I’ve been asked by a couple of people what vaccinations their rabbits need to have before we can care for them (especially since there is some confusion over a new vaccine), so I thought I’d jot down all the information I think might be helpful. I have tried to be fairly comprehensive, but I am obviously not a qualified vet, so please always speak to them about the best course of action, and refer also to the RWAF website https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/disease/vaccinations/
Firstly, all rabbits that are cared for by Hare B&B, whether in their own home or at the pet hotel, must be vaccinated against Myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD2. The effects of these diseases can be catastrophic.
Myxomatosis is a highly contagious viral disease which usually ends in death. The virus is carried by blood sucking insects such as fleas, mosquitoes and midges, and also through direct contact with a sick animal. Vaccination against Myxomatosis cannot guarantee that your rabbit will never get the disease, but the disease will be milder if they do become infected. Vaccinated rabbits who catch Myxomatosis usually survive, but unvaccinated rabbits nearly always die.
Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease is (as stated on the RWAF website) “a swift and efficient killer”. The virus causes massive internal bleeding and almost all unvaccinated rabbits who catch it will die within a day or two. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Transmission is by direct contact with an infected rabbit or indirect contact via its urine or faeces. The virus can be blown on the wind, carried in on your shoes and transmitted by insects, and RVHD2 can survive for months. Vaccination against both strains is extremely effective.
There are a few different types of vaccine;
Nobivac Myxo-RHD
The original rabbit vaccine which protects against Myxomatosis and RVHD1. This vaccine is being discontinued.
Eravac
When the new strain of viral haemorrhagic disease appeared, they developed this vaccine to protect solely against RVHD2. Rabbits can be vaccinated with this from the age of 30 days, immunity is gained after 1 week, and lasts for 12 months.
Filavac
A further vaccine was developed that protects against both RVHD1 and RVHD2, but not Myxomatosis. Vaccination is from 10 weeks of age, immunity is gained after 1 week and lasts for 12 months.
Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS
This is the relatively new triple vaccine (brought out in 2020) that protects against Myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD2. It will eventually replace Nobivac Myxo-RHD, once all stock of that has been exhausted. It is recommended from 7 weeks of age, but full immunity does not kick in until 3 weeks later, but it lasts for 12 months.
Rabbits used to have two injections per year to be fully protected: the Nobivac Myxo-RHD vaccinated against Myxomatosis and RVHD1, whilst Eravac or Filavac protected against the more prevalent RVHD2. Your vaccination certificate would look something like this (with two weeks between the Nobivac Myxo-RHD and the Filavac);
This rabbit is fully protected against Myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD2.
The vaccination details we love to see are these;
Your rabbit has had the triple vaccine and is protected against all three diseases, and it is at least three weeks since your pet was vaccinated. These make life easy!
If however, your vaccination card looks like this;
Your rabbit has not been vaccinated against RVHD2, and we cannot care for your pet, so what can you do to rectify this?
If your rabbit has only ever had Nobivac Myxo-RHD, then to be protected against RVHD2, it must be vaccinated using either Eravac or Filavac. Simply giving the new triple vaccine will not provide protection against RVHD2 because the old Nobivac interferes with the immune response and cancels out the RVHD protection from the new vaccine. After one week, your rabbit will be protected against all three diseases. When it comes to boosters, your vet should be able to administer the new triple vaccine.
To sum up, these are the scenarios in relation to vaccinations and the plan of action you and your vet would need to take. Always talk to your vet about your exact circumstances though as the number and order of vaccines varies with each situation.
New, young rabbit that has definitely not had any vaccinations, nor been exposed to Myxomatosis- can be vaccinated with Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus from as young as 5 weeks. The rabbit may have inherited some immunity from its mother though, so it may be advised to have a one off vaccine of Filavac or Eravac first, then the Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus two weeks later. Boosters will then be yearly with the Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus.
New pet rabbit with unknown vaccination and disease history- err on the side of caution and administer Eravac or Filavac straight away, then the Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus two weeks later. Any existing immunity to Myxomatosis can interfere with the efficacy of the new triple vaccine. Boosters will then be yearly with the Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus.
Rabbit who has only had the Novibac Myxo-RHD and no vaccination against RVHD2- vaccinate immediately with Eravac or Filavac then when Novibac Myxo-RHD is up for its booster, use the new triple vaccine, Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus. Boosters will then be yearly with the Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus.
Rabbit that is up to date with Novibac Myxo-RHD and Eravac or Filavac- when next booster is due, vaccinate with the new triple vaccine, Novibac Myxo-RHD Plus, then yearly boosters with the same.
I hope this clarifies things a little.
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