The major means of transmission is via insects and birds which are a significant source of infection. The incubation period is short and death occurs 12 to 36 hours afterwards. There are many clinical signs such as high temperature, anorexia, lethargy and dullness, convulsions, incoordination, paralysis, groaning, breathing problems and bloodstained discharge from the nose.
Numerous signs can be present together. The acute form of the disease usually presents with sudden death. These rabbits usually die 1 to 2 weeks later. Vaccination is the only effective method of control. Symptoms may include:. Vale Vets are never phased no matter what animal we bring in or how busy they are, they are always bright, helpful, willing to … Read more.
I have always found David and his team to be … Read more. The viruses can survive for months in the environment, and are terrifyingly easy to bring home to your pets. They survive cold very well. All pet rabbits should be vaccinated against both strains.
There is no way of predicting where the next outbreak will strike, and no practical way of shielding your pet rabbits from all the possible sources of infection. Vaccination is the only way to be safe. RVHD vaccines are very effective. Your rabbits can currently be protected against both strains of RVHD. Owners are often unaware that their rabbit is even ill as VHD can be fatal in a matter of hours. A percentage of VHD2 rabbits do survive, but the exact amount is still unclear.
Vaccination is essential and very successful. Your rabbit can be vaccinated against VHD1 when it reaches 5 weeks of age. The vaccination that is now given to rabbits combines the VHD1 and myxomatosis vaccination together. Rabbits who have previously been vaccinated with any other brand of myxomatosis vaccine, other than the Nobivac Myxo vaccine, may fail to respond to the VHD element of the combined myxomatosis and VHD vaccination. If you feel your rabbit may be one of these, you should speak to your vet.
Pregnant does and bucks intended for breeding should not be vaccinated with the combined Myxo-RHD vaccination since safety of the vaccination in these groups has not been tested. Your rabbit will require a booster injection every year to ensure continued protection against the disease. The vaccine is given to rabbits over the age of 10 weeks and requires a single initial vaccine followed by a 6 monthly booster in areas where VHD2 cases have been confirmed, or an annual booster in low risk areas.
A two week gap must be left between giving Filavac and Nobivac Myxo-RHD vaccines as no clinical trials have been undertaken with the use of the two vaccines together. This vaccine requires an initial vaccination from 4 weeks of age which is repeated after 3 weeks and then an annual booster; two weeks must be left between the vaccine and Nobivac Myxo-RHD. The vaccine is oil based so skin reactions are much more likely. The vaccine can be administered from 4 weeks of age and requires a further vaccine 6 weeks later with boosters every 6 months.
As the vaccine only comes in multidose vials, it has currently not proven popular in the UK! Your vet will be able to advise on their vaccination protocol and the available vaccine s they have in stock. All your rabbits bedding and food should be bought from reputable pet shops to ensure there is no contamination. If you live in a high-risk area, consider hanging insect repellent strips and mosquito netting over your rabbits hutch to prevent him coming into contact with VHD vectors.
You should also ensure that your rabbits bedding is kept clean and dry, to avoid attracting unwanted insects. Make sure your garden is not accessible to wild rabbits and other wildlife; this will prevent your rabbit coming into contact with wild rabbit carrying the disease.
If you have other pets that come into contact with your rabbit, such as dogs or cats, make sure they are also regularly treated for fleas with a product from your veterinary surgery, as these are potent enough to ensure the fleas, larvae and eggs are all killed.
Italian microbiologist Sanarelli first reported myxomatosis in , when a laboratory rabbit colony he had imported into Uruguay for public health research suddenly died of an extremely infectious disease.
The virus was identified in the s and has subsequently been used in the biological control of rabbit populations in Australia and France in the s. It spread from France to the UK in where it decimated the European wild rabbit population and is now widespread both in wild and domestic rabbits in the UK.
Myxomatosis is an infectious disease caused by the myxoma virus which is spread by biting flies or fleas and by mechanical vectors such as non-biting insects, bedding and food.
The virus causes cells of the epidermis the outermost layer of the skin to die, and an accumulation of fluid beneath the dermis the layer of skin below the epidermis.
The virus is usually introduced by biting insects, which causes local skin trauma, the introduction of the virus into the bloodstream and multiple skin eruptions a rash. Myxomatosis is widespread throughout the UK and has a higher seasonal prevalence in late summer, autumn and early winter.
Both sexes and all breeds of rabbit can be affected with myxomatosis. The main form of transmission is via insects like the rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi and mosquitoes. Dog and cat fleas can also carry the virus. The virus is also found in discharges, and transmission by mechanical vectors such as non-biting insects, bedding and food also occurs.
The virus can remain in the blood of the insect for many months and the ability of the bacteria to cause the disease can vary from year to year. Signs of disease usually show within 8 days of transmission and the duration of illness usually lasts between 11 and 18 days. Death usually occurs within 14 days of infection from an overwhelming bacterial infection or acute respiratory infection. The most obvious signs of infection are swelling of the lips, eyelids and genitals; infected rabbits can also suffer from a high temperature pyrexia , depression, localised skin nodules lumps and noisy, laboured breathing.
Wild rabbits tend not to survive as long as domestic rabbits, as blindness and debility make them susceptible to predation from foxes and road accidents. Pet rabbits however, can survive longer with nursing care, but are usually put to sleep on humane grounds to prevent unnecessary suffering. Fifty percent of rabbits usually survive the chronic nodular form; those affected with the chronic form may survive following infection; but the acute form is fatal and affected rabbits usually die within 2 weeks.
Vaccinated rabbits can also be affected but show less severe signs and are more often than not possible to nurse through the disease, although nursing care can be intensive and take many weeks if not months. If you are unsure of the status of wild rabbits in your area, contact your local farmer, as they are often able to give an indication of current disease in a geographical area.
A combined vaccination is available for myxomatosis which also vaccinates against viral haemorrhagic disease 1 VHD1. Immunity develops within 21 days of vaccination; your vet will examine your rabbit to ensure they are healthy at the time of vaccination, since rabbits already fighting illness may not respond to vaccination. Vaccination can be started at 5 weeks of age and is best given in May or June before the peak myxomatosis season in late summer and autumn.
The vaccine is not recommended in pregnant does or bucks used for breeding. An annual booster is sufficient to protect against both myxomatosis and VHD1. Your rabbit will require a separate vaccination to protect against VHD2. Make sure your garden is not accessible to wild rabbits; this will prevent your rabbit coming into contact with wild rabbits that may be carrying the disease. If you have other pets that come into contact with your rabbit, such as dogs or cats, make sure they are also regularly treated for fleas with products available from your veterinary surgery.
The order of herpes viruses is known as Herpesvirales ; it is a large group of viruses that includes various strains that infect humans and many types of animals through direct contact with body fluids. The herpes virus is highly contagious and is characterised by latent and recurring infections. It inhabits the cells of the body and lies dormant until it is triggered to re-emerge.
During the active stage of the disease, herpes virus replication within cells causes development of tissue lesions in the affected area.
Many strains of the herpes virus produce external blisters and sores on the skin and these are highly contagious and can be transmittable between species. Some species of herpes virus can be transmitted between humans and animals but transmission from animals to humans is rare. A form of the virus that is thought to be specific to humans, but the external lesions make it easily transmittable to other species, including pet rabbits. One of the most common ways HSV-1 can affect rabbits is by infecting the eyes.
Signs of this condition can include watery eyes, squinting, conjunctivitis redness around the eyelids , ulceration of the cornea and blindness. It is a condition that can come and go as the virus re-emerges after periods of dormancy. Exposure of the HSV-1 strain to pet rabbits has also rarely resulted in brain lesions. This condition leads to seizures, coma and death. A form of the virus specific to domestic rabbits and is the most common naturally acquired strain of herpes virus in pet rabbits.
0コメント