The Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) collective is calling for support to help spread the word about the importance of vaccinations following a deadly outbreak of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD2).
RVHD2 is a fatal disease that can kill rabbits within hours, with many rabbits displaying no symptoms until it’s too late.
Rabbits who have previously been vaccinated against RHDV only will not be protected against this strain of RVHD2, so return visits to vets are being encouraged – even for rabbits who have received a primary course of vaccinations when they were young as boosters are needed to ensure immunity.
Life saver
Richard Saunders is one of the UK’s leading rabbit experts and helps guide the welfare and health strategy of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF).
Dr Saunders was responsible for getting the vaccine for RHDV2 into the UK following its initial outbreak – helping to save the lives of an estimated 70,000 rabbits.
No warning
He said: “There are three fatal viral diseases of rabbits that can be vaccinated against. RVHD1 and RVHD2 – which kill a high proportion of the rabbits infected, often so quickly there is no warning before finding them dead – and myxomatosis, which can result in a slow and painful death for rabbits suffering the worst forms of the infection.
“These diseases can be prevented by vaccination and it is absolutely vital to do this even if there haven’t been any outbreaks of these diseases in your area yet.”
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