Te Awamutu: Rabbit owners urged to vaccinate pets against new virus

Pet rabbits need to be vaccinated now as a new strain of virus will be released in the Waikato region by mid-April to control the wild rabbit population.

The imminent release of a new strain of rabbit disease isn't the news the Easter Bunny and his mates wanted to hear — but there is help for pet rabbits.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) virus will be released in the Waikato region by mid-April to control the wild rabbit population.

Already released in some South Island regions, it is likely to spread throughout New Zealand, so the New Zealand Veterinary Association recommends that all pet rabbits are vaccinated against RHD virus infection.

VetEnt Te Awamutu veterinary nurse Carin Blackett with her patient Mello the rabbit.

RHD is caused by a virus from the Calicivirus family.

It only affects rabbits and was first introduced into the South Island of New Zealand illegally in 1997.

Local veterinarian, Fiona Walkinton from VetEnt Te Awamutu, says RHD is highly contagious, and when contracted, rabbits can become quiet, go off their food, become comatose and die within one to two days after being infected.

"Often they are just found dead," says Fiona.

"Pet owners may not ever realise their pet is ill, as many rabbits do not show outward symptoms.

"Vaccination is the most reliable form of prevention and protection against RHD for pet rabbits," says Fiona.

"We recommend rabbits should first be vaccinated at 10 weeks, again at 14 weeks and then continued annually for the life of the rabbit."

She says the vaccine does have potential side effects which owners can discuss with the veterinarian.

Pet rabbits can catch the virus in a number of ways — most commonly through contact with other infected rabbits, infected waste products, hay/bedding and from insects such as mosquitoes and flies.

As well as the vaccination, there are some standard biosecurity measures that can be taken to aid in prevention.

Pet owners can reduce the risk of their pet rabbits contracting the virus by reducing flies in the environment, giving fresh food daily, housing rabbits indoors, preventing contact with wild rabbits, regularly disinfecting the hutch and quarantining any new rabbits for a week to ensure they are not unwell before introducing them to your hutch.

VetEnt Te Awamutu is hosting special rabbit vaccination Mondays as part of its campaign to ensure that all pet rabbits are protected.