How many of your rabbits have been given RHDV2 vaccine?

[Theodorusrex]

Just a quick question about the RHDV2 strain and vaccine. I’m from Northern Ireland, and I know it is causing quite a lot of deaths in mainland UK but there have only been a few cases in Northern Ireland actually confirmed.

I’ve called my vet to try and get Theo vaccinated twice  – I work on the better safe than sorry ideal – but both times the vet has told me she would try and order it in if I really wanted but it wouldn’t be easy as it’s not licensed in UK yet. She also said she wouldn’t recommend Theo get vaccinated as he’s a house rabbit and the cases in Northern Ireland have been among show rabbits mainly. I understand where she is coming from, and while I don’t show Theo I do take him to the vets where other show rabbits have been if that makes sense. 

Any advice? Anyone think it’s totally necessary or should I leave it until a proper licensed RHDV2 vaccine is available in the UK? Anyone had their rabbit vaccinated and have any advice? 

[sarahthegemini]

If I recall correctly, when my bunnies had their vaccinations the vet said that RHDV2 might be available next year. I’ll be interested to hear thoughts on this too!

[Mikey]

None of my 3 have gotten vaccinated since they dont come in contact with other rabbits, or animals in general for that matter. However, if other bunnies around me were dieing from something that could be vaccinated against, i would take all 3 of mine in to get their shots

[Bam]

My Bam is vaccinated against RVHD2, with Cunipravac. There have been confirmed cases in my town and nearby areas. Mostly in wild rabbits though, perhaps because it’s very expensive and quite a big procedure to send a deceased pet bunny to be tested for RVHD2.

[Vienna Blue in France]

My two have been because there were huge outbreaks in Belgium – bunny shows all cancelled – (I’m a few miles from the border) and also because we came back to the UK for bunny bonding camp !!

It is quite expensive (varies big time from vet to vet depending if they got the 50 dose amount or individual doses – my own French vet hadn’t even heard of the RVHD2!) and what they don’t tell you is that it only covers for 6 months anyway…

Will I get them done again when the 6 months comes up…?
Not sure – but if they were going to be boarded in bunny hotel in the UK, I think it is now an obligation…

[Brambino]

Both my buns are vaccinated no problems – though expensive! There’s a Facebook page which shows the spread and can help you identify whether there are cases near you. The vets in all PaH stores should stock the vaccine now. Although lots of independent vets in the UK are stocking the vaccine too. I asked my vet and she said they’re not advertising the vaccine because they don’t have enough stock but it’s available to those who request it. I’d keep trying if I were you because as you say, better safe than sorry!

[kirstyol]

I have never had my boys vaccinated because the vet said, and I agreed that their risk was incredibly low as they are house bunnies and we live in a really urban area so there are no wild rabbits here and little chance of them picking anything up from bugs (that’s apparently how its spread so easily because the bugs spread it) however we are planning a week away and I may have to board the guys so I called the vets recently to ask about it and they said they don’t stock it because they don’t get many bunny owners asking for it but happily order it for those that want it.

[Theodorusrex]

I’m with vets4pets in a PaH store.. but I think it is different with me because I’m not mainland U.K. Because we’re a bit isolated from the breakouts in the mainland UK vets here aren’t recommending it for any rabbit (even outdoor rabbits) unless they are attending shows. I would say many rabbit owners here aren’t even aware of the problem. I will maybe have to ring back and ask her to order it, I have a feeling she thinks I am a crazy bunny lady who is over reacting haha. Oh well, Theo’s wellbeing comes first. I didn’t realise there was such bad outbreaks in mainland Europe either.. scary! ?

[Azerane]

I would love to have mine vaccinated for RHDV2, but the vaccine isn’t available here, so many bunnies passed from it last year that were vaccinated with cylap. In a week the new K5 strain is being released as well, no one seems to be 100% sure as to whether cylap will protect against it. Although I have heard a rumour that we will have a 3 in 1 vaccine available later this year.

My buns are indoors, never come into contact with other animals but I will always still vaccinate. Myxo and RHDV are carried by biting insects, and RHDV is also carried on the environment (shoes etc). Insects get inside, so do shoes.

[Gina.Jenny]

I rang last year, the vets weren’t offering it, I just rang again, they can get it in for tomorrow, so I have three appointments, an hour apart, to take each pair in turn….it’s going to be a tiring and pricey day

[Azerane]

GJ, maybe you should get three separate carriers so you can take them all in at once? Unless you aren’t driving there yourself.

[Gina.Jenny]

I don’t have a car, I’ll be walking there and back and there and back and there and back With the spring weather, they have all been outside in the garden for several hours a day for the past week, and will be outside most days throughout the spring, summer and autumn. I’m lucky to have an enclosed back garden, so its pretty safe, but not from nasties like rhd2. I’m not going to be popular tomorrow, they all associate going in the carrier with going out into the garden

[Vienna Blue in France]

Some serious pardonning will be required will some serious veggies !!

[Gina.Jenny]

Off to market now!

[Azerane]

Oh my! Perhaps a triplet stroller then! lol.

[Theodorusrex]

I’m glad your vet was able to get the vaccine for you GJ, definitely best to get them done so they can enjoy their garden in peace without you worrying about them!!
Lots of treats and head rubs when they get home and I’m sure they’ll forgive you

Azerane, yes I have heard about the new strain being released in Australia, how worrying and awful There seems to be mixed opinions on how well the current vaccine will protect against the new strain. That’s the scary thing too that it’s not impossible for house rabbits to become infected either.

I’m gonna ring the vet again then and see about getting theo in to be vaccinated

[LittlePuffyTail]

This whole situation just breaks my heart Humans can be really terrible. Of topic, I know but just keep seeing posts about this awful stuff on FB. We’re safe (for now) here in Canada but I worry about all the bunnies in the affected areas.

[Author]

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