Health Advice

Health Advice

Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

RVHD1 was first identified in this country in 1991. The viral infection had initially been seen in China and then spread across Europe, thought to have been passed on by the import of angora fur. Vaccines were developed and became available throughout Europe and the UK.

In 2015, large numbers of wild rabbits were found to be dying in Devon and Cornwall, and it was discovered that the virus had mutated and was known as RVHD2. Whilst RVHD1 caused rabbits to haemorrhage from the rectum and mouth, this was no longer the case with RVHD2; many animals just suddenly died with no apparent symptoms. Some exhibitors have reported rabbits seeming to be eating their food briefly before dying or fitting in as they died.

Current Situation

A new virulent variant of RVHD2 has now been identified in Europe. The vaccines which have been available are no longer effective. We do not yet know whether any animals have been affected in the UK as testing is not yet carried out for this variant. HIPRA has developed a new vaccine that is effective against RVHD 1&2, plus a new variant. This has been given Vet Medicine Directorate approval on September 27th and is licensed for use in this country. The drug company are manufacturing a vaccine for use in the UK and hopes to have it available within the next few weeks. As a prescription-only medicine, it will only be available via Vet Practices in the UK. We have heard today (8th November 2024) that the vaccine will be available for vets to order from the wholesaler from December 1st 2024.

Action if you have any sudden deaths

There is no change to the advice or rules for previous variants. If you suddenly lose a previously fit rabbit – assume that it may be RVHD2. Wash hands and forearms thoroughly using the COVID guidelines. Change all clothes before touching another rabbit. Double bag the body and if possible, have a vet take a liver sample for testing. If testing is not easily accessible, please ensure that the body is incinerated. Burying the carcass will infect the area of the ground where the body is buried. As far as we know at the moment, incubation remains between 2 and 9 days. If you go on to lose further animals within the next 10 days, this will be confirmation that you are likely to have an RVHD2 outbreak. You must report the presumed outbreak to the BRC office and put all of your stock in quarantine if you are a BRC member. You may not rehome any stock during the quarantine period of 4 months and should not bring any new stock in. New stock should be vaccinated before bringing into your shed after the quarantine period. Do not visit any other rabbitry or show.

Double bag any shavings and bedding removed from the dead rabbits’ hutches. Ensure that all dust and muck have been removed from the hutch. Disinfect hutches with a 1 in 10 bleach solution and follow up when dry with Virkon which is known to be effective against the virus.

If your rabbits are in separate sheds and you have a friend, relative or partner, have one person only feed in the shed where deaths have occurred. The second person should feed the stock in any unaffected shed. This will reduce the risk of spreading the infection. If you have no help, always feed rabbits in the affected shed last. Wear different footwear in the affected shed. Change and wash clothes daily. Do not share feeding bowls or bottles between stock. Once you have had 10 free days with no deaths, this outbreak can be assumed to be over however, any rabbit which has survived an infection, will shed the virus in their urine and faeces for up to 2 months. Good infection control measures remain very important.

Further, help and advice can be requested from a member of the Health and Welfare Committee for BRC members. 

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis Vaccination cannot guarantee absolute protection: vaccinated rabbits do occasionally catch Myxomatosis. However, in vaccinated rabbits, the disease is usually milder, sometimes just a single skin lesion, or a short, fairly minor illness. These infected rabbits need to be treated by a rabbit friendly vet who will report the infection to the vaccine manufacturers.

Vaccinated rabbits with Myxomatosis usually survive, whereas unvaccinated rabbits nearly always die.

Depending on the strain of the virus, it can take between one to three weeks for symptoms of myxomatosis to show. If your rabbit has been exposed to the virus, their behaviour and eating habits may change. When the virus takes hold, your rabbit's eyes, nose and genitals are usually the first parts of the body to be affected.

Symptoms of myxomatosis include:

  • swelling, redness and/or ulcers around the eyes, nose or genitals
  • runny nose
  • milky eye discharge
  • blindness caused by inflammation of the eyes
  • breathing problems
  • loss of appetite
  • low energy

Regular vaccinations against both myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease should be given to all rabbits exhibtion and pets.

 

Other Health Advise

The term stress is usually used to describe a situation in which environmental conditions are harming an individual. Stress is a state, the environmental factors that lead to stress are stressors and the individuals under stress show stress responses. Many factors influence the response of an individual to stress; these include previous experience and/or familiarity with the stressor, genetic predisposition and individual vulnerability. Stressful situations are usually associated with a lack of control and can be particularly severe if the individual is unable to predict events. The most stressful situations are often those that would be most diligently avoided in the wild.

Stressors can be categorised as emotional or physical.

Examples of stressors that may affect rabbits:

  • Novelty – examples include the first trip in a car, the first visit to a show, handling by a “stranger”
  • Fear inducing stimuli – examples include sudden noises, other animals or poor handling.
  • Social stress – examples include a lack of social contact or interactions with many individuals in a limited space.
  • Inability to perform normal behaviour patterns – examples include a lack of social contact, exercise or an inability to retreat from a stressor.
  • Pain, discomfort or illness
  • Anticipation of pain or discomfort – examples include poor or excessive handling.
  • Inability to control environmental factors – examples includes poor ventilation, temperatures at shows, travelling in a car on a hot day, and poorly lit shed.
  • Lack of space – examples include hutches and show pens.
  • Withdrawal of food or water.

 

Behaviour pattern occurring in response to various stressors:

  • Fear related behaviour – As a prey species, rabbits are likely to freeze when a fear-inducing stimulus is encountered. This may be associated with a decrease in heart rate and an increase in rapid breathing. If they have space, rabbits will also try to hide or flee from the stressor. If there appears little option they will use aggression. Occasionally displacement activities are used to deal with stress – for example chewing of novel items.
  • Anxiety related behaviour – anxiety lasts longer than fear and is usually associated with anticipation of an event or interaction. Behavioural signs include jumpiness, frequent urination and defecation.
  • Behaviour pattern due to frustration – barren environments are associated with abnormal behaviour patterns such as excessive destruction, over-grooming and self directed aggression.
  • Behaviour patterns due to position in social order – where rabbits are living in groups but have limited space and reduced access to food and water certain animals may become the target of aggression from other individuals.
  • Separation behaviour – female rabbits and youngsters may display an increase in apathy and a decrease in social behaviours associated with the suddenness of weaning.
  • Apathy of depressed behaviour – rabbits in barren environments with no social contact can appear relatively unresponsive or lethargic.