An overview of rabbit diseases and their current vaccination protocols

Stacey Westcott
Saturday, July 2, 2022

Rabbits have become a popular household pet, and it is important that veterinary professionals are able to educate pet owners on their healthcare needs, and in particular on up to date vaccination protocols. The main problematic viral diseases that rabbits can be vaccinated against are of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD) and myxomatosis. While the original strain of RVHD, a type of calicivirus, has been present in the UK for decades, a variant of this disease first reported in France in 2010 has become a concern for many veterinary professionals and pet owners.

Figure 1. Typical presentation of myxomatosis in a wild rabbit showing purulent blepharoconjunctivitis.
Figure 1. Typical presentation of myxomatosis in a wild rabbit showing purulent blepharoconjunctivitis.

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