Vaccinations
Vaccinations for rabbits for myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic 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.[1]:90 It must be given by subcutaneous injection into the scruff of the neck to healthy animals.[1]:88 Boosters should be given annually.
It is not advisable to administer both myxomatosis and RHD vaccines separately at the same time. At least 2 weeks should elapse between vaccinations.[1]: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 RHD virus.[1]: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.[1]:88
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease vaccine
The RHD vaccine is given to rabbits at least 4 weeks of age (depending on brand) and can also be given during pregnancy.[1]:90 It must be given entirely subcutaneously and dispersed by massaging the injection area thoroughly.[1]:90 Boosters should be given annually.
It is not advisable to administer both myxomatosis and RHD vaccine at the same time. At least 2 weeks should elapse between vaccinations.[1]: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. Minimum age is 10 weeks.
- 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. Minimum age is 5 weeks.
- Eravac is only effective against RHDV2. It takes 7 days for onset of immunity after the shot. Minimum age is 30 days.
- 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. Minimum age is 7 weeks.
Possible side effects of the RHD vaccine include the following:
- a limp that may last for a few days. If it persists for over 2 days, please contact your vet.[2]
- for Eravac:[3]
- 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 RHD but not against myxomatosis.[4]
Pet rabbits in the United Kingdom can be vaccinated against both myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease.[5]
Rabbits in the United States can generally be vaccinated against rabbit hemorrhagic disease but not myxo. Myxomatosis is harbored as a trivial infection in some native rabbit species, and no approved vaccines are currently generally available for the disease in the US. RHD is endemic in the United Sates, and veterinarians in most states should be able to provide Medgene Lab's RHDV2 vaccines. Please see this page for a list of US veterinary clinics that may currently be offering an RHDV2 vaccine.
Rabbits in Canada can generally be vaccinated against RHD with Filavac. Please see this page for a list of Canadian veterinary clinics that may currently be offering an RHDV2 vaccine.
Further reading
- Save a Fluff, Important injections / vaccinations for your rabbits
- Rabbit Rehome, Rabbit Vaccinations
- Cats & Co, Rabbit Vaccinations
- RSPCA, Rabbit vaccinations
- The Rabbit House, Vaccinations – Protect Your Bunny Myxi-VHD Combo
- Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Deadly, But Preventable: What rabbit owners need to know about myxomatosis & VHD. Published 2006.
- AEMVvets (Instagram), Vaccines save lives: Protect your rabbit patients!
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Varga, M. (2013). Textbook of rabbit medicine. (2nd ed.).
- ↑ Save a Fluff. (n.d.). Important injections / vaccinations for your rabbits. Retrieved 01 Apr 2019 from https://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/vaccinations
- ↑ European Medicines Agency. (2016). Eravac (rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine, inactivated). Retrieved 01 Apr 2019 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/overview/eravac-epar-medicine-overview_en.pdf
- ↑ Melbourne Rabbit Clinic. (n.d.). Vaccinations. Retrieved 30 Mar 2016 from http://www.melbournerabbitclinic.com/wordpress/?page_id=286
- ↑ Save a Fluff. (n.d.). Important injections / vaccinations for your rabbits. Retrieved 30 Mar 2016 from http://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/vaccinations