The organisers of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) have revealed this year’s Protect and Prevent campaign has been the most successful RAW campaign ever.
The Protect and Prevent campaign was aimed at increasing the number of rabbits vaccinated against the latest deadly strain of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD2) sweeping the country.
Sales up
And it had the desired impact, with more than 5,000 campaign packs downloaded from the RAW website, while feedback from partner practices has shown an increase in the number of RVHD2 vaccines being administered to rabbits.
A comparison of sales figures of the RVHD2 vaccines from June 2019 against June 2018 shows a 55% increase in the uptake of vaccinations from the veterinary sector year-on-year*.
Nationwide events
During the campaign (1-9 June), practices were also urged to ensure they stocked vaccines to protect rabbits against other fatal diseases, such as RVHD and myxomatosis.
Hundreds of veterinary practices held events throughout RAW to help raise awareness of this year’s campaign and the importance of vaccinations.
Widespread
RAW veterinary advisor Richard Saunders said: “We heard lots of heart-breaking stories from owners and vets alike about rabbits, sometimes whole groups of rabbits, which had not been vaccinated.
“None of those people realised just how widespread the RVHD2 is, and how easy it is to pick it up. We will continue to campaign and share our message that it is very much better late than never to vaccinate rabbits against all three killer diseases of rabbits: myxomatosis, RVHD 1 and 2.“
Threat remains
RVHD2 still poses a significant threat to pet rabbits as the disease continues to spread.
Jane Tyson, scientific officer and rabbit behaviour and welfare expert at the RSPCA, added: “As more vaccines are being sold into veterinary practices, we continue to urge rabbit owners to speak with their vet to ensure their pets receive regular vaccinations and health checks, which are a vital part of keeping their rabbits healthy and safe.”
* IMAP – Sales figures for RVHD2 vaccinations