Viral hemorrhagic disease

[Rex79]

What do we do??

I think two of my Rex rabbits died of Viral hemorrhagic disease today. They both went floppy, stopped eating and drinking and had fits. About 7 or 8 months ago I had two rex rabbits die in the same way; at the time I thought it was the heat but now I believe it was a virus.

My issue now is what to do with the rest of my bunny herd? My herd now consists of a rex doe, a NZW doe and a Californian doe; plus 2 NZ kits and 2 rex kits that we planned to butcher in a months time - I lost my only buck. I also have 3 two week old rex kits that are now orphans as both mum and dad died; and 6 one week old Californian kits. Are they all now infected? Can I still butcher and eat my kits that are nearing butchering age?

My husband thinks we should cull the whole herd and possibly burn the bodies. He also thinks we should replace all our cages or at least disinfect them, then leave them empty for 6 months before restocking.

 

[secuono]

What country?
Get those bodies to the vet to find out the true cause of death.

 

[Rex79]

England. Vet bills are extremely high around here and so an autopsy I think is out of the question. The symptoms were almost exactly like VHD and If not that then another deadly infectious disease.

 

[promiseacres]

Some can survive it. Bleach kills it. Definitely close your herd. I have seen on a fb group posts from a breeder in Australia who had in his barn. They do have survivors which appear to be immune.
Here in the states you’re required to have it checked by a vet and autopsies and testing.

 

[Rex79]

@promiseacres what do you mean by "close the herd'?

 

[promiseacres]

@promiseacres what do you mean by "close the herd'?

No new rabbits in or out. Also no one but the caretakers in the barn. I believe they say burn any of the bodies but you should check on that as the bodies can transfer the disease.

 

[Rex79]

Thanks @promiseacres

I am concerned that we might of had this virus in the herd since the summer when our first two rabbits died and its just reappeared now, possibly because of the cold weather we've had here in the UK recently.

If I continue to breed will I be able to eat or sell the rabbits that are left in my herd or will this virus just keep reappearing?

We were planning on getting a Californian buck soon (in about 2 months) for our Californian doe and NZW doe, should we risk it?

I just wonder if culling the whole herd will be best? At least I would definitely know then that the virus was gone.

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

Do you have access to a government agricultural veterinarian? In Maryland in the past I took quail carcasses for autopsy. It was free. Took a couple days but I got my answers.

 

[Bunnylady]

I just wonder if culling the whole herd will be best? At least I would definitely know then that the virus was gone.

But, you wouldn't know that. If you have wild rabbits in the area, or are feeding anything that wild rabbits have access to (hay from another farm, for example), the virus could get introduced again.

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

You shouldn't do anything without getting some kind of testing done.