Pet cats and dogs need regular veterinary visits to stay updated on their vaccinations. Naturally, rabbit owners might wonder if their pets require the same care. Rabbits can be vaccinated, but the necessity and availability of these vaccines depend on your location.
Rabbit Vaccines in Different Regions
In Europe, three vaccines are available for pet rabbits, which need annual administration to protect against myxomatosis, RHDV1, and RHDV2—three highly lethal viruses. These vaccines are mostly unavailable in North America, with only one approved in Australia. Most pet rabbits in North America are unlikely to encounter these viruses, so vaccinations are generally unnecessary. However, in areas with current outbreaks, emergency vaccine use might be permitted. Consult your veterinarian if you’re in an outbreak area to get your rabbit vaccinated.
Are Vaccinations Required for Rabbits?
Are vaccinations necessary for rabbits? Typically, they are not mandatory, but they are strongly recommended in European countries. Vaccination requirements are usually not enforced by law, as rabbit diseases do not pose a public safety risk and are not transmissible to humans or other pets. However, if there is a local spread of myxomatosis or RHDV1 and RHDV2, it is advisable to keep your rabbit’s vaccinations current. Historically, myxomatosis and RHDV1 were introduced in Australia and Europe to control rabbit populations, which led to widespread infections and a significant decline in the wild rabbit population. These diseases have spread, albeit less extensively, to North America, particularly along the Pacific Coast and Southwest regions. A newer RHDV2 strain required the development of an additional vaccine.
Unfortunately, these vaccines are not widely available worldwide, with availability depending on local regulations. In Europe, vaccines for myxomatosis and RHD (the UK term for RHDV) are common and recommended due to the prevalence of these viruses in wild rabbit populations, posing a risk to domestic rabbits. Vaccinations can begin at around five weeks for one vaccine and ten weeks for the other, with annual boosters recommended. While not legally required, some lease agreements may mandate up-to-date vaccinations for pets, including rabbits.
In North America, no vaccines are approved for widespread use in the US, Canada, or Mexico due to the foreign nature of these viruses and potential unknown impacts on native rabbit species. The USDA and some pharmaceutical companies are working on a vaccine, but approval is at least a year or two away. Emergency access to European vaccines might be possible in areas with RHDV2 outbreaks, particularly in the Pacific and Southwest regions.
In Australia and New Zealand, the only available vaccine is for RHDV1, also known as rabbit calicivirus. Although the RHDV2 strain is present, no vaccine has been approved, although the RHDV1 vaccine may offer some protection. Despite the widespread presence of myxomatosis, no vaccine is available for domestic rabbits due to concerns that it might grant immunity to wild rabbits, undermining population control efforts. Efforts to approve a myxomatosis vaccine have been ongoing but unsuccessful.
How to Vaccinate Your Rabbit
To get your rabbit vaccinated, if you are living in a place where you can get your rabbit vaccinated, it’s best to do so as soon as possible. As of writing this article, it is most common for rabbits to need two separate shots to gain immunity against all three viruses. The first one contains a vaccine for myxomatosis and RHDV1, and this can be given to rabbits once they are five weeks old. The other shot is for the RHDV2 vaccine, which can be given once a rabbit is 10 weeks old. Pet rabbits will need to get an annual booster for each vaccine in order to maintain immunity to these diseases.
To vaccinate your rabbit, if vaccines are available in your area, it’s best to do so promptly. Rabbits typically need two separate shots to cover all three viruses: one for myxomatosis and RHDV1, given at five weeks, and another for RHDV2, given at ten weeks. Annual boosters are necessary to maintain immunity. These two shots must be administered at least two weeks apart, requiring two vet visits per year. Recently, a single vaccine covering all three viruses was introduced, simplifying the process to one shot annually. This vaccine can be given to rabbits aged five to seven weeks, with yearly boosters recommended. Ensure your rabbit is healthy before vaccination to avoid adverse effects, and your vet can perform a health check to confirm readiness.
Side Effect
Vaccination side effects are rare in rabbits. A 2015 study of over 900 rabbits found that only 1/8% experienced mild reactions, such as skin issues at the injection site, lethargy, or digestive problems.
Is it safe to let your unvaccinated rabbit go outside?
If there is no active transmission of myxomatosis or RHDV in your area, the risk is low. However, precautions are still recommended to prevent parasite infestations. Keeping your rabbit clean and dry usually suffices. In outbreak areas, it is best to keep your rabbit indoors unless vaccinated, as both myxomatosis and RHDV can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or insects. A closed-off outdoor run reduces the risk but does not eliminate it.
Myxomatosis: Myxomatosis is a lethal virus that leads to fever and swelling around a rabbit’s eyes and nose. If a rabbit catches this disease, the mortality rate is extremely high, around 96 percent, with no known treatment available. This virus was intentionally introduced in Australia and parts of Europe during the 1950s to control the wild rabbit population. While wild rabbits have developed some immunity over time, it remains highly dangerous for pet rabbits.
Conclusion
That’s all for today. Hope now you got the answer of this question “Do Rabbits Need Vaccinations?’ If you have any further question, let me know in the comment box. If you found this article helpful, please share it with your bunny lover friends. You can visit my site to know further about bunny care, behavior, breed, and lots of tips about bunny just clicking the link.