Starlight's Rabbit Rescue

Vaccinations are necessary.
There are two diseases your rabbit should be vaccinated against.:
Myxomatosis, and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD).

Mxyomatosis

Mxyomatosis is a ruthless killer. It is caused by biting insects, infected with the disease. It can be passed on by gnats, fleas, ticks, mites and mosquitoes.
House rabbits should still be vaccinated as they can still catch mxyomatosis.
It often starts out with swelling of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and genitals. Those who have been vaccinated CAN survive this disease with very intense nursing.

Rabbits being nursed with mxyomatosis should be on the following meds as standard:

• Daily Metacam (painkillers)
• Daily Baytril (anti-biotics)
• Fucithulmic Eye Fluid (to help with the eye swellings)

Your rabbit will be in a lot of pain, which is why they need daily painkillers. Metacam is also an anti-inflammatory, so it will help with the swellings. The anti-biotics are there to prevent a secondary infection starting. In myxomatosis, it is normally a secondary infection such as pneumonia, that actually kills the rabbit, as opposed to the actual disease. The Fucithulmic will help kep the eyes lubricated.

You must make sure your rabbits eat throughout their battle. Strong smelling herbs such as mint, basil, parsley may help encourage your rabbit to eat.

They must also be kept at a constant temperature of 20 degrees. Bringing them to live indoors can do this.

The following picures are of a vaccinated rabbit who caught Mxyomatosis.

She was on daily:

• Metacam
• Baytril
• Fucithulmic 4 times daily
• Viscotears 4 times daily
• Subcutaneous fluids 4 times daily
• Oxygen therapy, 20 minutes each time, every 5 hours
• Oxytracycine
• Intrasite Gel
  

DAY 9


DAY 11

DAY 21


DAY 26
 

DAY 29


DAY 34




Do NOT risk your rabbit's life for the sake of a £20 injection.

Autumn unfortuntely passed away the day after the last picture was taken.
Though she was starting to go through the last part of recovery (where the scabs fall off) unknown to everyone, she had an abscess on the brain due to the mxyi, which burst, causing her to seizure and pass away in my arms. 

Her total treatment came to £1200, and I would do it again if it would bring her back.

 Here is a picture of the same rabbit, before catching this disease

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)

VHD is also known as the silent killer. It is a fatal disease, with no known cure and normally the first sign you get is a dead bunny.VHD is a disease that can even be brought into the house on your shoes. The virus itself if extremely tough and can survive for many months in the environment, and can even resist temperatures of 60 degrees centigrade!
The symptoms and rapid onset of this disease are very frightening. Symptoms range from sudden death, lethargy, loss of appetite, upper and lower respiratory congestion, fever, spasms, or bleeding from the nose, mouth or rectum. Death is caused by massive internal hemorrhaging of one or more organs and occurs within 18-48 hours. This virus can remain viable on dry clothing for 105 days at temperatures of 68 degrees and 2 days at 140 degrees. Therefore, it can be transmitted long after contact with an infected animal.

House rabbits SHOULD be vaccinated, as there is no guarantee you, or any of your guest, will not bring it in on their clothes, having walked through an infected area.