Protect Your Pet Rabbit: Vaccines Explained
By Tom Seest
Do Domestic Rabbits Need Vaccines?
At BackyardBunnyNews, we help people who want to raise rabbits and bunnies by collating information about the hare-raising experience.
Rabbits are a wonderful addition to any home, but they do require a bit of TLC. There are various diseases that can affect them, and vaccinating your domestic rabbit can keep your pet healthy and safe. In this article, you’ll learn about Myxomatosis, RHDV2, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

Do Domestic Rabbits Need Vaccines?
Table Of Contents
- Is Rhdv2 a Necessary Vaccine for Domestic Rabbits?
- Can Myxomatosis Affect Domestic Rabbits?
- How Does Rhdv1 Vaccination Protect Domestic Rabbits?
- Can Encephalitozoon Cuniculi Affect Domestic Rabbits?
- Can Passalurus Ambiguus be Vaccinated?
- What Vaccines Do Domestic Rabbits Need?
- Can Snuffles Benefit from Vaccinations?
- Can Pasteurella Multocida Impact Domestic Rabbits?
Is Rhdv2 a Necessary Vaccine for Domestic Rabbits?
If you’re wondering, “Do domestic rabbits need vaccinations?” you may be wondering about the different diseases they can get. These diseases can lead to serious health problems, including encephalitis, which kills rabbits within three days of exposure. This disease is also caused by a virus that can be shed in rabbits‘ fecal matter, saliva, and nasal secretions. The virus can survive for 42 days at room temperature and three weeks near freezing. It’s also spread by flies.
Rabbits need vaccinations against the RHDV virus to prevent this disease from affecting them. While this vaccine has not yet been approved by the FDA, research indicates that it is safe and effective. Side effects can include lethargy and swelling at the site of injection but are typically minimal. The vaccine requires two doses, which should be spaced about three weeks apart. Booster vaccinations are recommended every year. This vaccination is recommended for all pet rabbits.

Is Rhdv2 a Necessary Vaccine for Domestic Rabbits?
Can Myxomatosis Affect Domestic Rabbits?
Myxomatosis in domestic rabbits is an infectious disease. It is spread by contact with an infected animal. In the 1950s, it was deliberately introduced into healthy rabbit burrows. This disease is spread by biting insects, most often fleas, but it can also be spread by mosquitoes, which can fly long distances in the wind. As a result, it is important to take the appropriate measures to prevent your rabbit from contracting the disease.
The first signs of myxomatosis in rabbits include lumps and swelling on the body, as well as discharge from the nose and eyes. It may also cause your rabbit to become lethargic and withdrawn. It may not even eat as much as it normally does. It may also exhibit lumps or swelling in the head, including in the eyelids and on the nose and face. Although this disease can be painful and debilitating, euthanasia is often the most compassionate choice for the rabbit.

Can Myxomatosis Affect Domestic Rabbits?
How Does Rhdv1 Vaccination Protect Domestic Rabbits?
Rabbits need vaccinations against certain diseases and parasites. While the majority of these diseases are confined to the wild, some can spread to domestic animals. These diseases can be fatal for your pet rabbit, so it’s important to keep them healthy and safe.
Luckily, there is a vaccine for this disease that can keep your pet safe. The vaccine is not yet approved by the FDA, but early research suggests that the vaccine is safe and effective. The side effects of the vaccine are mild swelling at the injection site, fever, and lethargy for a few days. In order to ensure full protection, your rabbit should have two doses at least three weeks apart. It’s also important to give your pet an annual booster.
The RHDV2 virus is not contagious to humans, but it can cause serious disease in domesticated rabbits. A rabbit infected with this disease may exhibit a variety of symptoms including lethargy, lack of appetite, and lack of defecation. The virus is transmitted via contact with the infected rabbit’s urine and feces. You should contact your veterinarian or state animal health officials if you suspect your pet may have RHDV2.

How Does Rhdv1 Vaccination Protect Domestic Rabbits?
Can Encephalitozoon Cuniculi Affect Domestic Rabbits?
Rabbits are susceptible to a variety of infectious diseases, both bacterial and viral. Among the most common infections in domestic rabbits is encephalitozoonosis. This disease is spread by fleas, and most infestations are caused by Ctenocephalides spp. Symptoms are often vague, but some rabbits have clinical signs that are recognizable to the owner.
This parasite causes liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal disease. It also causes ocular and central nervous disease. It is difficult to diagnose in live animals, making prevention and control difficult. Therefore, all rabbits should be tested before housing and should be separated from positive animals. In addition, a number of other steps can help reduce the chance of infection. For example, regular prophylactic courses of fenbendazole are recommended for rabbits that are frequently exposed to spores.

Can Encephalitozoon Cuniculi Affect Domestic Rabbits?
Can Passalurus Ambiguus be Vaccinated?
If you want to ensure that your pet rabbit is protected against diseases like Passalurus ambiguus, vaccination is the first step. This disease is caused by a tiny parasite called Passalurus ambiguus, which infests the caecum. Fortunately, most anthelmintics are effective against Passalurus ambiguus. Fenbendazole, a commonly used drug for treating worm infestations, is particularly effective. The medication has been shown to kill 99 percent of immature pinworms, and the drug is also effective against Obeliscoides cuniculi, another type of parasite.
Pasteurellosis can cause severe, debilitating symptoms in rabbits. While it is often not fatal, this disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected rabbits. The treatment for this condition involves giving your pet a course of antibiotics in their drinking water and feed. This medication will protect your rabbit from contracting this disease if it comes in contact with other animals that have this disease.

Can Passalurus Ambiguus be Vaccinated?
What Vaccines Do Domestic Rabbits Need?
Most pet rabbits won’t get infected with any serious diseases, but there are some diseases that require vaccination. One of the most common of these diseases is VGBK, a viral hemorrhagic disease that can be transmitted through contact with other animals or humans. It can also be spread through infected toys, blankets, food dishes, water bottles, and other objects. Furthermore, the virus can be passed to animals through blood-sucking insects. This is why it is important to vaccinate your rabbit.
The vaccine schedule of your pet rabbit will vary depending on the type of vaccine and the current health condition of your pet. Consult your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate schedule for your pet. The vaccines may be monovaccines, which require separate procedures, or complex vaccines, which provide multiple vaccinations in one procedure. Whatever type of vaccine your pet needs, make sure that your pet gets a booster shot every six months.

What Vaccines Do Domestic Rabbits Need?
Can Snuffles Benefit from Vaccinations?
The first question you might be asking is, “Do domestic rabbits shed?” The answer is “yes.” Although domestic rabbits are clean and have few health risks, some health problems can occur in your pet. However, these are rare and should not cause you to panic.
One major risk in pet rabbits is encephalitozoonosis. This disease may manifest as a severe neurological disaster, or it can be latent with no clinical signs. In a recent serological study of 277 pet rabbits, the disease was found in 41 percent of the animals tested. Of these, 51 (40.8%) of the rabbits were clinically positive. A random survey of 30 pet rabbits found eight rabbits with positive serological results, although the owners reported only vague symptoms.
Pasteurella is also a potential threat to pet rabbits. The bacterium can be transmitted to other rabbits by contact with infected limbs. Although this bacteria is not infectious in humans, it is common in rabbit colonies. Infected rabbits may remain asymptomatic, but they will still transmit the infection to other animals.

Can Snuffles Benefit from Vaccinations?
Can Pasteurella Multocida Impact Domestic Rabbits?
Pasteurella multocida is a common bacteria that can infect rabbits. The bacteria is known to cause abscesses and chronic inflammatory disease. These infections can occur in the nose, respiratory tract, or skin, and can also affect the reproductive system. If your rabbit is showing signs of infection, you should immediately take them to a veterinarian for treatment.
This bacterial infection is common in domestic rabbits. It’s usually a secondary complication of enteritis, but it can also be caused by other bacteria. The infection is usually preceded by upper respiratory disease, and poor ventilation is often a contributing factor. The affected rabbit may be anorectic and have a fever, and treatment will involve antibiotics.

Can Pasteurella Multocida Impact Domestic Rabbits?
Be sure to read our other related stories at BackyardBunnyNews to learn more about raising bunnies and rabbits.