Prevention is better than cure

04 June 2019

PDSA urges bunny owners to join Jaffa during Rabbit Awareness Week: 1-9 June 2019

This year leading vet charity PDSA are again backing the Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) campaign to encourage vaccinations for bunnies. The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2018* found that nearly half a million rabbits (49%) in the UK have not received their primary vaccination course when young. Of those that did receive them, 58% have not had regular booster vaccinations. Many owners do not realise that rabbits, whether living indoors or outdoors, should receive regular vaccinations to keep them healthy and safe.  

Four-year-old Jaffa, a Netherland Dwarf rabbit, recently visited PDSA’s Stoke Pet Hospital for his regular vaccinations. Owner Catherine Harding from Stoke who describes herself as a ‘conscientious pet parent’, has always ensured Jaffa is up-to-date with his vaccinations.

PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan said: “We recommend vaccinating rabbits and they can be given some of their first jabs from five weeks old. Vaccinations help fight off diseases such as Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease, which could otherwise be fatal.  There’s no cure for these diseases, so vaccinations are the best way to prevent rabbits from suffering with them.”

Catherine began taking Jaffa to PDSA in Stoke after attending an event as part of Rabbit Awareness Week.

“We love visiting PDSA. The staff at Stoke are absolutely brilliant.” says Catherine whose dog is also a regular visitor at the Stoke PDSA Pet Hospital. “We live in the countryside, and although Jaffa is an indoor rabbit, we are aware he is still at risk of diseases like myxo and RHD, since the viruses are so easily spread,” adds Catherine."

Olivia explains: “Vaccinations protect your rabbits from Myxomatosis, and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 1 (RHD-1) and 2 (RHD-2). These diseases can be spread not only from other animals, but through insects and even on our clothes and shoes. In the UK, a combined vaccination is available against Myxomatosis and RHD-1. But even rabbits who have previously had that vaccine will still need separate vaccines to protect them against the new strain, RHD-2. They also need booster jabs every year. If you’re not sure what your rabbits are covered against, give your vet a quick ring to check and see what they are due and when.”

Catherine adds: “It’s a simple choice for me. Pay for the protection, or risk losing my beloved Jaffa to these truly horrible diseases.”

Olivia adds: “Prevention is simple – speak to your vet about vaccinating your rabbits as soon as you can. Even if you have bunnies that have never been vaccinated, you can still protect them if you act now. If they’re due their vaccines, ensure you take them to the vets as soon as possible.”

Find out more about rabbit vaccinations.