What Vaccinations Will Your Pet Rabbit Need?

Who hasn't been seduced by pictures of tiny baby bunny rabbits or fluffy yellow chicks in pink and yellow Easter baskets and wanted to buy one for their kids as an Easter gift? Unfortunately this is one of the cruelest things you can do to a living creature. Children are often not capable of taking care of a live animal properly and especially a baby animal that requires extra care. When you decide that it is time to get an animal as a pet, it's a good idea to do some research and find out as much information about the pet you want BEFORE acquiring it. This way you will avoid any unpleasant surprises about your chosen pet plus you will be able to take care of your new pet properly.

While rabbits may look like they would be a fun and easy pet; they are not easy to care for. Having a rabbit as a pet is a huge commitment, both in time and money. Sure, rabbits are adorable, especially as babies, but they are also vulnerable to attack by predatory animals such as dogs, cats and large birds. In fact, seeing a predatory animal can, in some instances, cause your rabbit to die, just from fright. Rabbits are also susceptible to heat and overheating can cause death.

Pet rabbits will need a large cage, especially if he or she isn't allowed outside of the cage. The cage can be smaller if your rabbit will be spending part of each day outside of it. Rabbits make good indoor pets and can be trained to use a litter box. Check out AC Producer Emmarie Collins article "Successful Tips to Litter Training Your House Rabbit."

Another important thing to consider with your pet rabbit is shots. What vaccinations will your pet rabbit need? Generally pet rabbits do not need vaccinations as long as they live in the United States, however, if you live in the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Australia, then your pet rabbit WILL need to be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD).

These two diseases, Myxomatosis and Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD), are contagious and usually cause death in rabbits and are found mostly in European countries. Myxomatosis is a viral disease caused by the myxoma poxvirus. Myxomatosis was deliberately released into wild rabbits of Australia, France and the United Kingdom in the 1950's because of a huge wild rabbit population that was considered pests. It is transferred through direct contact with any fluids from a contagious rabbit and by insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and fleas. Unfortunately this means that indoor pet rabbits are just as at risk to catching myxomatosis as wild rabbits are. While cases of myxomatosis have been found in rabbits in the Western United States, vaccinations are not readily available here in the USA yet so check with your local veterinarian to see if it is available in your area.

Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a contagious rabbit disease that is spread from rabbit to rabbit but also by contact with contaminated clothing on the rabbits' human caregiver and any place a contagious rabbit has been i.e. hutch. VHD cases have started appearing in the rabbit population since the 1990's and both wild and pet rabbits are at risk.

There are vaccinations for both Myxomatosis and Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD). The vaccination for Myxomatosis can be given to rabbits as young as six weeks old but it is not safe for either sick or pregnant rabbits. Myxomatosis booster vaccinations should be given once each year unless there are a lot of rabbits sick with myxomatosis in your area, then booster vaccinations every six months are best.

The vaccination for Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) can be given to rabbits as young as three months and is also safe for pregnant rabbits. A VHD booster vaccination should be given once each year. A Myxomatosis vaccination and a VHD vaccination should not be given together; instead they should be spaced out at about two weeks apart.

Vaccinations for your pet rabbit may be a requirement for getting pet insurance, or if you will be boarding your rabbit during your vacation, or if you attend events such as fairs and rabbit shows. You will need to contact your local veterinarian to find out if the vaccinations are available in your area.

Giving a living animal as a gift is never a good idea unless you know for a fact that the person you are giving the animal too already has made plans to acquire one. And while owning a pet rabbit can be a lot of fun, it should never be entered into lightly. Rabbits can live about seven years, sometimes longer and knowing how to take care of them properly and the diseases they need vaccinations to be protected from can ensure a long and happy life for your pet rabbit and in turn, a long and happy relationship for you and your pet rabbit to share.