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Scottish Rabbits Die From Myxomatosis |
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Written by Jon Hunter
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Wednesday, 14 October 2009 14:24 |
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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.
by JonHunter
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.
In Shotton animal welfare professional , have recorded 11 cases of the disease in the past two weeks, which include five cases in just one day. Normally it would be abnormal to see more than a dozen cases within a six month period. In the UK cases of myxomatosis are usually occur from August through to February, Therefore a dozen cases is what would be expected throughout the entire year.
The rabbit disease, which may cause blindness, is often spread by mosquitoes and flees. Thus a pet rabbit does not need to come into contact with an infected rabbit in order to catch the virus, thus allowing an easy transfer from wild to domestic rabbits.
The disease cannot be easily treated and usually is fatal to rabbits; a vet has 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 causes blindness and then the rabbit in the wild will often either starve to death or be eaten by predators, the blindness is also distressing for rabbits."
The warm September in Scotland is the key. The spread of the disease is linked to an increase in the mosquito population as a result of an extended warm and dry period of weather. No other known 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.
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