There have been increasing reports of myxomatosis in domestic and wild rabbits throughout the UK. There is a very efficient vaccine available against this terrible disease and it should be given at least annually or in areas of high risk, every 6 months. This disease is transmitted by biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes, so does not require direct contact with an infected animal. The high rainfall this summer seems to have resulted in increased numbers of the vectors (biting insects) and this is reported to be the reason for the increase in prevalence of the disease.
Symptoms to watch out for are
- Swollen eyes
- localised swellings around the head, face, ears, lips, anus and genitalia.
- Severe swellings can lead to blindness and distortion
- Bacterial respiratory infection often complicates the disease resulting in a fatal pneumonia.
A rabbit with Myxomatosis
There is also a vaccination available against Hemorrhagic Viral Diarrhoea - another viral disease that effects rabbits.