Vets in Bicester and Aylesbury caring for your pets

Vaccinations for rabbits

What vaccinations do rabbits need?

All rabbits should be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD).

When should young rabbits first be vaccinated?

We advise young rabbits have their Myxomatosis vaccination as soon as possible after they are 8 weeks old. The VHD vaccine should be given 2 weeks later.

How often are booster vaccinations needed?

Booster vaccinations are needed every 6 months for Myxomatosis and yearly for VHD. We send reminders through the post to help you remember when your rabbit's vaccines are due.

What are the diseases we vaccinate against?

Myxomatosis is a viral disease which causes an infected rabbit to become depressed, have a temperature and stop eating. It is characterised by swellings and discharges around the eyes, nose and genital areas. Treatment is rarely successful and affected rabbits suffer awfully. There is a much less common skin form of the condition which presents with mild lethargy and lumpy lesions on the skin – these cases can be successfully treated. Myxomatosis is spread by biting insects including fleas and mosquitoes.

Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a viral disease of rabbits which is rapidly fatal. Bloody diarrhoea is occasionally seen, but most rabbits are found dead or severely depressed and collapsed. The VHD virus is extremely hardy and survives for a long time in the environment. It is spread through direct and even in-direct contact - this means the virus can easily be brought into your home or garden on contaminated shoes, food and bedding.

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The Hart Veterinary Centre, Browning Drive, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 2XL