Vaccinations

VHD 1 and Myxomatosis comes in a combined jab -which is done annually. VHD 2 is done either every 9 months or annually depending on type used. As of 2021- there is a new triple vaccination that covers all three, please check with your vet if you can have this.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease is highly contagious and fatal. There are two types of VND. The disease is an air born virus. Symptoms of VHD can include lethargy, collapsing, convulsions, lack of co-ordination, paralysis, breathing difficulties, bloody discharge from the nose, jaundice, weight loss, fever and groaning. Rabbits usually die within a 12-36 hours of showing symptoms and there is no cure. However, in some cases infected rabbits may show no symptoms at all and may simply appear to drop dead.

Myxomatosis is a severe viral disease which is transmitted by biting insects such as fleas, mosquitoes, mites, etc. Myxomatosis is most often fatal  The symptoms of the classic form Myxomatosis are runny eyes developing into severe conjunctivitis that results in blindness, swollen genitals, swelling in the head, thick pus discharge from the nose, swollen eyes and lumps on the body. Pet rabbits can be, vaccinated against Myxomatosis as young as 6 weeks of age and then yearly Although vaccinated rabbits may still contract Myxomatosis, the disease is much less severe in vaccinated rabbits and it may simply result in the rabbit being a bit unwell or developing a lump on the skin.  So in vaccinated rabbits Myxomatosis is often treatable and but may still be fatal. You can reduce the risks of your pet being infected by biting insects by netting the front of your hutch, by using our lavender products that will deter flying insects, and by keeping your pet's cage clean. The photo shows a rabbit in very early stages- slightly puffy eyes with a red eye liner.

Worming:

Wormer for rabbits, Panacur®Rabbit is an oral paste. As an aid in the control of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Intestinal worms in rabbits. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a single celled parasite which can cause a wide variety of symptoms including head tilt, cataracts, hind limb paralysis, urinary incontinence and sometimes death if left un-treated. The paste is easy to use. Ideally you pet should be treated twice a year.  The first treatment should be for 28 days folowed every 6 months for 9 days. One tube will worm two medium sized rabbits. Spot on will also treat thread worm. A pet suffering from worms will lose a lot of weight. Its condition will deteriorate and so will its resistance to other diseases. If you are feeding my Millen Advanced Rabbit feed this contains Verm-X 100% herbal blend to promote intestinal health

Mites, Lice and Fleas

Many small animals become infected with fleas, lice and mites by their own siblings, other animals or even bedding or its surroundings. When rabbits suffer from lice this can lead to the following symptoms, depending on the severity of the infection: itchiness, hair loss, crusts and sometimes skin ulcers. Fleas are generally spread via wild rabbits and they can also bite people. Rabbits can also play host to cat fleas, so look out for these if your rabbits and cats mix. You can treat your pets with Dynamite made up into a Spray, or Anti-Parasite Spot On. The living quarters, should also be treated. You can do this by removing all the bedding and using a good disinfectant and cage spray. Other symptoms are a poor coat, dandruff and eczema. Ear mite infections are far more serious for rabbits. They are not common but are very contagious. The mite causes serious itchiness, scratching and causes the rabbit to frequently shake and tilt its head. In the longer term, crusts may form in the auditory canal, under which is a bloody, purulent infection. If the infection breaks through to the middle ear and the cerebral membranes, this might lead to problems with balance, convulsions or epilepsy. If your rabbit is suffering from ear mites, you should seek veterinary help. To prevent your rabbit from becoming infected with ear mites, you can keep its ears clean. You can fight all species of external parasites with Anti Parasite Spot on.

Uterine cancer:

This is a common cause of death in female rabbits (does), which can often spread to other organs before it is diagnosed. This can be prevented by spaying (neutering) if the rabbit is not intended for breeding and is best done when the rabbit is between 5 months and 2 years of age. Neutering also means no un-wanted litters, and no mood swings with pairs of rabbits living together better. I do offer a neutering service for my bunnies, please e-mail me for details. Neutering of your pets, especially when keeping pairs together is a must, to prevent fighting, un-wanted litters as well as protecting the Female rabbit against the risks of Uterine cancer. More info on neutering can be found further down