Vaccinations for your Rabbit

Why vaccinate your rabbit?

Vaccination is a very simple, safe and useful way to protect your rabbit against two nasty diseases. Both the diseases vaccinated against are either untreatable and fatal. A vaccination also combines an annual health check which is a great way of finding problems early, the best time to treat any disease.

Rabbit Vaccines

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis is a virus that is common in both wild and pet rabbits. When myxomatosis was introduced into Australia, millions of wild rabbits were killed by it. Myxomatosis is commonly spread by the rabbit flea and because of this does not need direct contact between two rabbits. This means any rabbit in an outdoor hutch or grass run is at risk and should be vaccinated. As a disease, myxomatosis causes swelling of the eyes, nostrils and genitals. Myxomatosis is a painful disease and causes a nasty death. It is very important that all rabbits are vaccinated against this common disease.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)

VHD is a virus that originally started in China. Although VHD has been seen in the UK, it is, fortunately, not a common disease. When a rabbit catches VHD, it bleeds from eyes, mouth, nostrils, bottom and genitals. Death occurs quickly, often before veterinary care can be found. Death from VHD is particularly painful and is best prevented. It is recommended that all rabbits are vaccinated against this disease but if a case is reported within 60 miles, we will write to all rabbit owners offering this vaccine.