Rabbit breeders near Ayer have been warned to be alert against an outbreak of a disease which is fatal to rabbits. Vets are reporting record numbers of rabbits being diagnosed with the deadly myxomatosis virus.

Veterinary Surgeons in Shotton, have recorded 11 cases in the last two weeks, including five cases in just one day. It would be unusually uncommon to see more than a dozen cases within six months. In the UK cases are normally reported from August through to February, so a dozens cases is we would expect to see throughout the entire year.

The disease, which can cause blindness, is often spread by fleas and mosquitoes and a pet rabbit does not have to come into contact with an infected rabbit in order to catch the disease, thus enabling an easy transfer from wild to domestic rabbits.

It cannot be easily treated and usually is fatal to wild rabbits; a vet commented “I have only ever had one rabbit survive in the last 10 to 15 years. If an animal has got it then we would advise euthanasia.” The disease usually causes blindness and then the rabbit in the wild will often either be eaten by predators or will starve to death, the blindness is also very distressing for the rabbits.”

The spread of the disease has probably been caused by an increase in the mosquito population as a result of an extended warm and dry period of weather throughout September. No other factors are deemed to be involved at this time.

Myxomatosis symptoms usually include swellings of the face, especially eye eyelids, nose and inner ear. Also the rabbits genitals may swell. Often the animal concerned may be seen become tired and loose its appetite.

An effective vaccine is currently available against the disease and owners and breeders could move a rabbit hutch indoors and use one of a number of special flea treatments available to reduce the chances of infection. Rabbit owners who have concerns are advised to telephone their nearest vet. The best medical advice available is that myxomatosis can not be caught by humans and people should be worried about there own health.

Jon Hunter is an SEO consultant based in cheshire who runs a number of sites including one about rabbit hutches.

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