TUCANA

These two handsome chaps are a couple of our first lionhead baby rabbits. We do occassionally breed some new stock. If you are Interested in owning one of these rabbits check out my FOR SALE section to see whats currently available.

My first two Lionheads, bought from a local pet shop in 2001.This is Lunar on the right a Augouti female and Bugs onthe left a grey male. Both are no longer with me, having passed away last year in 2007.Most of the bunnies I have at present are  decendents from these two.

FEEDING 

Research has shown that feeding your pet rabbit high-energy commercial pet food can lead to  boredom, tooth problems and even aggression problems. Recent veterinary research working closely with rabbit food companies has shown that feeding rabbits a healthy diet could prevent most of the common illnesses that they suffer from.

Think about it, the same as you are what you eat your rabbit is what it eats - only difference is that your rabbit's health depends entirely on the food you feed it. An incorrect diet can be a factor in contributing to some of  these common pet rabbit problems:

Disease ( an unhealthy rabbit would be more susceptible to any disease)

Enteritis

Obesity

Diarrhoea

Dental problems including overgrown teeth

Some of the above conditions could be fatal to your pet rabbit.  You could significantly reduce the risk of your rabbit developing any of these conditions just by feeding it the right diet. There is little or no cure for rabbits with rear and front teeth problems. Rabbits who develop diarrhoea risk death.

The pet rabbit  obviously descended from the wild rabbit. In the wild rabbits are grazers feeding mostly on grasses and hay, it has become very well adapted to living on this food supply. Some of theses grasses and hay are very poor quality especially at certain times of the year.

This natural diet is low in energy and high in fibre, keeping wild rabbits' teeth and waistlines healthy. They spend a lot of their time searching, grazing and eating food. As a result wild rabbits are much less likely to suffer from the conditions mentioned above, because of the fibre content in their diet.

Common sense therefore should tell us that the correct diet for a pet rabbit is one that is high in fibre. Hay is high in fibre and should therefore make up 80 - 90% of your rabbit's diet. Might not seem interesting to you but there again you are not a rabbit are you?!  Don't be fooled by all the products available in the pet shops look closely at the packaging and you will find that they have statements such as "feed in moderation," "do not over feed treats", "only for occasional use", "to be used as a complimentary food" which means that it should be fed alongside another food source which is HAY.

If you are feeding your rabbit an incorrect diet DO NOT just change today or tomorrow. Any changes you make should be gradual, over a period of say 1 to 2 weeks. You may have been lucky feeding an incorrect diet for years and appear to have a healthy looking bunny, but as with all living things fed unhealthy diets you may be shortening your rabbits life considerably. Your rabbit cant ask you to change its diet you have to be responsible and provided a good healthy diet for them. 

                                I am pleased to share my knowledge and experience

                            with others in order to promote the care and welfare of rabbits. 
      If you think your rabbits is ill or suffering you should seek qualified veterinary advice immediately. 
      Any delay in seeking medical advice could result in the death of your rabbit.

VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease)

The virus

This virus is very stable in the environment. It survives for around 225 days at 4ºC, and 105 days at room temperature. It is also stable during freezing temperatures. The major means of transmission for this virus is via birds and insects which are a significant source of infection. It can also be transmitted on shoes, clothing, live and dead animals and numerous other soruces!

The Disease

The incubation period is short and death occurs 12 to 36 hours afterwards. There can be many clinical signs such as a high temperature, anorexia, lethargy  , convulsions, incoordination, paralysis, breathing problems and bloodstained discharge from the nose/anus. Numerous signs can be present together. Amazingley  some rabbits can show no symptom at all! and  sudden death is all that allerts the owner to problems!!!  In more unusual cases (about 5-10%), a chronic condition can occur with severe jaundice and weight loss.

Testing

There are many methods of testing for VHD, but the most accurate method is by post mortem examination, since death usually occurs quickly and without warning.

Vaccination

A highly effective vaccine is available from veterinary surgeons, and this offers the only means of protection against this deadly disease.Be warned there is NO cure once your rabbit has the virus death is more than likey enevitable!!!

VHD spreads very easily. It can cover long distances and some outbreaks can be separated by hundreds of miles. Initially the disease was notifiable in the UK, but now no such monitoring exists so the full extent of the problem is unknown.Check with your vet to see if they are aware of any number of unexplained deaths in the pet rabbit population in the area where you live.

Initially attempts were made to try to contain the disease, but this became impossible and an endemic state occurred. The persistence of the virus and the disease caused by it seem to be greatly underestimated. Because rabbits die so quickly from it they are often not presented to vets as they are already dead. If your rabbit has died unexpectadley DO NOT be tempted to repalce it until you have  some indication as to why death has occured. To do so could condem another rabbit to the same fate!!!. If you are replacing after a death then ensure that the replacement is vaccinated and that vaccinations are given annually  and not allowed to lapse.

Vaccination gives one full year's immunity.

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MYXOMATOSIS

 What is it?

Myxomatosis is a severe viral disease of rabbits that decimated the wild rabbit population when it arrived in Britain 50+ years ago. Domestic rabbits are also susceptible to the disease and deaths in pets are reported every year throughout the country.

The number and the 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. For example, in autumn 2000, southern areas of the UK (the south west, Hampshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire) experienced a severe outbreak of myxomatosis, thought to have been caused by a particularly virulent strain of the myxomatosis virus.

Which rabbits are at risk?

Myxomatosis is a threat to all pet rabbits, but the risk varies depending on whether your rabbit lives inside or outside.Wheather the garden gives access to wild rabbits etc. Dont think because your rabbit lives indoors that the risk is eliminated - IT IS NOT FLIES and BITING INSECTS can carry the disease indoors.

Pet rabbits at greatest risk are those living outside, especially if they have any contact with wild rabbits or hares. Pet rabbits affected by rabbit fleas are also at very high risk - rabbit owners who also have a dog or cat that hunts wild rabbits (or foxes that visit the garden and nose around rabbit hutches) must be particularly careful, in case rabbit fleas are brought back to the pet rabbit.

Houserabbits living permanently indoors are at less risk than outdoor rabbits, but can and do get myxomatosis. All rabbits should be vaccinated to protected them from myxomatosis

How is it spread?

Myxomatosis is usually spread by biting insects (fleas, mosquitoes) carrying the Myxomatosis virus. However,it is now felt that direct rabbit-to-rabbit can also spread the virus.

Pet rabbits could contract myxomatosis in a variety of ways:

• Bites from mosquitoes carrying the virus.
• Bites from fleas carrying the virus (fleas can survive for many months in hay)
• Myxomatosis can also be spread by fur mites

What happens when a rabbit catches myxomatosis?

Myxomatosis is a dreadful disease that causes immense suffering: affected rabbits can take a fortnight to die and treatment is usually futile, which is why euthanasia is usually recommended.

Classic myxomatosis starts with runny eyes and in the very early stages can be confused with other causes of conjunctivitis. However, myxomatosis differs as the genitals are also swollen. It rapidly progresses to a severe conjunctivitis which causes blindness and is accompanied by small lumps/swellings on the head neck and shoulders and body. Excessive amounts of thick pus is discharged from the nose and swollen eyes (which are often sealed shut). There are also two atypical forms of myxomatosis: one causes pneumonia and a snuffles-like illness; the other ("Nodular myxomatosis") mainly affects skin and carries a better prognosis.

If a vaccinated rabbit develops myxomatosis, the disease is usually much less severe. The exact pattern of disease seen in vaccinated animals is very variable, and impossible to predict: it depends upon how much immunity the rabbit has. Some rabbits develop just a few odd skin lesions and remain otherwise well; others become quite poorly and suffer from swellings and conjunctivitis more like classical myxomatosis. The difference is that vaccination turns a fatal illness into one that is treatable.

Myxomatosis vaccination?

Domestic rabbits do not have any genetically based immunity against myxomatosis. If an unvaccinated pet rabbit catches myxomatosis, it will almost certainly die. Vaccination is a vital if you are to protect your pet and I would urge all rabbit owners to make sure their rabbit is vaccinated.

"High risk" areas would include:

• Anywhere near standing water or a with large mosquito population
• Areas affected by outbreaks of myxomatosis in wild or domestic rabbits.

If you hear of a myxomatosis outbreak in your vicinity, it would be wise to ensure your bunny has been vaccinated within the previous 6 months: take him for an early booster if necessary.

It is advised when vaccinating to vaccinate 2 weeks apart from the VHD vaccine.

Vaccination can start from as young as 6 weeks of age, but only healthy rabbits should be vaccinated and the vaccine can't be administered to pregnant animals.

Even if your rabbit is vaccinated, you must also take steps to prevent biting insects getting to your rabbit.

• Try to buy hay from farms free of myxomatosis
• Fit insect screens to outdoor hutches and runs
• Eliminate standing water from your garden

• Be especially careful if you have a dog or cat that hunts wild rabbits, as they could bring rabbit fleas home.  

• Make sure that rabbits living outdoors cannot make contact with wild rabbits or hares.
• If your rabbit has any signs of fur mites (e.g. “dandruff” on the back of the neck, take him to the vet for prompt treatment.

Special points about the myxomatosis vaccine

Most vaccines are given entirely under the skin, but the myxomatosis vaccine is different.

About a tenth of the dose has to be given intradermally - into the layers of the skin  for adequate immunity to be achieved. Some vets give it into the thicker skin at the base of the ear; others on the way in or out of the skin at the scruff of the neck. Although fiddly, the intradermal part of the injection is absolutely vital to stimulate an immune response in the skin, which is where the myxomatosis virus usually gains entry to the rabbit.

If you are involved with a rescue centre where the vet allows lay personnel to vaccinate the rabbits, please double check the correct technique is being used. If your own rabbit is being vaccinated, double check that the vet remembers the intradermal bit!

Intervet (the vaccine manufacturer) need to know about any cases where vaccinated rabbits develop myxi. They are extremely approachable and willing to help with any queries about their product. Your vet should liase with them to ensure they are fully briefed about the nature and severity of disease suffered by the affected animal.

Can rabbits with myxomatosis be treated?

If an unvaccinated rabbit catches myxomatosis and develops the full-blown classic form of the disease, survival is very unusual, even with intensive nursing and treatment with antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection. Most affected pets in this situation are put to sleep as soon as the diagnosis is made, to prevent futile suffering.

If a vaccinated rabbit is unlucky enough to catch myxomatosis, the situation is much less gloomy. How severely any one vaccinated rabbit will be affected is impossible to predict. It depends on how much immunity they developed after their vaccination. Some rabbits simply develop a single skin lump and remain perfectly well. A few become really poorly. Others fall somewhere in between, such as being a bit "off colour" with a few skin lesions.

Treatment is usually successful in the vaccinated rabbit with a good vet, nursing care and a bit of luck. But it if the rabbit is unlucky enough to be badly affected, intensive and prolonged veterinary and nursing care (weeks rather than days) is occasionally required.

Rabbits being treated for myxomatosis need:

• Careful nursing care in a warm environment (21-22 degrees centigrade)
• Regular bathing of sticky eyes and genitalia
• Fluid therapy - subcutaneous, intra-peritoneal or intravenous fluids may be used
• Tempting food and syringe or tube feeding if necessary
• Antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection

This doesn't make vaccination a waste of time - far from it. Rabbits that have not been vaccinated will almost certainly die if they catch myxomatosis.... rabbits that have been vaccinated usually live to tell the tale if they catch it.