6 weeks of age. It is more commonly a disease affecting older rabbits. Symptoms can include depression, collapse, difficulty breathing, convulsions, fever, and bleeding from the nose. Death can be rapid, within 12-36 hours of symptoms.
- VHD2 is fatal in around 7-20% of cases, so has a lower mortality rate, but as it kills slower, it has more of a chance to spread (is more contagious) and can affect rabbits of all ages. This strain of the virus often has very non-specific clinical signs which may just be that the rabbit seems slightly off-colour.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines are given by injection. They work by training the body's immune system to recognise and attack the viruses or bacteria contained in the vaccine. Although vaccination doesn’t prevent infection, it should prevent serious infection or fatality if your rabbit comes into contact with the disease in the real world. So, it is possible for your rabbit to contract the disease, but they should recover after milder symptoms.
When should my rabbit be vaccinated?
Most rabbits will now be given a 3-in-1 vaccination to protect against myxomatosis, VHD1 and VHD2. There are two types of vaccination protocols at the moment:
- The Combi- vaccine (Myxo- VHD1) with separate VHD2 vaccination given 2 weeks later.
- The 3-in-1 vaccination
- Naïve rabbits that have never received a vaccine before should be covered with the 3-in-1 vaccination protecting against Myxomatosis, VHD1, and VHD2 from 5 weeks of age. The vaccination is then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits that are up to date with vaccines (have been vaccinated in the last 12 months with the VHD2 vaccine with or without the combi vaccine (Myxo- VHD1)) should be given the 3-in-1 vaccination when their booster is due and then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits whose vaccines have lapsed (given more than 12 months ago) or those vaccinated with the combination vaccine (Myxo-VHD1) but NOT the VHD2 vaccine, should be vaccinated with VHD2 as soon as possible and boostered after 1 year with the 3-in-1 vaccine. Booster vaccination with the 3-in-1 vaccine is then continued yearly.
The combined Myxo-VHD vaccination is not recommended in pregnant does or bucks intended to be used for breeding, since safety in these groups has not been trialled sufficiently.
Do vaccines fail to work sometimes?
Occasionally a rabbit may not be fully protected against a condition, even after vaccination. This may be because the rabbit was already ill or was stressed when vaccinated and its immune system wasn't working properly, so couldn’t respond appropriately to provide protection. Your vet will examine your rabbit before vaccination and if any signs of illness are detected, vaccination will be delayed until your rabbit is well again.
Risks and side effects of vaccines
The risks of vaccination are low, especially compared to the benefits of their protection. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Sometimes your rabbit may seem 'off-colour' for a day or two after its vaccination and the injection site may also become tender and swollen. If these effects do not wear off it is worth taking your rabbit back to see your vet. If you are concerned about any symptoms in your rabbit do not hesitate to contact your vet for reassurance or advice.
Summary
Vaccinations are an essential part of your rabbits’ preventative health care plan, to keep your rabbit safe from preventable, potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinations are started when your rabbit is young and repeated annually to ensure they stay protected.
What is myxomatosis?
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by a virus. It only affects rabbits and cannot cause illness in other family pets like cats and dogs. Bloodsucking insects like fleas, mites, and mosquitos spread the virus to rabbits, causing illness. Infection can also be passed between rabbits by environmental contaminants or be brought in on clothes, shoes, or other pets, for example.
Symptoms include severe swelling of the lips, ear bases, eyelids, and genital, progressing to fever and loss of appetite. There is no specific treatment and recovery is rare. Death usually occurs after 10-14 days.
What is viral haemorrhagic disease?
Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a viral condition that also only affects rabbits. It is also caused by a virus which is spread by insects, directly between rabbits, or contaminated environments and other animals. There are two types of VHD, VHD1 which became prevalent in 2010, and the newer variant VHD2.
- VHD1 is nearly always fatal. It causes significant internal bleeding (haemorrhage) and liver disease in rabbits over 6 weeks of age. It is more commonly a disease affecting older rabbits. Symptoms can include depression, collapse, difficulty breathing, convulsions, fever, and bleeding from the nose. Death can be rapid, within 12-36 hours of symptoms.
- VHD2 is fatal in around 7-20% of cases, so has a lower mortality rate, but as it kills slower, it has more of a chance to spread (is more contagious) and can affect rabbits of all ages. This strain of the virus often has very non-specific clinical signs which may just be that the rabbit seems slightly off-colour.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines are given by injection. They work by training the body's immune system to recognise and attack the viruses or bacteria contained in the vaccine. Although vaccination doesn’t prevent infection, it should prevent serious infection or fatality if your rabbit comes into contact with the disease in the real world. So, it is possible for your rabbit to contract the disease, but they should recover after milder symptoms.
When should my rabbit be vaccinated?
Most rabbits will now be given a 3-in-1 vaccination to protect against myxomatosis, VHD1 and VHD2. There are two types of vaccination protocols at the moment:
- The Combi- vaccine (Myxo- VHD1) with separate VHD2 vaccination given 2 weeks later.
- The 3-in-1 vaccination
- Naïve rabbits that have never received a vaccine before should be covered with the 3-in-1 vaccination protecting against Myxomatosis, VHD1, and VHD2 from 5 weeks of age. The vaccination is then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits that are up to date with vaccines (have been vaccinated in the last 12 months with the VHD2 vaccine with or without the combi vaccine (Myxo- VHD1)) should be given the 3-in-1 vaccination when their booster is due and then boostered yearly.
- Rabbits whose vaccines have lapsed (given more than 12 months ago) or those vaccinated with the combination vaccine (Myxo-VHD1) but NOT the VHD2 vaccine, should be vaccinated with VHD2 as soon as possible and boostered after 1 year with the 3-in-1 vaccine. Booster vaccination with the 3-in-1 vaccine is then continued yearly.
The combined Myxo-VHD vaccination is not recommended in pregnant does or bucks intended to be used for breeding, since safety in these groups has not been trialled sufficiently.
Do vaccines fail to work sometimes?
Occasionally a rabbit may not be fully protected against a condition, even after vaccination. This may be because the rabbit was already ill or was stressed when vaccinated and its immune system wasn't working properly, so couldn’t respond appropriately to provide protection. Your vet will examine your rabbit before vaccination and if any signs of illness are detected, vaccination will be delayed until your rabbit is well again.
Risks and side effects of vaccines
The risks of vaccination are low, especially compared to the benefits of their protection. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Sometimes your rabbit may seem 'off-colour' for a day or two after its vaccination and the injection site may also become tender and swollen. If these effects do not wear off it is worth taking your rabbit back to see your vet. If you are concerned about any symptoms in your rabbit do not hesitate to contact your vet for reassurance or advice.
Summary
Vaccinations are an essential part of your rabbits’ preventative health care plan, to keep your rabbit safe from preventable, potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinations are started when your rabbit is young and repeated annually to ensure they stay protected.