Viral Haemorrhagic Disease - 26/05/2005

HOW DOES A RABBIT GET VHD?
Direct contact with other rabbits, in water, in food, on people, clothing, objects, vermin, other domestic pets, birds droppings and through the air. It only takes 100 virus particles to make an infective dose (millions would fit on a pin head). The virus survives a long time in the environment so even indoor rabbits can be affected.


HOW CAN I STOP MY RABBIT GETTING VHD?
The only reliable way to protect your bunny is to have him/her vaccinated. Then they are safe.


WHAT HAPPENS IF MY RABBIT CATCHES VHD?
Some rabbits may drop dead without any outward signs of being ill. Others may suffer the following symptoms: high temperature, anorexia, lethargy, spasms
difficulty breathing, bleeding from the nose, mouth and anus. 80-100% of susceptible rabbits will die of the disease and very few recover even with the best care.

Every rabbit is at risk and the only way to protect your rabbit is to have them vaccinated and to keep their yearly boosters up to date.