We've chosen the theme Protect & Prevent for this year's Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) (1st–9th June) because of the emergence of the strain of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease-2 (RVHD2), a new strain of the original RVHD virus that can kill rabbits within hours. RVHD2 is present across the whole of the UK and the RAW partners have been inundated with calls from distraught owners who have lost their rabbits to this deadly disease. The disease has no symptoms, so it is often too late by the time owners recognise that there is something wrong with their rabbits.
Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect against the disease but the RAW partners are warning that not enough bunnies in the UK are vaccinated, with the the most recent sales figures showing that only 137 405 vaccinations have been distributed to veterinary practices in the last year1, meaning that many practices aren't stocking the vaccine.
Our 2019 RAW campaign wants to address this issue and save the lives of as many pet rabbits in the UK as possible. We are urging rabbit owners to visit their nearest veterinary practice to get their rabbits vaccinated against RVHD2 to protect them and help prevent the spread of the disease. Even if rabbits have been vaccinated in the past against other diseases, they will still need a new vaccination for this strain.
RAW was created by Burgess Pet Care over 13 years ago to improve the health and wellbeing of Britain's pet rabbits. Supported by the UK's leading animal welfare organisations, charities and veterinary professionals, this year's campaign is a matter of life and death.
There are still so many rabbit owners who aren't aware of the disease and this needs to change. RVHD2 has already claimed the lives of too many rabbits and we don't want anyone else to lose their beloved pets to a preventable disease.
There is a common misconception that rabbits living indoors, or in cities, are safe, but this simply isn't true. There are also two other deadly diseases that affect rabbits — myxomatosis and RVHD1. All rabbits need to be protected against all three diseases through vaccination.
We're urging every vet and vet nurse out there to contact their clients to let them know about RVHD2, and to play their part in preventing the further spread of this new, deadly disease. We would also love for owners who have had their rabbits vaccinated against RVHD2, to get involved with the RAW campaign by spreading the message to all their friends with rabbits!
This year's RAW, as always, is a fantastic opportunity to help your clients learn more about one of Britain's most misunderstood animals. Visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/for-vets to request your free RAW pack full of samples, vaccination certificates, care booklets, posters, activities and tips to help you celebrate RAW in your practice.