Rabbit Illnesses - Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
One of the most common diseases pet rabbits are vulnerable to is RHD or Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. Symptoms are quite varied that some signs are easily detected like foamy, bloody nasal discharge. However other indications that the rabbit exhibit while infected with RHD is flipping excitedly inside the cage out of distress, rapid and substantial weight loss, and lethargy. Unfortunately the condition is often fatal by the time the symptoms are evident to the owner. RHD is caused by a virus called calicivirus. It was initially detected in China but later spread across the continents of Europe and lately in U.S. In the US it was first detected in 2000 and since then the spread of the disease had been to states such as Iowa, Indiana, Utah and New York. With such a rapid spread, it is time to spread the awareness of the disease among the pet owners. In terms of treating the disease, though vaccines are available, sadly none of them had been proven completely effective and the jury is still out for a more reliable one. Another sad fact is, once diagnosed with RHD there is no effective cure, especially if the disease is advanced. However they can be supported with medications to alleviate the condition. But a relief is that this virus can be detected by some screening procedures through a blood test. This provides the opportunity for the rabbits that are pets and homes and those that are available for adoption to be screened for the virus. Calicivirus, the cause of RHD can remain dormant in the body of the rabbits for months in suitable environment. Transmission is more likely during this dormant period. The longest reported survival of the virus is more than 3 months at 4C/39F. Transmission is through contact, mainly by consuming the feces of virus infected rabbit. So earlier detection is imperative and once diagnosed the infected rabbit must be kept isolated from the others and the mucus or feces should be disposed and should not be reachable to other pets. So far the virus is not detected to spread through any other methods. Disinfectant such as Environ and Formalin are identified as controlling the rapid spread of virus in the household. Even sodium hydroxide present in bleach is shown to have some effect. RHD virus is so far not reported to become active in other pets such as cats and dogs and human beings. Even few species of rabbit such as jack rabbits and other wild breeds do not contract the virus. Often it is hard to control transmission of a fatal virus when a wild animal is a carrier since the chances of exposure to feces are high while they are migrated. In the case of pet rabbits, use of litter boxes help control the transmission of virus to other rabbits. The disease is so severe and a close observation of the symptoms such as lethargy, unusual loss of appetite and tremors help in earlier detection and further transmission may be controlled. Once the virus is active, the rabbits become seriously ill and die in a few days. The mortality rate is between 30% and 90% so death is not a foregone conclusion. Once the symptoms of RHD are prominent, keep the pet isolated and visit a vet at the earliest. More Rabbit Selection Articles: | 