Rabbit welfare advice and information
Important notice VHD ALERT Please read
I am currently getting an increased number of phone calls from distressed people finding their new baby rabbits dead for no apparent reason. The first thing I ask is are they vaccinated? I am getting mixed anwers. Either no I did not no they needed vaccinating because the breeder did not tell me, or the breeder told me they were all ready vaccinated.
To make things clear, a baby rabbit must be vaccinated against MIXI , VHD 1 AND VHD 2 from eight weeks old. This vaccine is called nobivac mixi plus. The trade price of this vaccine is about £45, if you have paid £50 for a rabbit it is not possable they have been fully vaccinated all ready, as any breeder would have to put the cost of this on the baby rabbits. What some breeders are doing is only vaccinating against VHD 2, this is much cheaper as 50 dose bottles can be obtained costing around £5 per dose. Please be clear this does not make the rabbits fully vaccinated. The VHD 2 vaccine does not protect them against VHD1 or mixi.
If you have recently bought a baby rabbit from any where and are not sure on vaccines please call your vet for advice, or call me I am happy to help, it saddens me to think baby rabbits are dying due to lack of advice, every rabbit not vaccinated is in danger even house rabbits. Once your rabbit has been vaccinated do not put them outside on the ground until two weeks afterwoods. And remember they need boosters anually.
VHD KILLS within 2 hours of contacting it, No warning or symptoms.