Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) is a lethal highly contagious virus that targets rabbits, attacking their internal organs ( such as the liver) and causes internal bledding. It has devastating consequences for both wild and domesticated rabbits. Transmitted by insects such as flys and mosquitos, birds, mice and wild animals, contact with other animals and even off the soles of your shoes. 

If your  Rabbit catches RHDv they can be found dead within a few hours of eating and behaving normally.

Affected pets may show lethargy,fever with an increased Respiratory rate and sometimes bleeding from the nose.  Death normally occurs quite suddenly. 

We get asked many times if I will take a rabbit that has not been vaccinated and I'm sorry to say the answer is No.

RHDV is highly contagious.

If a Rabbit boards that has RHDV or dies in our care and it is proven that the Rabbit died from RHDV, we need to close all of our Rabbit boarding accomodation for a period of 3-4 months.

This then has 2 effects.

1. We would have to cancel many holiday bookings, leaving owners stuck for Holiday boarding at last minute.
2. During our Summer that can have a major impact on our income and may even result in us having to close completely.

I'm sorry but we just can't that the risk. 

It’s important your rabbits live a happy, healthy life. So vaccinate them every year against Myxomatosis and two strains of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD 1 and RVHD2). Do this and you’re doing your bit to keep your rabbits at their best.

All rabbits now need the ‘Triple’ vaccine to cover Myxi, RVHD1 and RVHD2  in order to board with us at the Piggery.

This is called Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus.

It is commonly available at all Veterinary surgeries.

In 2024 there was a discovery of a new highly virulent strain of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease in Europe and it’s currently making its way over to Great Britain with a handful of cases been found. Unfortunately, most rabbits that die from this deadly disease are not tested upon their death so the exact figure is un-known.

Researchers have been very busy behind the scenes, creating a new vaccine to cover this new dangerous strain. This new vaccine is called Yurvac and the RWAF have said it should be available at our Vets soon. This vaccine is very new and most vets don’t know about this yet as it is still being rolled in.

 At the Piggery, we are not asking for your rabbit to be vacinated with this new vaccine at the moment. I am waiting to get more information on this drug and the roll out plan but at some point in the near future I think it is a step we may have to take.

 When your bunnies are new due for their next vaccinations, speak to your vet to check about availability and if they provide it, I would recommend getting it.

Currently, the only vet I have heard of giving Yurvac near us is at Evolution Exotics at Cleobury Mortimer. They offer vaccination sessions so that the multi-dose vials can be shared between rabbit owners so that you don’t have to cover the cost of the whole vial.