Timely vaccination of rabbits is the only way to prevent the mass death of animals from infectious diseases of various types. Breeders need to be aware of what and when to vaccinate rabbits.
What vaccinations are given to a rabbit
Rabbit breeding is a rather troublesome business. Those animals that are already sick do not have a chance to survive. Vaccination of rabbits should be carried out for all individuals, regardless of species or habitat. Ordinary walks, bites of some insects, eating fresh grass can provoke dangerous diseases.
Several types of dangerous diseases are known. Pathologies are not cured, provoking the death of the animal. Animals are required to be vaccinated against the following diseases:
- viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (VGBK);
- myxomatosis;
- rabies.
To treat these pathologies, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
VGBK
A similar disease develops from 6 weeks or more. The animal develops pulmonary and hepatic hemorrhages.
Penetrating into the cells of the skin, the viral agent multiplies and enters the internal organs with the bloodstream. The disease develops within 3 days. When an animal is found to be infected, it must be isolated from other individuals.
Symptoms of the pathological process:
- loss of appetite;
- the appearance of mucous secretions from the nose;
- increase in temperature indicators to high rates;
- convulsions.
The dead animal must be sent for laboratory testing to clarify the diagnosis.
Important! Rabbits are vaccinated every six months so that the stimulation of the immune system does not stop. However, the HBV vaccine is recommended for administration only 9 months after the previous one.
Myxomatosis
This is a dangerous disease for rodents. It affects the anus, lower gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.
The incubation period lasts about a week. The infection is transmitted through the bloodstream (from the female to offspring) and by direct contact with an infected animal. Often, the pathology is carried by insects that suck blood.
Symptoms of the disease:
- Conjunctivitis develops: redness of the eyes and nose is observed. There is a release of clear mucus and the formation of a crust.
- The body is covered with growths, and at an advanced stage – with dense cones.
- Wheezing and coughing are diagnosed.
- Knots are formed near the anus and organs of the reproductive system.
Important! To know what vaccinations should be given to rabbits with a similar pathology, you need to consult a doctor.
Rabies
A rare pathology that is periodically diagnosed in rabbits. Infection is carried out through the skin and, with intensive development, damages the central nervous system.
Healing is impossible, death is inevitable. The time of development of the disease is 1-2 weeks. Protection against disease – preventive vaccination.
Symptoms of the disease:
- intense salivation;
- changes in behavior and character.
The main way to counteract such pathologies will be vaccination. Without preventive vaccination, the lethal outcome reaches 70-100%.
Optional vaccines
Often animals are infected with pasteurellosis, salmonellosis and listeriosis. It is up to the veterinarian to decide whether to vaccinate rabbits against such infections.
Symptoms of pasteurellosis:
- chills;
- tearing;
- sudden jump in temperature.
Pathology often develops with improper care of rabbits. The first injection is given at the age of 4-6 weeks. In the first year of life, 2 or 3 more vaccinations are carried out. The animals are then advised to inject the vaccine every 6 months.
Symptoms of salmonellosis:
- diarrhea;
- vomiting reflex;
- refusal to eat.
Such a vaccine for rabbits is injected according to the same scheme as for pasteurellosis, with a difference between them of at least 14 days.
Listeriosis is often seen in females. They refuse to eat, there is lethargy, apathy. From all three diseases, a complex vaccination for rabbits is used. The vaccination schedule is developed by the veterinarian.
Vaccination of pregnant and lactating rabbits
It is not recommended to vaccinate pregnant rabbits. When such a need arises, it is optimal to make an injection for a short time, long before delivery. It is forbidden to vaccinate lactating rabbits.
Immunity in cubs is formed in the process of feeding on mother’s milk. Therefore, it is advisable to wait a certain period of time and vaccinate already strong rabbits. It is optimal to vaccinate small rabbits in the spring.
To avoid adverse effects, rabbits are vaccinated 1,5 weeks before mating. In such a situation, the body will be able to develop antibodies to the disease in time. In view of this, vaccination of pregnant females is carried out infrequently.
When is a rabbit vaccinated?
Vaccination of cubs is carried out after they are weaned from the rabbit. It should be noted that the immunity of the mother, which the rabbits receive with mother’s milk, lasts for 4 weeks after weaning.
During this period, the body of the cub should have time to develop antibodies. Late weaning from the mother favorably affects the formation of immunity, therefore weaning at 3 months is recommended. But more often, rabbits are taken after 4 weeks of life. In this case, the first shot of the vaccine is given at the age of 4-6 weeks. It is necessary to focus on weight gain in young individuals – it is optimal to administer the vaccine at an age when rabbits reach a weight of 0,5 kg.
Vaccination of rabbits against HBV during the development of an epidemic should be carried out earlier. The injection is repeated after 90 days.
The specialist needs to clarify at what age the rabbit is vaccinated so as not to disrupt the vaccination schedule.
Prepare
In order to vaccinate correctly and not harm the animal, the following instructions should be observed:
- Vaccines are administered to a healthy animal. When the disease and during the rehabilitation period, the body of the animal is weak. When injected, the risk of infection of the rabbit increases, since the immune system is not able to overcome the pathogen.
- Before vaccinating rabbits, you should carefully read the instructions. Preparations produced at different times may have differences in composition.
- Strictly observe the recommended dose. Its excess harms the body of the animal, and its decrease does not create stable immunity.
- Follow the procedure for vaccination and do not deviate from the deadlines. The rabbit’s body develops a defense mechanism only for a short time. Further, the likelihood of infection increases significantly.
- For 7-14 days before vaccination, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of worms.
- Before the first vaccination, the animal is weighed. Its weight should not be less than 500 g.
- You can not purchase funds in unverified places. The pharmacy must have a certificate for medicines. In addition, you need to check the dates.
- Since the vaccine is given to ornamental animals by a veterinarian, you should ask him to enter information about their implementation in the passport issued upon purchase of animals.
Now you can start vaccinating rabbits.
How to vaccinate yourself
It is undesirable to vaccinate rabbits yourself. For those who do not have the relevant experience, it is advisable to call for help a person who knows how to do this. If you decide to vaccinate rabbits at home, the following instructions must be observed:
- Read the instructions. Firms engaged in the production of medicinal products must indicate the dose, timing of revaccination and other information.
- Depending on the type of vaccination, intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous injections are given.
- It is necessary to observe the temperature regime. The temperature in the room is not higher than 28 degrees, otherwise it will be difficult for the animal’s body to fight the introduced virus.
- Store and transport the vaccine properly. Freezing is prohibited.
- The dry preparation is diluted with distilled water before use. Vaccination with such a mixture is carried out for several hours, otherwise the remedy will not be useful.
After 15 minutes, rabbits after vaccination may show characteristic symptoms:
- lethargy;
- redness and swelling of mucous membranes;
- rash on the skin;
- salivation;
- dyspnea.
Symptoms signal the development of an allergy. You can enter an antihistamine (no more than 0,3 cubic meters). If symptoms persist, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Complications
Within a quarter of an hour after the injection, the following may appear:
- redness and swelling of mucous membranes;
- intense salivation;
- rash on the skin;
- labored breathing;
- lethargy, including fainting.
This is how allergies manifest, the symptoms are not dangerous.
When the vaccine is useless
Known factors when the vaccine does not give the expected result:
- the animal was infected before the injection;
- non-compliance with vaccination;
- lack of preliminary deworming;
- the introduction of an overdue funds;
- the vaccine was administered to an infected or weak animal.
Vaccination will pass without consequences and will give the desired result, if it is done in a timely manner, a high-quality vaccine was used.
It is mandatory to vaccinate rabbits. An inadequate quality drug or an untimely administered agent is dangerous for the animal’s body. And although such a medical procedure is not cheap, the result will justify the costs. To find out what vaccinations are given to rabbits, you should consult with your veterinarian.
