Hi folks, we were vaccinated a few months ago and my mum said I should do this post on the subject as maybe people will listen to me more. However, I am not sure I can be bothered as people mustn’t be taking the subject seriously enough. I just don’t understand why I am hearing of so many of my fellow bunnies dying due to not being vaccinated. Some of these bunnies have been adopted from a sanctuary and the new ‘parents’ were given full advice. House rabbits aren’t immune from danger either. Anyway, for those of you who don’t vaccinate your bunnies please rethink this and vaccinate. There is Myxomatosis to vaccinate against along with 2 RHDs (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease). These are RHD1 and RHD2. One vaccine covers all 3 diseases. There is also a new “highly virulent” strain of RHD2 but I will talk about that at the end.

Myxomatosis is a virus that is transmitted by biting insects that have fed on an infected rabbit. These could be mosquitos, mites, lice, & rabbit fleas. These biting insects can be carried on another animal like the family cat, dog or wild rabbits.
They can also come from the environment especially if they have been outside in the garden or backyard.
Prognosis – A painful death usually occurs within 12 days. In some cases there is a chance of recovery, although this is quite rare.

RHD1 is a highly contagious disease & can cause sudden death with no prior symptoms. It is transmitted by carriers of RHD such as infected insects, birds, flies & other animals particularly rodents which can host the virus after being exposed to it.
The disease can be spread by direct contact such as an infected rabbit, from nose to nose contact & faecal matter. It can also be spread by indirect contact such as shoes, clothing, objects & people. It does not affect humans we can just spread it.
Prognosis – A painful death usually occurs within 36 hours so you have very little time. On the rare occasion a rabbit survives it will be a carrier of the disease.

RHD2 is a variant of RHD1.  The disease is transmitted the same way as RHD1. Once again insects, birds, scavengers etc that have fed on infected rabbits are carriers easily spreading the disease. The disease also spreads by direct contact of nose to nose. The indirect contact can cause spread, again by humans on their shoes, clothes etc. Bedding, food/water bowls, hay etc. can also carry the disease.
Prognosis – Death usually occurs in the majority of rabbits.

“Highly Virulent” strain of RHD2. Unfortunately, this strain is very contagious and can survive in the environment for months. The disease is transmitted the same as the other two RHD strains.
Prognosis – Death usually occurs in the majority of rabbits.

The new strain of RHD2 should also be vaccinated against although trials are still ongoing I believe. We have all been vaccinated with Yurvac as it was showing very positive in giving protection. I would advise you speak to your vet about the latest strain and discuss what vaccination they are using for this disease.   This is our second year of being vaccinated with Yurvac. It cannot be given at the same time as the other vaccine, you need to leave 2 weeks between.

I hope you managed to read to the end and now realise why vaccinating is so important and why we get upset when we hear of the needless deaths. Please visit our Vaccination
page to find out more about the diseases.  The page has yet to be updated on the new strain.