I have two young female rabbits from the same litter. They are house rabbits who rarely go outside. Is vaccination really necessary and are there any side effects from vaccines?
A: THERE are two diseases rabbits can be vaccinated against. The first is myxomatosis and the second is viral haemorrhagic disease. You may have seen cases of myxomatosis in wild rabbits. It is a horrible disease that is almost invariably fatal. It is transmitted from wild rabbits via fleas but also through infected hay.
A vaccine can be given from six weeks of age and gives good protection. If a vaccinated rabbit still gets myxomatosis it is often mild and not fatal.
Viral haemorrhagic disease kills rabbits suddenly without warning. It causes internal bleeding and owners may suspect that the rabbit has died of heat stroke or had a heart attack. The only way to diagnose these cases is via a post-mortem examination. This virus is more easily transmitted.
It can survive for months in the environment and can be transmitted by the wind, bird droppings, in hay and on the shoes of anyone that has been in contact with wild rabbits. It is because of this risk that house rabbits should still be vaccinated. Vaccination is from 10 to 12 weeks and is very effective. Side effects are very rare in both cases.
A rabbit may be quieter for a day with some mild irritation at the site of the injection.
David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Write to him at Express Yourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.