Protect your rabbit with vaccination There are two viruses that are released to control
There are different vaccines you can get for your rabbits, including: Combined vaccines offer annual protection against both myxomatosis and R(V)HD. Rabbits can be vaccinated from five weeks old. You'll also need a single, separate vaccine to protect against R(V)HD2 at 10 weeks old.
To prevent the spread of wild rabbits, Australia uses two viruses released into the population. These are Calicivirus, also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus or RHDV, and Myxomatosis. Your pet can be vaccinated against certain strains of Calicivirus, reducing their risk of falling ill with this disease.
Do Rabbits need vaccinations? While it's not the law to vaccinate pet rabbits, we strongly advise vaccinating your rabbit to protect them against sometimes fatal diseases. Keeping your annual vaccination appointment every year is really important for both you and your rabbit.
Should I vaccinate my house rabbits? Yes, we recommend vaccinating both indoor and outdoor rabbits because Myxomatosis, RVHD-1, and RVHD-2 can all spread via insects (such as mosquitos and fleas), wild rabbits, and on surfaces such as clothes and shoes.
As with most vaccinations, the price varies slightly between clinics, but you're looking at around $60-$90 per vaccination.
It's never too late to start a vaccination programme.
Older rabbits often have a weaker immune system so it is especially important to give them a helping hand and keep their boosters up to date.
Rabbits need at least one bundle of good quality hay everyday, and it should be as big as they are!
Myth #2 - Hay is just bedding
Hay isn't just bedding. Fresh, dust-free hay should be your rabbit's main source of food and you should make sure they have access to it at all times. Eating lots of hay or grass helps wear down rabbits' constantly growing teeth and keeps their tummies healthy.
In general pet rabbits don't need access to a salt lick in order to remain healthy. However like most animals, they need sodium to live and maintain bodily functions. Sodium is one of the major components of salt. So rabbits do need salt, but they are able to get all of the salt they need from their regular diet.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has approved an emergency permit (PER92219) for a vaccine to protect pet rabbits against the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus) virus type 2 strain (RHDV2).
It is noted that the average cost of rabbit vaccination is around $78 including a complete health check-up of bunnies. Teeth checkups, nails, ears, and eyes are in the fees. What vaccinations do I need for my rabbit?
Rabbits are vaccinated against Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (previously known as Rabbit Calicivirus) from 4 weeks of age and then every 6 months to maintain immunity throughout life.
Take your rabbit to see a veterinarian once yearly for an annual health examination. Spaying or neutering your bunny will help it to live a longer, healthier life.
The vaccine can be used in rabbits as young as 4 weeks of age, and requires a single dose, followed by a booster in 21 days. According to the manufacturer, rabbits should be fully protected two weeks after the booster vaccine.
Rabbits can be immunized by administering biweekly injections of a purified antigen, cultured cells, or cDNA.
Yes, it is safe for rabbits to eat cucumber! Most rabbits will love the fresh taste. Rabbits can also eat cucumber leaves. Before feeding cucumber to your rabbit, wash it in cold water to remove pesticides.
What can rabbits not eat? These foods are poisonous for your rabbit and could make her ill: Potatoes, daffodils, tulips, rhubarb, lillies, mushrooms, avocado, broad beans, sweet peas, buttercup, kidney beans, jasmine, foxglove and iceberg lettuce.
Generally speaking, suitable greens for every day feeding is lettuce (any kind EXCEPT iceberg - no nutrients) and herbs, which includes parsley, cilantro, dill, basil, etc. The amount is approximately 2 cups of veggies per 6lbs of rabbit (this can be split into two feedings).
Hay keeps the gut moving
Blockages can often be fatal. If a rabbit doesn't eat enough hay then this can slow down the rabbit's intestinal functions and cause serious problems eg. GI Stasis (see below).
Rabbits love grass or hay
Rabbits' food should be as close as possible to their natural diet, of mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend fresh leafy vegetables and a little commercial feed.
Grass is more nutritious than hay as hay is dried, causing some of the beneficial vitamins & minerals to fade over time. Just as their wild counterpart, a domestic rabbit will always opt to eat fresh grass over hay, and eat it with fervour too!
Anything longer than 24 hours is an unacceptable level of time alone for a rabbit. By the time day two rolls around, your pet will be growing anxious. She will wonder why you've not visited. A rabbit locked in a hutch for a weekend will also not be able to exercise.
Veterinary check-ups, at least annually - including treatment for external and internal parasites such as fleas and worms. Vaccinating against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD), as advised by your vet. Keeping away from wild rabbits and areas where wild rabbits live - they can carry diseases.
Young rabbits disperse from the nest at 15-20 days old. By three weeks of age, they are on their own in the wild and no longer require a mother's care. This means that young rabbits found on the ground may be completely healthy. Even though they look small, they are not orphans and do not need any human intervention.