What is it about?
In 2021 there were 900 000 pet rabbits living in the UK, and 2% of adults owned a rabbit (PDSA, 2021). According to the PAW report 2021, a higher proportion had been neutered and were insured in 2021, while the proportion that have received regular boosters has decreased when compared with pre-pandemic levels (PDSA, 2021) — 50% (450 000 rabbits) are not receiving regular boosters (higher than pre-pandemic levels — 42% in February 2020). There are a number of viral diseases against which rabbits should be vaccinated, including myxomatosis and rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD). This article examines the current protocols for prevention and treatment of rabbit diseases and advice that can help prevent and be given to pet owners regarding husbandry.
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Why is it important?
With new vaccines being developed and enhanced to prevent diseases over time, it is important to understand the need and uses of these preventative treatments. It is also important to outline areas where we can help to prevent the spread of disease and infection in our rabbit species related to husbandry and care, so that we can better educate ourselves and pet owners.
Perspectives
I thoroughly enjoyed researching into this article particularly the history of the diseases and how they can spread across the world's population of rabbits. I hope that this article will help other's understand the diseases in more detail, so they can use this information to better educate pet owners.
Stacey Westcott
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: An overview of rabbit diseases and their current vaccination protocols, The Veterinary Nurse, July 2022, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/vetn.2022.13.6.256.
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