Post by animalexpert on Sept 9, 2005 8:49:59 GMT
What is myxomatosis?
Myxomatosis is a viral disease which decimated the wild rabbit population when it arrived in Britain 40 years ago. The number and severity of outbreaks varies over time: the myxomatosis virus is notorious for its ability to mutate from year to year, and the background immunity in the wild rabbit population also varies.
Britain - particularly southern areas (the south west, Hampshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire) suffered a severe outbreak of myxomatosis in autumn 2000, which was thought to have been caused by a more virulent strain than had occurred in recent years. A handful of reports of vaccinated rabbits developing myxi in these areas led to a suspicion that vaccination may not be fully effective against this possible new strain of myxomatosis and served as a reminder to all rabbit owners that vaccination is just one of a series of measures that have to be taken to protect pet rabbits from this deadly disease.
Is your rabbit vaccinated?
Domestic rabbits do not have any genetically based immunity against myxomatosis. If an unvaccinated pet rabbit catches myxomatosis, it will almost certainly die. Pet rabbits at greatest risk are those which live outside, in contact with wild rabbits or hares, or affected by rabbit fleas - so rabbit owners who also have a dog or cat that hunts wild rabbits must be particularly careful.
However, myxi can also be spread by mosquitoes, so any standing or stagnant pools of water where mosquitoes may breed should be removed. The virus can survive in overwintering fleas and mosquitoes sheltering in hay and in houses. It can also be spread by Cheyletiella fur mites,
Houserabbits are at less risk than outdoor rabbits, but can and do get myxomatosis. They must be vaccinated and protected from possible sources of myxomatosis transmission too.
For more information visit: www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/understanding_myxo.htm (RabbitWelfare.co.uk)
Myxomatosis is a viral disease which decimated the wild rabbit population when it arrived in Britain 40 years ago. The number and severity of outbreaks varies over time: the myxomatosis virus is notorious for its ability to mutate from year to year, and the background immunity in the wild rabbit population also varies.
Britain - particularly southern areas (the south west, Hampshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire) suffered a severe outbreak of myxomatosis in autumn 2000, which was thought to have been caused by a more virulent strain than had occurred in recent years. A handful of reports of vaccinated rabbits developing myxi in these areas led to a suspicion that vaccination may not be fully effective against this possible new strain of myxomatosis and served as a reminder to all rabbit owners that vaccination is just one of a series of measures that have to be taken to protect pet rabbits from this deadly disease.
Is your rabbit vaccinated?
Domestic rabbits do not have any genetically based immunity against myxomatosis. If an unvaccinated pet rabbit catches myxomatosis, it will almost certainly die. Pet rabbits at greatest risk are those which live outside, in contact with wild rabbits or hares, or affected by rabbit fleas - so rabbit owners who also have a dog or cat that hunts wild rabbits must be particularly careful.
However, myxi can also be spread by mosquitoes, so any standing or stagnant pools of water where mosquitoes may breed should be removed. The virus can survive in overwintering fleas and mosquitoes sheltering in hay and in houses. It can also be spread by Cheyletiella fur mites,
Houserabbits are at less risk than outdoor rabbits, but can and do get myxomatosis. They must be vaccinated and protected from possible sources of myxomatosis transmission too.
For more information visit: www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/understanding_myxo.htm (RabbitWelfare.co.uk)