Myxomatosis

[Rubberduckie]

I have recently seen two rabbits dying of this terrible disease, not having seen it for 25 years. Having asked around, friends in Devon and Hampshire have also noticed that Myxomatosis is becoming common again.Has anyone got any idea why this might be?

[WendyS]

I thought the disease had virtually died out but we came across a rabbit in South Bucks last year which looked as if it was blind and barely mobile as we could walk right up to it and it didn't even move a step. Am not sure if new variants of the disease can flare up after several years of infections laying in the soil or grass but I agree with you, it's an absolutely horrible disease and I'm not even sure what to do if you come across one which is lying. Leaving it to linger in its suffering seems terrible and yet I'm not sure a vet would welcome you taking it into their surgery to spread infection to all the domestic rabbits they might treat. One of nature's unsolved problems I'm afraid.

[logman]

Myxomatosis tends to come and go in waves, usually outbreaks occur when a population becomes high, it may seem to completely disappear for a few years only to return with a vengance.

Apparently some signs of resistance has been claimed, due to rabbits learning to live outside of burrows, where the desease carrying flea dwells..

[GlitteryPink]

Yes it is very common and any domestic rabbits should be vaccinated against it before they go outside as the disease is carried by flies so very easily passed on. I just had my rabbit vaccinated and it only cost 18pounds for a double jab against Myxomatosis and VHD. Its such a shame about wild rabbits though there is nothing that can be done.

[Rubberduckie]

Thanks for your answers,everyone; I had the impression that the disease was created by scientists as a biological control. It would figure that over population among rabbits brings about reappearance of myxamatosis- we're over-run with bunnies round here.

[josaphine32]

we live in bucks and it is rife here the farmers use or used it .....i think they would say nothing to do with us!!

I always take them to st tiggywinkles wildlife hospital at haddenham, but the rabbits may be blind, and in excrusiating pain, but there still hard to catch, we tried to catch one the other week as there is an antidote they can give them, but there hidding instincs are amazing and we were unable to catch it...2 days later it was run over unfortunately....but my daughter and i try our best to catch them to stop there suffering

[jon1968]

I always have a priest with me when out in the fields to dispatch when necessary as this is still rife and I see it all the time (as was said rumour has it it's perpetuated by farmers), I think all the vet will do is put it down anyway as a wild animal.

Sorry this may sound harsh.

[Eels]

logman's right - it tends to come in cycles.

It's incurable and frequently fatal. Although some rabbits have been known to recover from the disease, I think it's cruel to try and nurse them through, with no guarantee of survival and terrible distress to a wild creature from handling and illness.

Best thing to do is a swift end to the life.

[Noweia]

Due to mutations new strains of myxomatosis can arise and spread through a rabbit population. It's spread mainly through the rabbit flea, but also by some biting insects.

It was introduced in Australia to control rabbit numbers, so you were almost right, Rubberduckie!

[logman]

Its sad but infected rabbits will have a slow lingering death. The kindest action to take, if you have the stomoch for it is to bludgen them on the head with a hefty club (priest) or hold the back legs and dash them against a rock or tree trunk, at least this method will be quick and relativly painless compaired to the alternative..