Vaccinations

Vaccinations for rabbits for myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease are available in several parts of the world and are advisable if available. Rabbits that catch either of the diseases are generally not expected to recover, and euthanasia is the common decision when diagnosed.

Myxomatosis vaccine
The myxomatosis vaccine can be given to rabbits over 6 weeks of age and should not be given to pregnant does. :90 It must be given by subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck to healthy animals. :88 Boosters should be given annually.

It is not advisable to administer both myxomatosis and VHD vaccines separately at the same time. At least 2 weeks should elapse between vaccinations. :90

Nobivac Myxo-RHD is a vaccine available that protects rabbits against myxomatosis as well as the original variant of RHD. It is manufactured from a laboratory-derived attenuated strain of myxomatosis and a capsid protein from a German VHD virus. :88

Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus is a new vaccine available that protects rabbits against myxomatosis as well as both variants of RHD. It takes 3 weeks for onset of immunity after the shot.

Some rabbits may show a 1- to 2-cm swelling at the injection site during the week following vaccination, but they should generally resolve without treatment. :88

Viral haemorrhagic disease vaccine
The VHD vaccine is given to rabbits over 10 weeks of age and can also be given during pregnancy. :90 It must be given entirely subcutaneously and dispersed by massaging the injection area thoroughly. :90 Boosters should be given annually.

It is not advisable to administer both myxomatosis and VHD vaccine at the same time. At least 2 weeks should elapse between vaccinations. :90

Different vaccinations may be required to cover both RHDV1 and RHDV2.


 * Filavac is effective against both the original variant of RHD and RHDV2. It takes 7 days for onset of immunity after the shot.
 * Nobivac Myxo-RHD is the most common vaccine used in the UK that protects rabbits against the original variant of RHD as well as myxomatosis. Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus is a new vaccine available that protects rabbits against myxomatosis as well as both variants of RHD. It takes 3 weeks for onset of immunity after the shot.
 * Eravac is only effective against RHDV2. It takes 7 days for onset of immunity after the shot.
 * Medgene Labs has developed a 2-dose domestic RHDV2 vaccine currently available only in the US. The two doses should be given 3 weeks apart, with onset of immunity 2 weeks after the 2nd shot.

Possible side effects of the VHD vaccine include the following:


 * a limp that may last for a few days. If it persists for over 2 days, please contact your vet.
 * for Eravac:
 * a short-lived increase in body temperature to slightly above 40C between 2-3 days following vaccination. The slight temperature increase should resolve spontaneously without treatment within 5 days.
 * nodules or swellings less than 2cm in size at the injection site. The local reactions should resolve spontaneously within 24 hours.

Further reading


 * Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund. (2018). RVHD – Further Reading

Where are vaccinations available?
Rabbits in Australia can be vaccinated against VHD but not against myxomatosis.

Pet rabbits in the United Kingdom can be vaccinated against both myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease.

Rabbits in the United States cannot generally be vaccinated against either diseases in most areas. While outbreaks of RHD do happen occasionally, and myxomatosis is harbored as a trivial infection in some native rabbit species, no approved vaccines are currently generally available for the disease in the US. However, veterinarians in select states may be able to purchase Medgene Lab's RHDV2 vaccines base on their state veterinarian approval.

Rabbits in Canada cannot generally be vaccinated against either disease. There are no approved vaccines for rabbits currently generally available in the country. However, veterinarians in the British Columbia and Alberta may be approved to import the European RHD vaccines with emergency approval due to outbreaks.