How, what and when to vaccinate rabbits?

Timely vaccination of rabbits is the only way to avoid mass deaths from infectious diseases.

For those who keep rabbits, it is imperative to know when to vaccinate, at what age and at what time.

What diseases are dangerous for rabbits?

In rabbits two types of dangerous diseases... They do not respond to treatment and are usually fatal.

1. Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease - VGBK.
2. Myxomatosis.
3. Rabies.

VGBK

VGBK develops from 1.5 months and older... In the animal, hemorrhages are formed in the lungs and liver in the form of hemorrhages and congestion.

Once in the skin cells, the virus begins to multiply and with the blood stream enters the liver and heart. The disease develops within 72 hours. If a sick animal is found, it should be urgently isolated from other animals.

Signs of the disease:

• loss of appetite;
• miscarriages in females;
• discharge of mucus from the nose;
• the temperature of the animal rises to 40 degrees;
• deathbed cramps.

The deceased animal should be taken to the laboratory for examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Autopsy reveals that the internal organs are swollen and filled with blood.

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis - this is another disease dangerous for rabbits. The disease affects the anus, lower digestive tract, genitals and mucous membranes of the head.

The developmental period is approximately 7 days. Animals are infected with the virus through blood and contact. Most often, the disease is spread by blood-sucking insects.

Signs of the disease:

1. Conjunctivitis is formed: the eyes and nose turn red. Transparent mucus is released from the bottom and crusts are formed.
2. Tumors form throughout the body: dense bumps appear throughout the body in the last stages of the disease.
3. The animal wheezes and coughs.
4. In the area of ​​the anus and genitals, nodules appear.

Rabies

Rabies... A rare but still common disease in rabbits. It is dangerous for both animals and humans. Infection occurs through the skin and, with deep penetration, affects the nervous system.

No cure, which is fatal. The incubation period lasts from 7 to 14 days. Preventive vaccination serves as protection against the disease.

Signs of the disease:

• profuse salivation;
• changes in behavior (they are either aggressive or too affectionate).

Viral Disease Vaccination Scheme

When vaccinated, the age of the animal is important., the formation of immunity depends on it. It is advisable to protect animals from stressful situations, because this weakens the immune system.

The vaccine works as follows: pathogens are present in its composition, and when the vaccine is done, the rabbit's body copes with them. In such individuals, as a result, immunity to viral diseases is developed.

The first vaccination takes place at the age of 1.5 months... If necessary, it is possible to make it 3 weeks old, but it is not recommended. Vaccination takes place at intervals of 6 months.

Only healthy individuals should be vaccinated.

With myxomatosis, the vaccine is given once a year., because most often this disease is spread by insects. It is also recommended to follow certain rules for the vaccination to be successful:

1. Spring - to individuals from 4 weeks.
2. After 1 month.
3. Autumn - 6 months after the first.

Adults are vaccinated every six months or once a year. In warm regions, every 6 months and in cold regions, 1 year.

Vaccinations against hemorrhagic disease:

1. The first is introduced at the age of 1.5 months.
   • after vaccination against myxomatosis, the vaccine is administered two weeks later.
2. The next two are administered within 2 weeks.
3. Thereafter, every 6 months.

Vaccinated according to the scheme:

1. First time in 1.5 months.
2. The second time after 2 months.
3. Repeat every 6 months.

Reasons why the vaccine does not work:

1. Expired vaccine.
2. Sick animal.
3. Violation of the vaccination scheme.
4. Poor storage conditions of the drug.
5. The rabbit is infected with parasites.

We vaccinate the animal according to the rules

In order for vaccination to be beneficial, there are some rules to follow.

Animals must be healthy... If you see that the rabbit is lethargic and there are suspicions of any disease, then it is better to postpone the vaccination and isolate the animal. Show it to your veterinarian for a diagnosis.

Read the instructions before vaccination. Since it is constantly changing, this should not be neglected.

Do not change the dosage yourself... Because in this case, vaccination may not help and immunity to the disease will not be developed.

Timelines should not be changed... Since immunity is developed for a certain period of time and if the timing is changed, then the effect of the vaccine will be reduced to zero and will not bring any benefit.

10 days before vaccination, animals should be worm: you need to give anthelmintic drugs.

The weight of the rabbits must be at least 0.500 grams. The vaccine should not be given to female succubines.

The interval between vaccinations should not exceed 2 weeks.

Buy a vaccine from a veterinary pharmacy, and not in pet stores and even more so on the market. During the purchase, ask about the storage and transportation conditions. Don't forget to check the expiration date.

If you bought an adult that did not have a single vaccine, then it's okay. Give the animal all the appropriate vaccinations in the same way.

How to vaccinate a rabbit at home: instructions

When vaccinating at home, you should considerthat this is a serious procedure:

1. If a female is vaccinated with a sucrol, the babies will die in utero.
2. Vaccination made to rabbits earlier than 3 weeks can lead to the death of the animal.

Therefore, before vaccination carefully read the instructions on the packaging... Look at the shelf life and conditions.

Study the instructions for use, dosage and side effect. Also, the vaccinations should be administered strictly according to the scheme.

How to vaccinate a rabbit yourself?

Vaccination on your own is not difficult. Before her, some procedures should be carried out so as not to harm the rabbit:

1. Swallow the animals for a week.
2. Sick rabbits should be isolated.

Give an injection better at the withers, but possibly at the thigh... Hold the animal tightly during this procedure.

The diluted drug is stored for no more than 3 hours.

After you vaccinate the animal, keep it in quarantine for 14 days... After this time, there is less risk of infection.

The animals are fed as usual. There must always be plenty of clean water in the cage.

Side effects are usually not observed, there is only increased salivation. No separate treatment is required. All symptoms disappear after a few days.

Rabbit vaccination workshop at the rabbit breeding workshop at the Agro Animal Show. Conducted by V.I. Belokon Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, Researcher, TOV "Bio-Test-Laboratory":

Vaccine produced in Russia

Associated vaccine against myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits dry.

Vaccine against myxomatosis rabbits, dry, live, cultured. Strain "B-82".

Tissue inactivated aluminum hydroxide vaccine against viral hemorrhagic disease.

RABBIVAK-B... The vaccine against myxomatosis in rabbits is attenuated. RABBIVAK-V... Against viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits inactivated.

There are also foreign-made drugs.

If animals die en masse on your farm after vaccination and you can prove that the vaccine was not of high quality, then you can sue the manufacturer so that the manufacturer will pay you compensation for the losses incurred.

But you can only sue a domestic manufacturer.

Rabbit diseases are difficult to treat... They are practically not amenable to treatment, therefore it is easier and more cost-effective to prevent diseases, especially dangerous ones.

The breeder should take care of the cleanliness and proper care of his pets. Also timely preventive vaccination of rabbits is mandatorythat will keep the livestock healthy and active.