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Rabbit health care We know that vaccination is important, but is this enough to keep our rabbits healthy?
Prevention is better than cure; rabbits should be kept clean and checked carefully twice daily. Topical treatments are available on prescription which can be applied to the back end every 12 weeks to help repel flies.
Vaccination
Parasite Control Worming Routine worming of rabbits is NOT recommended. If you think your rabbit has intestinal worms, speak to your vet as they will likely test a faecal sample.
Myxomatosis Myxomatosis infection causes swelling of the eyes and genitals, weakness, blindness and rapidly death. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and other biting insects, so both indoor and outdoor rabbits can be exposed. Infected rabbits also shed the virus on to their surroundings. Myxomatosis is very prevalent in the wild rabbit population and virus can easily be brought inside on shoes or clothing.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) VHD causes fatal disease including profuse bleeding. In many rabbits VHD causes “sudden death” without obvious illness first. Most of these rabbits are buried at home and not taken to the vet, so we suspect incidence of VHD is actually much higher than reported. VHD is also spread by biting insects as well as on objects including clothing and shoes. Two variants of VHD are able to be vaccinated against; VHD-1 and VHD-2.
Fly-strike Fly strike occurs when flies lay their eggs around the rabbit’s back end. Within 24 hours these mature into maggots which start eating the rabbits flesh. This often causes immense damage and can be fatal. Fly strike happens more often in warm weather, and in rabbits who have soiled fur (often due to poor diet, obesity or arthritis).
Diet
Greens*
Correct feeding is essential for good rabbit health. Poor diet can lead to dental disease, obesity, gut stasis and malnutrition amongst other problems.
Mxyo, VHD-1 and VHD- 2 protection are now available in one injection. Depending on what your rabbit has had previously, two separate vaccines may be needed to ensure they respond correctly.
10%
5%
The perfect diet is composed of:
Pellets
85%
*See rabbitwelfare.co.uk for a great list of safe fresh foods to buy and forage!
Hay/Grass
20
21
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