Bunny Camp

HEALTH

I will spray your rabbit guinea pig with an anti-fly strike repellent spray on arrival (if you have no objection), unless you have already treated your pet yourself. I will repeat this weekly (if your pet is staying longer than 7 days), especially during summer months.

If your pet needs regular medication I will be happy to administer this at Bunny Camp.

Fly strike, or blowfly strike, is a serious condition, mainly affecting rabbits (and occasionally guinea pigs) that occurs mainly during summer months. Fly strike is caused by flies; attracted to damp fur, urine, faeces or the odour of rabbit guinea pig scent gland, lay their eggs on or around the rabbit's guinea pigs rear end where they hatch within hours into a seething bunch of maggots that eat into the rabbit's or guinea pigs flesh, eating it alive and releasing toxins in the process.

Greenbottles, see photo above, are one of the main culprits when it comes to fly strike, however they are not the only flies that are attracted to rabbits guinea pigs and cause this.

Overweight and arthritic rabbits guinea pigs, rabbits with heavy dewlaps, those prone to sticky bottom or suffering from a urinary infection are most at risk from fly strike but all rabbits guinea pigs should be checked for fly strike at least once a day in summer.

FLY STRIKE!! Dont let this happen to your rabbit...check their bottoms regularly. This happened to little Nibble in the month of October when you would least expect it. Luckily she survived the ordeal after a few visits to the vet and a lot of TLC from her mum.

VACCINATIONS

All rabbits must have certificates to prove they have had the yearly myxomatosis/vhd vaccination plus the new, yearly vhd2 vaccination. Guinea pigs don't need vaccinations.

NB: A new yearly vaccination is now available which combines Myxomatosis and VHD, this is a lot more efficient than the old vaccines and even better... works out cheaper!!!

Rabbits can (and should) be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Vaccinations stimulate the rabbits body to produce antibodies to particular diseases so that they become immune to (can't catch) them. Antibodies destroy viruses and bacteria entering the body. Different types of antibodies are needed to fight different illnesses. If a rabbit comes into contact with the disease after it has been vaccinated it has the antibodies already to fight the disease. An unvaccinated rabbit needs time to develop antibodies, during which the illness has time to develop and may be to advanced for the rabbit to fight successfully.

Myxomatosis: What is Myxomatosis?
Myxomatosis is a potentially lethal disease affecting rabbits caused by the myxoma virus of the pox family. It originally came from Australia where it was released deliberately to reduce the massive wild rabbit population which were considered pests. It was transferred, again deliberately, to France and from there spread to the UK. It is common among the wild rabbit population in the UK. Over 90% of wild rabbits contracting Myxomatosis die from the disease. Recovery is more likely in pet rabbits if given intensive veterinary treatment.
It is spread by direct contact and by insects. Fluids from a infected rabbit such as discharge from the eyes, nose or lesions on the skin contain the virus and can infect other rabbits through scratches, abrasions or contact with mucus membranes.

What is Viral Haemorrhagic Disease?
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a more recent disease than Myxomatosis, it was first reported in the UK in only 1992. It is spread through direct contact between rabbits and also through contaminated surfaces such as bedding, hutches and clothing. This means both indoor and outdoor rabbits are at risk.
It can survive for 3 months at room temperature. The incubation period is 1-3 days and death usually occurs 12-36 hours after the onset of fever.

 

All rabbits must have certificates to prove they've had their annual myxI/vhd vaccinations