Vaccinations

[Fluffykins]

So someone I used to know, her bunny recently died. Of VHD2. That incredibly sad moment spurred my butt into gear and I’ve booked my fluffykins vaccs.

I don’t really know why I’ve been putting it off, I guess before this moment it didn’t really feel as “real”. Now I get it. Her bunny was a house bunny just like my fluffykins. And he died SO FAST. To fast for her to act.

So for anyone in the UK, AUS, New Zealand, France, Denmark and other countries where this is an issue… quick reminder; as well as any owners that already do vaccinate.. any tips? Can I expect any (any at all) changes in fluffykins after his app next weekend?

Anything else I need to know or do? Will the poor guy be really sore / traumatised? Where do they do the vaccine, in the nape of the neck?

This will be his initial combi one (so myxo and rhd) and two weeks after that will be VHD2.

[Muchelle]

The shot is done on the back of the neck and they don’t even feel of the injection. If he’s never been to the vet he might get more disturbed by the whole going to the vet experience. Also, it’s considered normal for the bun to be sleepy or in general less active for the 24 hours after the vaccine ( I remember the first time mine remained in a stoner state for a couple of days )

[Bam]

The vaccinations are given at the nape of the neck. The most common side-reaction, if there is one, of the Nobivac double vaccine, is a local, non-painful swelling around the injection site within the 2 first weeks after the injection. In rare cases, a sore develops at the injection site. My Bam has never had any of those side effects, and he’s had Nobivac myxo-RHD once a year since 2013. It’s recommended to lightly massage the site of the injection just after the shot has been given so the vaccine doesn’t pool in one place for any amount of time.

Bam has also had vaccinations against RVHD2. Here it’s recommended to give Cunipravac or Filavac every 6 months. In other places, the recommendations can be different, for example once a year plus a booster if there’s an outbreak of the disease in your area. Bam has had Cunipravac once, and Filavac twice, 6 months apart. I haven’t noticed any side effects of either, although his latest shot was on November 1, so side effects could still pop up.

As with all vaccines, the immune-defense of the vaccinated animal or human gets challenged. That’s the whole point of vaccination: The immune system is triggered into making antibodies. This puts a little bit of stress on the system, so some buns react with a bit of tummy trouble, a low-grade short-lasting fever, or even some sneezing. These are “side-effects” of all vaccines, and not specific for the bunny vaccines.

I think it’s an excellent choice to have Fluffykins vaccinated against these nasty diseases. It’s of course particularly important if you forage for him outside, but the viruses can come into a house on the soles of shoes or on the paws of other household pets that get outdoors time.

[Fluffykins]

Thanks for your responses they really put my mind at ease a bit! I’m glad they don’t normally feel them…

Fluffykins has been to the vet only once before (and he was really scared of the vet himself) but the general travelling and meeting new people he’s fine with. I take him to visit my family quite a bit so he’s becoming quite a well travelled bun haha.

I’ve never let him out outside (too many nasties for me to deal with) but I always worry about what I might carry in on my self, or what might come in via an open window or on his hay. I wish we didn’t have this issue to worry about, you Americans are lucky ducks

So I guess this means it’ll be his special day (just like my kids get their own special day on vaccine days haha) where I’ll have to buy him an extra treat or toy or 2.. cancel all outside activities and snuggle at home with him (or along side him if he just wants to sleep in his area). Of course that also means mummy gets a day of hot drinks, the sofa and netflicks so it’s not all bad.

[Muchelle]

Italian here We still don’t have the massive bun epidemy but we have a lot of insects, so I have to vax and give him anti-flea for the months that he’s allowed out. In my area we have a huge problem with mosquitoes and that is really worrying… but so far so good

He’ll most likely will want to be left alone for the day, but he’ll gladly accept kind offers like herbs and treats and yep… gotta keep watch on the upset bun with plenty of netflix and hot cocoa!

[sarahthegemini]

I’m in the UK too and I just took my two for their standard booster vaccine on Wednesday and will be taking them for the VHD2 on the 15th at a different practice.

They inject at the nape and it’s not too traumatic! I wanted mine to have a full health check at the same time so of course they were handled quite a bit but neither seemed too affected. They just kicked their back legs in disgust when we got home lol. Apparently it’s quite normal for the area to swell but I haven’t noticed anything like that.

Oh, I don’t know if you’re already aware but check out ‘vaccination club’ I’m not sure if it’s a nationwide thing but I was able to get vouchers so their standard vaccine plus health check was only £24 per bun

[Fluffykins]

Hi Sarah

Wow thanks for informing me about vaccination club, unfortunately it doesn’t seem available in London!!

I am so jealous of what you paid, I’m paying £60 for this combi vaccine then I’ll be paying another £65 for the RVHD2.

This is why I cannot even begin to think about another rabbit right now… I’d be so broke SO FAST haha!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Fluffykins on 11/06/2017 3:59 AM

Hi Sarah

Wow thanks for informing me about vaccination club, unfortunately it doesn’t seem available in London!!

I am so jealous of what you paid, I’m paying £60 for this combi vaccine then I’ll be paying another £65 for the RVHD2.

This is why I cannot even begin to think about another rabbit right now… I’d be so broke SO FAST haha!

Aw that’s a shame. Keep it in mind if you ever relocate! I’ll be paying £38 per bun for the RVHD2. Your prices are extortionate  Thank goodness they’re only once a year aye!

[Sirius&Luna]

I need to look into this vaccination club, sounds miraculous! Although i’m also in London, so maybe its a no go.

My vet charges roughly £50 each for the combi and and the RVHD2, which I thought was expensive. I’ve been meaning to have a look around at prices, because surely they don’t really need the specialist bunny vets just for a vaccine? Although it’s good to combine with a check up I guess. Anyway, my point was, that sounds expensive even by my already expensive expectations!

[Sirius&Luna]

Also, another quick thought, if you haven’t got it done yet, can you get the RHVD2 one done first? That’s what my vet recommended, since that’s the one that’s really prevalent at the moment. Of course get the combi one too, but it might be an idea to prioritise the RHVD2 first.

[Fluffykins]

Ooh thanks for the tip, I’ll be sure to ask the vet if he recommends doing that one first. My friend was so heartbroken and what was worse was she was offered the RVHD2 but told it’s not really necessary down here yet.. So she just stuck to the combi one.

Just goes to show it’s SO important to have a vet that’s up to date on rabbit stuff, this area of study moves fast!

[Author]

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