rabbits

Imminently there will be a release of RHVD virus in the Wollongong area.

Both RHVD and myxomatosis are fatal diseases of rabbits that are used to control wild populations of rabbits. After the wet year we've had the rabbit population has exploded and council is working with the department of primary industries to control these populations by releasing RHVD virus. 

To protect your rabbit against RHDV you need to have your rabbit's vaccination current.

Myxomatosis is a pox virus that affects rabbits. It was first introduced to Australia in 1950 to reduce the feral rabbit population. Initially it was rapidly fatal with very few survivors, however resistance has developed in the feral rabbit population and less deadly strain have emerged, allowing rabbit numbers to partly recover.

Alot of problems arise when assumptions are made. The more common ones we run across in vet science are those of anthropomorphising (assuming animals are just people in small, hairy suits).

This can lead to people doing things like:

A lot of pet health revolves around feeding and this is especially the case for rabbits. While rabbits have a few breed related disorders (dwarfs can have altered head shape resulting in dental issues), infectious diseases (calicivirus and myxomatosis ) and husbandry issues (flystrike and heat stroke for example), alot of the problems we see are directly or indirectly related to the food they eat.

Rabbits are an increasingly common pet in Australia, along with their teddy bear looks, they have a wide spectrum of personalities and eccentricities that endear them to their owners. While not requiring routine intestinal worming, like dogs and cats, they can be affected by a number of external parasites. Outside rabbits are more prone to parasites however even inside bunnies are not immune, as the little critters often hitchhike on feed and bedding.

Rabbit Calicivirus, also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), is a viral disease first released in Australia in 1996, in an effort to control feral rabbits. There are a number of different strains in Australia.  A new strain, RHDV1 K5, is to be released in the Illawarra and over 600 sites across Australia in early March. This timing corresponds with peak feral rabbit numbers.

How does it spread?

The virus is spread by rabbit to rabbit contact, flies and fleas, as well as contaminated clothes and environment.

Calicivirus occurs in the Wollongong area from time to time. There are often controlled releases done to control the wild rabbit population.  

Calicicirus is a viral disease of rabbits that causes them to die very quickly.  It's spread by direct contact or mosquitoes so:

The weather is warmer up so the fleas are emergency after being dormant over winter. APPLY YOUR FLEA CONTROL NOW.

Not only can we supply you with great quality flea products that will work but we have the expertise to help you eliminate those nasty pests. In order to understand why your flea control is not working you need to have an understanding of the flea life cycle: