Myxomatosis warning for rabbit owners
An excerpt taken from Channel 9 News on television
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Deadly disease threatens Victoria's pet rabbits
Veterinarians from the University of Melbourne are urging rabbit owners across Victoria to mosquito-proof rabbit cages to protect their pets from the deadly disease, myxomatosis.
The Head of General Practice at the University of Melbourne's Veterinary Hospital, Dr Leonie Richards, said there had been a recent surge in the number of cases of rabbits presenting with myxomatosis.
"We have seen an abnormally high number of rabbits with myxomatosis over this Christmas and New Year period - we want to make sure rabbit owners throughout Victoria are doing everything they can to protect their pets from the disease," Dr Richards said.
"The large number of mosquitoes around this year is a likely explanation for the recent high incidence of myxomatosis because mosquitoes transmit the disease.
"So the best way to protect your pet rabbits is to mosquito-proof enclosures."
According to Dr Richards, myxomatosis is almost always fatal in rabbits and the individuals diagnosed often have to be euthanised.
Common symptoms of the disease include running eyes and nose and puffy ears and genitals. If rabbit owners notice such symptoms, the best thing to do is contact your vet, Dr Richards said.