Vaccination

Rabbits should be vaccinated against Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) and Myxomatosis.  Both diseases carry a high fatality rate and can be spread through either direct or indirect contact, including insects like mosquitoes which puts potentially any rabbit at risk.

Good rabbit boarding establishments require proof of vaccination to protect the health of all the rabbits in their care.

Annual boosters are required for both vaccinations and where there is a high risk of myxomatosis, twice yearly boosters may be required.

The vaccinations for VHD and Myxomatosis cannot be given together.  Your vet will leave at least two weeks between vaccinations.

The myxomatosis vaccination can be given from 6 weeks of age, and the VHD vaccination from 12-14 weeks.

The manufacturers of the myxomatosis vaccination recommend it is injected in two ways, the bulk of the vaccination is given just under the skin (subcutaneously) and the rest (intradermally) in the thick skin at the base of the ear.

Myxomatosis is most common in the late summer, so the best time for vaccination is in early spring.