Rabbit plague, or myxomatosis in medical terms, is a dangerous viral infection of domestic and wild rabbits that is widespread throughout Central Europe. The disease is highly contagious and can take on epidemic proportions in unprotected populations. An effective vaccine is available as a preventive measure. Hares, on the other hand, are virtually immune to the pathogen.
The pathogen that causes myxomatosis is a virus from the poxvirus family. The infection can be caused by different strains of the virus with varying degrees of virulence (disease-causing properties). The virus is mainly transmitted by blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, rabbit fleas), but also through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated objects. After infection, the virus enters the rabbit's body via the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, the eyes, and the genital tract, or through injuries to the outer skin. In animals that survive the disease, the virus can remain infectious for up to 6 months after the disease. These animals, as well as many wild rabbits, are therefore considered to be a reservoir for the virus.
The disease occurs more frequently in the warmer and more humid months of the year and is facilitated by close contact between many rabbits. The virus can remain viable in the environment, in feces, or in contaminated material for months.
After an incubation period (the time between infection and the appearance of clinical symptoms) of 3 to 10 days, the first, usually very typical signs of the disease appear. A distinction is made between the edematous and nodular forms of myxomatosis, although mixed forms of both can also occur. The edematous form is usually more severe and almost always fatal, whereas the nodular form is significantly milder.
The first symptoms of the more common edematous form usually include doughy swellings on the mouth, eyes, nose, ears, and paws, which are caused by the virus multiplying and the resulting fluid retention. Affected rabbits suffer from conjunctivitis and increased tearing. The head often appears very misshapen as a result of the swelling. The anal and genital regions are also reddened, inflamed, and swollen. The general condition of the animals deteriorates rapidly, with fever and often secondary bacterial infections leading to purulent nasal and eye discharge.
The nodular form primarily causes nodule-like skin changes, some of which may break open but also heal again. The general condition of the affected rabbits is usually only slightly disturbed, and swallowing and breathing difficulties are less pronounced than in the edematous form. The disease tends to be chronic.
The disease progresses very rapidly. In advanced stages, swallowing and breathing difficulties occur, meaning that the animals can hardly eat or drink and become exhausted within a few days, eventually dying. Particularly aggressive virus strains lead to a peracute (extremely rapid) progression, in which the animals often die after only a few days without developing any symptoms.
Based on the typical clinical symptoms, especially in the edematous form, and a corresponding preliminary report (lack of vaccination protection), the veterinarian can usually make a tentative diagnosis. A smear or tissue sample may be necessary to confirm the suspicion.
There is no causal treatment for myxomatosis. In mild cases, the animals can be treated symptomatically, and spontaneous recovery is occasionally possible. However, even after the disease has ended, surviving animals continue to excrete the pathogen for months and do not develop any natural immunity to the virus. In most cases, however, the disease is very aggressive and almost always fatal despite treatment, so treatment is not advisable from an epidemiological point of view. If the rabbit already has severe difficulty swallowing and breathing, it should be euthanized for animal welfare reasons.
The prognosis for unvaccinated animals is generally poor, apart from occasional spontaneous recoveries. Vaccinated animals show a much milder form of the disease and therefore have a significantly better prognosis.
The only effective protection against myxomatosis is vaccination. Vaccination does not prevent the disease, but if infection occurs, it leads to a much milder course of the disease with a significantly higher chance of survival. However, to keep the risk of infection as low as possible, it is advisable to vaccinate a high percentage of all rabbits. The Standing Vaccination Commission for Veterinary Medicine (StiKo Vet), a committee of veterinary experts, therefore recommends vaccination against myxomatosis as a "core component," which means that all breeding and domestic rabbits should be protected against this disease at all times. In Germany, various vaccines are available, mostly as combination vaccines against myxomatosis and RHD. Depending on the vaccine, vaccination can be carried out from five, six, or ten weeks of age, sometimes requires a second vaccination after four weeks, and provides reliable protection for six months or a year. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your rabbit via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
With the help of a few simple measures, you as the owner can also ensure that your rabbit is exposed to a lower risk of infection. These include cleaning the rabbit cage daily and keeping it clean at all times, checking green feed for insects, and avoiding contact with wild rabbits.
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