myxomatosis

[roughtyping]

Just a sad reminder for everyone to vaccinate their rabbits. Our poor bunny had to be put to sleep today after contracting myxomatosis.

He was booked in to have his vaccinations on Friday but was too unwell - vet initially thought it was an eye infection (rims of eyes red, starting to swell). He was okay Friday night and Saturday during the day but unusually quiet on Sat night, lots of sneezing, eyes looking worse despite antibiotics and eye drops. He hadn't moved by Sunday morning and was refusing water (although eating greens) so we phoned vet who confirmed the worst :( He wasn't too far along, his eyes were still open but he was just too unwell.

So gutted, he was a beautiful, friendly bun. So inquisitive. We've all had a wee cry :( Please get your rabbits vaccinated, even indoor bunnies, because it is a horrible disease, all the worse because it is preventable.

[roughtyping]

Oh and FWIW, for anyone keeping track of outbreaks we live just north of Glasgow.

[BlackberryIce]

Oh rough it's awful! One of ours got it 2 years ago and was put to sleep. The vet had a map and he was in contact with other vets, marking it out

Ours gets the double vaccination now. £40 a year. Money well spent

[roughtyping]

YY. Vet is within a Pets@Home and he said they're currently offering free vax to people buying rabbits there.

The advice I got from the salesman at P@H when we bought our rabbit is a different story though.

Thanks for sympathies you two. Keep going downstairs and expecting to see him wanting out :(

[roughtyping]

Yes, I think there's one quite close to me. There's also the SSPCA, one in Cardonald and one out near Dumbarton I think, they usually have buns. Think we'll get a pair if we go down that route. Vet said to thoroughly clean everything and leave it about a month - does that sound right?

[BlackberryIce]

My dad regularly kills the wild rabbits he sees who have myxi

I couldn't do that. It's a horrific disease

[BlackberryIce]

My vet said the same. Clean and leave. Then can be reused when thoroughly dry.

[FannyFifer]

We are lucky to live on a street where we all have walled gardens so a few of us have rabbits as the gardens are perfect for them.

Neighbours 2 doors up unfortunately lost their bun to myxo at Easter, they hadn't had advice re immunisations .

Our 6 year old lad gets his yearly, was sure he got it 2x a year previously but he just had vac & vet said not till next year now.
Is that correct does anyone know?

[AWomanCalledHorse]

Fanny, they've recently introduced a joint myxi/VHD jab so it's only once a year.

More info

Sorry for your loss rough.

[BlackberryIce]

Yes mine had the joint jab, once a year

[FannyFifer]

Ah, that's what it is, he used to get two jabs. My DP brought rabbit this time so didn't get the full story.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Can wild rabbits infect rabbits in runs/cages?

[cornzy]

Yes wild rabbits infect domestic rabbits.

[LadyMargolotta]

Our vet told us that mosquitoes can bite infected rabbits and then pass on the disease to other rabbits, even if they are in an enclosed garden.

[roughtyping]

Really missing our bun just now. He was such a lovely wee character. Missing my parents' dog, too, who was PTS in Nov as he was v I'll (an v old). First dog ever that I wasnt scared of.

:(

[LadyMargolotta]

roughtyping