Rabbit Awareness Week runs from 26th April to 2nd May this year. To celebrate we are offering free health checks on all rabbits from the 26th April to 31st May. Just telephone the surgery for an appointment.

Now is also the time to vaccinate your rabbits. Rabbits need to be vaccinated against two very serious diseases; Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic disease. We are offering 10% off all rabbit vaccinations in May.

Myxomatosis is a serious viral disease of rabbits which is prevalent in wild rabbits in this country. It is spread by blood sucking insects, such as fleas and mosquitoes, so it can affect both outdoor and house rabbits. It causes swelling of the ears, lips, anus and genitalia and most rabbits with the disease will die.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease has only been present in this country for a few years, but is a very unwelcome newcomer. It causes sudden death from internal bleeding and most infected animals die very quickly, either with no warning at all or only a short period of illness. The virus can survive for a long time in the environment and can be spread on footwear and clothing.

Both these disease are preventable by vaccination. Recent research has shown that vaccination is most effective if it is performed in spring, just before the numbers of biting insects rise. Even if your rabbit was vaccinated later last year, we advise that vaccinations are given in the spring this year and boosters continued every spring.

It is possible to vaccinate rabbits at any time of the year, so if you get another rabbit they can be vaccinated later in the year. Whenever they receive their first vaccine, we recommend boosters to be given in the spring.

As a part of the vaccination your rabbit will be given a thorough clinical examination, and you will be advised on how to look after him/her and prevent common problems.

We look forward to seeing you and your rabbit at the surgery soon.