Rabbits are susceptible, like any other pet, to contracting diseases, for this reason if you have or are thinking of adopting a rabbit, you should be clear about the rabbit vaccines.
There are two types of vaccines, Required and Recommended, which may vary from country to country. However, there are two vaccines that we should not overlook, especially if we live in Europe or have a specific race.
Keep reading this article on our site about rabbit vaccines to find out which ones are right for your rabbit.
Two essential vaccines
The two most important vaccinations for a pet rabbit are myxomatosis and homorrhagic disease. Both are diseases with a mortality rate close to 100% and highly contagious, which can even affect a domestic rabbit living with humans and without other congeners, although it is true that the danger multiplies when several specimens share space.
- The myxomatosis decimated the rabbit population in the Spanish mountains in the 1970s and was a determining factor in the compromised situation in which the survival of the Iberian lynx is seen. To date, it has not yet been possible to control the epidemic among wild rabbits, but thanks to the vaccine, unpleasantness with pets can be avoided.
- viral hemorrhage is a disease with a sudden evolution. After passing one to three days of the incubation period, it manifests itself suddenly and causes death in a few hours (between 12 and 36 hours). The rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus produces autopsies in the internal tissues of the animal, which, given the rapid evolution of the disease, sometimes does not take time to detect.
Most rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus strains can be prevented by vaccination, although France has reported the existence of a resistant strain on its territory.
From two you can vaccinate a rabbit
Rabbits cannot be vaccinated until they are two months old, and it is recommended to space both vaccinations, myxomatosis and hemorrhagic fever, two weeks, according to the guidelines of the Madrid Veterinary College, and instead of applying them jointly.
By analogy with other mammals, the application of several vaccines at the same time to kits of very small breeds, such as the case of dwarf rabbits, leaves open the possibility that the animal could develop any of the diseases against which they are intended to be immunized.
How often should a rabbit be vaccinated?
Once the rabbits have received their two vaccines (hemorrhagic fever and myxomatosis), they must be renewed annually in the case of hemorrhagic virus, and at least every six months if we talk about myxomatosis in countries where there is still an epidemic.
The ideal time to vaccinate rabbits against hemorrhagic disease and against myxomatosis is spring, since summer is when there is an increase in cases of these diseases, although it can be done throughout year.
The exotic species veterinarian is the one who can best advise us depending on the country where each one resides and the rabbit breed, because some are more susceptible to contagion than others. It will also tell us which of the two existing myxomatosis vaccines is the most appropriate for each case.
In epidemic areas, for rabbits that live in the countryside or just visit to play, the frequency of vaccination against myxomatosis can be up to four vaccinations a year, because after three months the vaccine loses some effectiveness.
Other rabbit vaccines
When there are many rabbits sharing space the advisability of vaccinating them in autumn against bacterial respiratory diseases will be studied. These pathologies, if they occur, are treatable with antibiotics.
There are different diseases that can affect a rabbit, for this reason it is important to know them in depth if we have several specimens living together.
Other preventive care for rabbits
In addition to vaccinations, rabbits must be internally dewormed and it is also necessary to ensure that they do not contractexternal parasites attending to the hygiene of the animal's habitat. Humidity and lack of hygiene can be the cause of fungus or even scabies.
Mange could also appear in very old cages, as the corners are always difficult to clean perfectly. Both fungal infections and scabies are treatable diseases, although prevention will always be the best option for the well-being of our pet.
If you have a rabbit or are thinking of adopting one, do not hesitate to browse our site to find out a name for your rabbit, learn about rabbit care or rabbit feeding.
