Vaccinations for rabbits are necessary so that animals do not get sick, grow well and develop. Among domestic animals, rabbits are most susceptible to infectious diseases. Many of them lead to the death of animals, so vaccinations for rabbits become vital. The most common diseases among these animals are myxomatosis and hemorrhagic diseases. It happens that unvaccinated animals do not get sick for a long time, but these are rare cases and you do not need to rely on them. Vaccinations to rabbits, which are done on time and by a qualified specialist, will protect the animals from diseases, and if they become ill, then everything will take place in an easy and non-life-threatening form.
Rabbit vaccination
For rabbits, as for all other animals, there is an iron rule when vaccinating - animals must be healthy. If it is noticed that the animal is sick, vaccination must be postponed for a while. When vaccinating, a very important point is to follow the scheme: if several vaccinations are prescribed, and you missed the indicated time, then you will have to start all vaccinations from the very beginning. You should not vaccinate rabbits yourself, this should be done at the clinic, and if you have a lot of animals, you need to invite a veterinarian to your home.
As already mentioned, rabbits most often suffer from diseases such as viral hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis. Both vaccines for each indicated disease are used separately, as well as a complex vaccine for both diseases. Different experts have different opinions about which vaccine is better, mono or complex. But most importantly, you should not decide on the choice of a vaccine yourself, let an experienced veterinarian do it.
Rabbit Vaccine: Duration
There are certain periods when it is possible to vaccinate animals. Myxomatosis vaccine can be given to animals that are three months old. Vaccination against viral hemorrhagic infection is allowed after the rabbit reaches the age of 12-14 months, and it is used even for pregnant rabbits. Revaccination is carried out in a year.
Rabbits can be vaccinated both in the veterinary clinic and at home. Many specialists oppose vaccinations in the clinic, they motivate this by the fact that the animal is at an additional risk of getting sick during transportation and stay in the clinic. Also, the animal receives excess stress, which can negatively affect its health. But again, do not resort to self-vaccination of the animal. Only an experienced specialist will be able to properly vaccinate, select the dose of the drug and evaluate the general condition of the animal before it is vaccinated.
The vaccine is completely harmless to animals and is administered subcutaneously. Stable immunity is formed on the third day and persists throughout the year.
In addition to these two diseases, rabbits also suffer from such diseases:
- pasteurellosis is a bacterial infection that occurs in the form of small outbreaks. Rabbits are susceptible to this disease, starting from 40 days, and at any time of the year. The animal’s temperature rises significantly, a runny nose, diarrhea, conjunctivitis appear, and pneumonia later develops;
- salmonellosis is also a bacterial infection. Most often it affects rabbits at the age of 1-3 months. The animal refuses to take food, drowsiness and lethargy appears, then diarrhea;
- colibacteriosis is another bacterial infection that often affects rabbits. Symptoms are poor appetite, diarrhea, depression, and emaciation.
For vaccination against these diseases, a complex vaccine is used, which is produced by the Vitebsk Biofactory and the Stavropol Biofactory.