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WHAT IS MYXOMATOSIS? After Its Introduction to the UK in the Early 1950’S Myxomatosis Was So Virulent That an Estimated 95% of Wild and Pet Rabbits Had Died by 1955

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WHAT IS MYXOMATOSIS? After Its Introduction to the UK in the Early 1950’S Myxomatosis Was So Virulent That an Estimated 95% of Wild and Pet Rabbits Had Died by 1955 WHAT IS MYXOMATOSIS? After its introduction to the UK in the early 1950’s myxomatosis was so virulent that an estimated 95% of wild and pet rabbits had died by 1955. In the year 2000 we again experienced one of the worst outbreaks of Myxomatosis ever recorded, and this disease is still affecting rabbits, particularly during the late summer/ autumn season. Below: edited extracts from an article written by Dr Linda Dykes, published in Fur & Feather’s November 2000 issue. yxomatosis is a rabbit will be a pitiful sight. Severe viral disease which conjunctivitis causes blindness and decimated the wild is accompanied by swelling of the Mrabbit population when it head and genital region plus lumps arrived in Britain nearly seventy on the body. years ago. The number and The rabbit can take a fortnight to severity of outbreaks varies over die and treatment of the “classic” time as the myxomatosis virus form of myxomatosis is usually is notorious for its ability to futile. mutate from year to year, and the background immunity in There are also two atypical forms the wild rabbit population also of myxomatosis: one causes varies. pneumonia and a snuffles-like illness; the other (“nodular Be especially careful if you have a being a bit “off colour” with a few Rabbits at myxomatosis”) mainly affects skin Greatest Risk dog or cat that hunts wild rabbits, skin lesions. and carries a better prognosis. Domestic rabbits do not have as they could bring rabbit fleas Treatment is usually successful any genetically based immunity If a vaccinated rabbit does develop home or into the rabbitry on their in the vaccinated rabbit with a against myxomatosis. If an myxomatosis, the disease tends to noses! You also need to make sure good vet, nursing care and a bit of unvaccinated rabbit catches be much less severe. that rabbits living outdoors cannot luck. But it is important to realise myxomatosis, it will almost The exact pattern of disease seen make contact with wild rabbits or from the outside that if the rabbit certainly die. in vaccinated animals is very hares. is badly affected, intensive and Rabbits at greatest risk are those variable, and impossible to predict. Can rabbits with prolonged veterinary and nursing which live outside, in contact with It depends upon how much care (weeks rather than days) may wild rabbits or hares, or affected by immunity the rabbit has. myxomatosis be treated? be required. If an unvaccinated rabbit catches rabbit fleas – so people with a dog Rabbits treated for myxomatosis Some rabbits develop just a few myxomatosis and develops the or cat that hunts wild rabbits must will need: odd skin lesions and remain full-blown classic form of the be particularly careful. otherwise well; others become disease, survival is very unusual, • Careful nursing care in a warm However, myxi can also be spread quite poorly and suffer from even when treated with antibiotics environment (21-22 degrees by mosquitoes, so any standing swellings and conjunctivitis more to prevent secondary bacterial centigrade). or stagnant pools of water where like classical myxomatosis. infection. • Regular bathing of sticky eyes mosquitoes may breed should be and genitalia. removed. Myxomatosis Most affected pets in this situation vaccination? are put to sleep, to prevent further • Fluid therapy – subcutaneous The virus can also survive Vaccination is a vital part of a suffering. fluids are usually used. in overwintering fleas and package of measures you can mosquitoes in hay and in houses. If a vaccinated rabbit is unlucky • Tempting food and force take. Make sure your rabbit/s are enough to catch myxomatosis, the feeding/tube feeding if How is it spread? What vaccinated and keep boosters up situation is much less gloomy. How necessary. happens when a rabbit to date. severely any one vaccinated rabbit • Antibiotics to prevent secondary catches myxomatosis? Even if your rabbit is vaccinated, will be affected is impossible to bacterial infection. Myxi is usually spread by biting you must also take steps to predict. It depends on how much This doesn’t make vaccination a insects (fleas, mosquitoes) carrying prevent biting insects getting immunity they developed after waste of time – far from it. Rabbits the virus. However, direct rabbit- to your rabbit. For example, fit their vaccination. Some rabbits that have not been vaccinated will to-rabbit spread can occur. insect screens to outdoor hutches simply develop a single skin lump almost certainly die if they catch The disease starts with runny and runs and eliminate standing and remain perfectly well. A few myxomatosis – rabbits that have eyes and swollen genitalia. If full water from your garden (where become really poorly. Others fall been vaccinated and catch myxi blown myxi then develops, the mosquitoes could breed). somewhere in between, such as usually live to tell the tale. RECOMMENDED READING: Rabbits Health, Husbandry & Diseases by vet Virginia Richardson (Blackwell). Softback, 188 pages. RRP £58.50 – £33 to F&F readers. Fur & Feather October 2018 29.
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