Vaccinations For Rabbits

 

Taranaki Rabbits Should Be Vaccinated For:

 

Calicivirus Vaccination

There is currently a vaccination available for rabbits in New Zealand, for Calicivirus (also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease or Viral Haemorrhagic Disease). Calicivirus is common in New Zealand and is one of the more common causes of sudden death in rabbits.

 

How do rabbits get Calicivirus?

Calicivirus can be spread in a number of ways. It is commonly spread from contact with sick rabbits or with their faeces, urine or nasal discharge. It can also be spread by the wind or be transferred from clothing, hay, cages or bowls etc. Small biting insects like mosquitos and flies can also spread the disease from rabbit to rabbit over long distances.

 

What are the signs of Calicivirus?

After contracting the virus, the virus incubates in the rabbit for 1-3 days. Following incubation rabbits may start to seem painful and show neurological changes (seizures, strange movements etc.), however a lot of rabbits show no obvious signs except sudden death. Animals that die may have bleeding from their nose or eyes. Most pet rabbits that are exposed to the virus will die (about 90%).

There are other common causes of sudden death in rabbits that can look the same, so to work out whether Calicivirus was the cause of death a post-mortem at the laboratory is necessary.

 

How do I prevent Calicivirus?

Rabbits can be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age. They will need a booster at 12 weeks of age. If they have their first vaccination at 12 weeks old or older they will not need a booster again that year.

 

Times to vaccinate:

• 8 weeks old
• 12 weeks old
• 15 months old
• yearly from then on 

If you have any questions about vaccinating your rabbit please contact us, we are happy to help.