Mandatory vaccinations for rabbits. Dry culture vaccine against myxomatosis

Vaccination of rabbits is the most optimal way to eliminate the possibility of infection with various infectious diseases. Most often, rabbits suffer from viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) and myxomatosis. Diseases are incurable and in 99% of 100% lead to the death of the animal, therefore, preventive vaccination is mandatory.

Vaccination of rabbits is practically painless for the animal. But before carrying out the procedure, you must make sure that the rabbit is absolutely healthy, otherwise the risk that the animal may die increases.

A rabbit vaccinated with a vaccine retains stable immunity to infectious pathogens for 6 or even 9 months, but it all depends on the individual structure of the body and the reaction to a specific brand of vaccine. Another condition that must be met before vaccination is the prevention of worms. For these purposes, there are a number of drugs that can effectively and quickly cure a rodent without causing any harm to it. Such drugs include “Dirofen-paste”, as well as “Parasicide-suspension”, which has a sweetish taste.

The most optimal age for vaccination is 6-7 weeks, since during this period the animal can easily tolerate the procedure. The weight of the rabbit at the time of vaccination should not be less than 500 grams. It is highly undesirable to vaccinate a rabbit that is pregnant or nursing.

Separately, it is necessary to note the vaccination of individuals who are being prepared for competitions and exhibitions. The vaccination is done between 2 and 4 weeks from the date on which the event is scheduled. An animal can only be vaccinated at a government clinic, since the date of vaccination and brand of vaccine must be entered in the passport issued for the rabbit. Photo of the vaccination process:

What to do after vaccination

A rabbit that has been vaccinated must be kept in strict quarantine for 14 days. This is done so that the vaccinated animal cannot become infected from a sick rabbit, with which it is usually in the same cage. After the specified period, the vaccine is fully activated, and the risk of infection is reduced to zero. There are no special requirements regarding feeding the animal, therefore, the diet does not change after vaccination. The only thing that needs to be provided for the animal is open access to water.

As for side effects after vaccination, most often the animal exhibits profuse salivation, which is associated with individual sensitivity to the components of the drug. If side effects occur, additional treatment is not prescribed, as the symptoms go away on their own after a few days.

Vaccination schedules and vaccination schedules

Strict adherence to the chosen rabbit vaccination schedule is half the success of the procedure. Modern technologies have led to the fact that animal vaccination is carried out painlessly and quickly enough. In Russia and neighboring countries, the most popular are two schemes for complex vaccination of rabbits against infectious diseases.

Scheme No. 1. General vaccination of the animal. The first vaccination is carried out at the age of 45 days of life; the second vaccination is carried out after 3 months (no less, since during this period immunity to the disease is consolidated); revaccination is carried out every 5-6 months throughout life.

Scheme No. 2. Vaccination of an animal against viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) and myxomatosis.

1. First vaccination (against VGBV) – at the age of 45 days;
2. The second vaccination (against myxomatosis) – after two weeks;
3. Third vaccination (against myxomatosis) – after 3 months;
4. The fourth vaccination (against VGBV) - after 2 weeks;

In the future, vaccinations should be carried out every 6 months, alternating vaccines against diseases with a delay of at least 2 weeks.

Self-vaccination at home

If desired, rabbits can be vaccinated at home; even beginners can cope with this. It is best to seek help from a veterinarian and invite him to carry out the procedure. Below you can see this process in the video.

Are you interested? raising, breeding and keeping rabbits? Then you need to know how to protect your long-eared animals from sudden death! The most reliable way would beprevention in the form of vaccination for rabbits. When, why and how should they be done? What to do after vaccination? Read about this further in our article and watch the thematic video.

What vaccinations are needed and at what age?

Vaccinations for rabbits should begin after they are one and a half months old, but this is not always true. Vaccinations against diseases such as viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (abbreviated name VHD) and myxomatosis are required. Also in exceptional cases, if you are engaged in keeping or breeding ornamental breeds, a rabies vaccination will be required. We will look into what vaccinations are needed and when to do them later in the article. In addition, we will find out whether it is possible to vaccinate pregnant females and rabbits during feeding.

From VGBK

Individuals aged from one and a half months are susceptible to the disease. It causes hemorrhages and congestion in the lungs and liver. The disease progresses very quickly, and the incubation period lasts 72 hours. Symptoms include refusal to eat, miscarriages in pregnant females, mucus discharge from the nose and fever in the animal. Such symptoms are common and are inherent in a number of other diseases, so it is not always possible to identify the disease in time and prevent the death of the eared one.

VGBK is one of the worst enemies of long-eared animals when breeding them and raising young animals. The best method Vaccination of animals is considered a fight. You can buy the vaccine at any veterinary pharmacy; it is a pink or colorless suspension with a grayish sediment. Release form: bottles of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 cubic centimeters. The drug must be shaken before use. It is administered to rabbits intramuscularly into the middle third of the thigh, except for lactating females.

You need to start vaccinating your eared pets at 1.5 months, the dose per individual is 0.5 cm3. Only healthy rabbits are given an injection against VGBV. If the animals you are breeding die within four days of vaccination, this means that they were already infected with the virus. The lifespan of antibodies in the long-eared body is approximately 12 months. Rabbits receive immunity along with the mother's milk, but only during the feeding period.

For myxomatosis

Myxomatosis is a terrible purulent viral disease in rabbits. It affects the mucous membranes, genitals, digestive tract, etc. Mortality rates reach 70-100% of infected individuals. Symptoms include the formation of conjunctivitis, swelling and swelling, wheezing, coughing and various nodular formations. The disease has practically no cure, so vaccination is considered the only the right way fight against myxomatosis.

The vaccine is a neutralized strain of the myxioma virus with an embedded protective environment. Available in the form of a dry, slightly yellowish porous mass. Packaging varies, from 0.5 cm cubic. up to 10 cm3, it all depends on the type of packaging (ampoule or bottle). Vaccinations begin at 28 days of age. Females can be given injections at any time during pregnancy, but not during lactation. Three months after the first vaccination, it is advisable to revaccinate.

You can inject rabbits both intramuscularly and intradermally. In the first case, the vaccine is diluted 1/1 with a solvent and injected in a dose of 1 ml. In the second option, it is dissolved with saline and injected with a special injector into the upper third of the ear. The duration of action of the drug is 9 months.

Comprehensive

A complex or associated vaccine contains antibodies against VGBK and myxomatosis. Among those involved in breeding and keeping rabbits, it is considered the most optimal.

The drug can be administered in three ways: intramuscularly, intradermally and subcutaneously. It is not recommended to inject lactating females, but pregnant females can be injected at any time. If vaccination was carried out for the first time, then revaccination should be carried out after three months. Only completely healthy rabbits can be stabbed.

For rabies

It is optional, since rabbits very rarely get rabies. It is strictly not recommended for meat breeds; this also applies to lactating females. But those who are engaged in breeding decorative breeds should carefully do this, especially if they travel a lot and take their pets with them. The fact is that if the animal’s passport does not contain a note about receiving a rabies injection, then you will not be allowed on any plane and will not be allowed to pass at the border.

How to vaccinate at home?

We seem to have sorted out the main types of vaccinations for rabbits. All that remains is to clarify which ones should be done and when? It is also unknown whether VGBK and VMBK (myxomatosis) can be done simultaneously? This will be discussed further.

How to vaccinate baby rabbits?

Vaccination of rabbits in the case of an associated vaccine and VGBV is provided after the babies reach the age of 1.5 months. After three months, it is advisable to revaccinate. If we are talking about a vaccine against myxomatosis, then it is advisable to give the injection after the babies reach the age of 28 days. The entire range of vaccinations is recommended to be carried out once a year for meat breeds and twice a year for ornamental breeds. That's all the instructions for vaccinating young animals.

Vaccination of pregnant and lactating rabbits

Rabbits can be vaccinated with all types of vaccinations at almost any time. It is not advisable to do this only during the feeding period. Interestingly, babies receive temporary immunity through their mother's milk. Therefore, sometimes it is better to wait and carry out the first vaccination of young animals in the third month. In general, it is advisable to vaccinate mothers before pregnancy, due to a possible negative reaction to the drug, and then perform mating after about a week and a half.

As the experts say, the best option There will be a comprehensive vaccine. But if there is none, you need to carry out a separate vaccination. First of all, you can vaccinate against myxomatosis, and after 10 days you can do VGBK. Afterwards, you can change the scheme exactly the opposite, first - VGBK, after 10 days - for myxomatosis.

It is better to vaccinate against myxomatosis in the summer, since in winter there are no mosquito carriers. If we remember about babies, it is better if they receive their first vaccination not at one and a half months, but when they weigh half a kilo. You also need to ensure that all individuals are absolutely healthy before vaccination, otherwise the vaccine will cause mass mortality. Finally, rabbits should be thoroughly dewormed before starting a vaccination regimen.

Video “Master class on vaccination of rabbits from Belokon V.I.”

This video shows a short instruction from V.I. Belokon, Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, regarding all aspects of vaccination of rabbits at home and more.

A huge disadvantage of raising rabbits is their susceptibility to diseases that cannot be cured. What vaccinations should rabbits have? Fatalities from rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD) or myxomatosis are very high - almost 100%. It is against them that animals are vaccinated. All of these diseases are viral infections. Only a few individuals can survive. The risk of spreading the infection to other animals is also high, which leads to outbreaks of epidemics. It is necessary to vaccinate rabbits in a timely manner, which very often helps save their lives.

There are some aspects in which vaccinations will not work:

• the presence of helminthiases in animals;
• the rabbit is already a carrier of the infection against which it is vaccinated;
• violation of vaccine storage rules or expired use;
• non-compliance with the timing of repeated vaccinations.

Animals that are sick or have recently recovered are not vaccinated. Due to reduced immunity, the body is not able to cope with weakened or killed viruses. Females who are pregnant or nursing offspring are prohibited from vaccination to avoid possible infection of the young.

Vaccination against myxomatosis

The peculiarity of the virus is that it was created artificially by humans. To combat wild rabbits, a French scientist created this pathogen. The virus quickly spread and mutated. Animals are infected in most cases through insect bites, but sometimes it can spread by airborne droplets.

Symptoms of the disease:

• swelling of the organs of vision;
• temperature increase;
• onset of apathy.

The death of animals occurs within two days.

When deciding to vaccinate, the rabbit owner must take into account some rules, otherwise vaccinations are absolutely pointless.

The first vaccination occurs in the spring. Vaccinate animals older than one month; the medicine is reintroduced after 30 days; the third vaccination is carried out after six months with the onset of autumn. How further to vaccinate the livestock depends on climatic conditions. This is done either once every six months or once every 365 days. The most important indicator is the health of the animal. Only healthy rabbits are vaccinated.

Vaccination against VGBV

It is an extremely dangerous disease that is spread by infected animals (their feces); the infection can also be transmitted through the soil. The disease appears on the third day after the virus enters the body.

Symptoms of the disease:

• refusal of diet;
• the onset of apathy;
• disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.

The disease spreads very rapidly and ends with damage to internal organs.

At what age are rabbits vaccinated? Animals can be vaccinated upon reaching the age of 45 days. If rabbits have been vaccinated against myxomatosis, then animals can begin to be vaccinated against the viral disease two weeks later. The next couple of injections are given within a 14-day interval. The livestock is re-vaccinated once every six months.

In order not to maintain a gap between two different vaccinations, you can purchase a combination medicine (against VGBK and myxomatosis), the second name is associated. You will have to pay more, but using this medicine is much more convenient.

They are vaccinated with an associated vaccine as follows: the first complex vaccination is carried out on young animals at the age of 45 days; Vaccinated again after 60 days. Vaccination is repeated every six months. Purchasing a combination vaccine is a very convenient solution.

Optional vaccination

It is important for rabbit breeders to know what common diseases rabbits can be exposed to.

Pasteurellosis. Vaccination is not mandatory, but many breeders vaccinate their animals against this disease.

Symptoms:

• a sharp increase in temperature;
• signs of fever.

Young animals who have reached the age of 4-6 weeks are vaccinated for the first time. During the first year of life, 2 or 3 more vaccinations are needed.

Salmonellosis. Another name for the disease is paratyphoid.

Symptoms:

• animals refuse feed;
• presence of vomiting;
• diarrhea appears.

Listeriosis and rabies. Females are most often affected by the disease. The rabbit begins to refuse food and apathy appears. If rabies or listeriosis is suspected, healthy livestock should be vaccinated. This will help prevent the massive spread of the disease and subsequent death.

Many owners vaccinate their livestock themselves. The main aspect here is to carefully read the instructions.

Vaccinate pregnant females and very young rabbits without waiting for the right age unsafe. This can lead to complications after vaccinations.

The success of vaccination depends on compliance with the terms and conditions in which the medicine should be stored. Before you get vaccinated, you need to read the instructions for it, Special attention paid to dosages, the occurrence of possible side effects that the drug may cause.

You can either vaccinate animals yourself or leave this task to a specialist.

Self-vaccination

You can vaccinate rabbits yourself, invite a veterinarian, or take the animals to a veterinary hospital.

If vaccination is done independently, then it is necessary to comply with the conditions for transportation and storage of medicines, and pay close attention to the shelf life. Vaccines that are obtained by diluting the drug with distilled water cannot be stored for more than three hours. The vaccination is done intramuscularly (withers or thigh), before this the animal must be held as tightly as possible.

Beginning rabbit breeders should consult with a specialist to determine the need for additional vaccinations. Vaccinations for rabbits: when and what to do? The consultation will help you carry out vaccination correctly.

Characteristics of preparations for vaccination of rabbits

Rabbivak, which has three release forms, is popular among specialists.

Rabbivac - VB includes an associated vaccine against VGBV and myxomatosis.

The medicine is distributed in two ampoules - Rabbivac-B and Rabbivac-V.

The good thing about a combination medicine is that it is complex and acts against pathogens of two diseases at once. The vaccine can be administered to young animals from the age of 1.5 months and to pregnant females. Vaccination is repeated after 3 or 9 months.

24 hours after vaccination, rabbits may experience decreased appetite and signs of drowsiness. For 21 days, the livestock must be provided with the best care and nutritious feed. In cases where infection occurs before vaccination, the rabbit may die. Vaccinations are harmless to healthy livestock. The drug has no contraindications. It is permitted to slaughter animals for meat no earlier than 30 days after vaccination.

Rabbiwak-V

A good medicine for myxomatosis is a dry suspension of Rabbivak-B. The medicine contains a strain of the B-82 virus, thanks to which the medicine begins to have a positive preventive effect from the third day. The color of the medicine is creamy-light.

Rabbiwak – V

The drug, aimed at combating hemorrhagic viral disease, has a brownish-light color. The vaccine may have a slight sediment, which will disappear after vigorous shaking.

It is important to know:

• each rabbit is vaccinated intramuscularly with a separate sterile syringe;
• Vaccinations begin with the onset of early spring, before blood-sucking insects appear and become active;
• the vaccine must be diluted with distilled water or saline;
• the drug will retain its qualities for two hours after it is opened.

Lapimun

It is a prophylactic against VGBV and acts on the body for 365 days. It is recommended to use the vaccine once a year.

Opened product must be used within 7 days. Vaccinate intramuscularly with sterile needles. The drug begins to act 4 days after vaccination.

To avoid complications, this medicine should not be used together with other drugs.

Lapimumhemix

Refers to prophylactic agents against two diseases. Effects hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis.

The vaccine strengthens the immune system and helps maintain it for 10 months. Begins to act 7 days after vaccination. Repeated vaccination is carried out eight months later. When using Hemix, other medications should be excluded.

Deworming is carried out no earlier than 14 days after vaccination. Females are allowed to be vaccinated no later than 7 days before the expected birth.

How to use and mix the components of the vaccine is described in great detail in the instructions. It must be followed carefully.

Preventive vaccination against pasteurellosis in rabbits

Not only rabbits, but also avian species and even humans can get pasteurellosis. You need to take preventive measures as seriously as possible. The disease spreads when a sick animal comes into contact with a healthy one. Small rodents, insects, and birds can spread the infection. The infection can penetrate drinking water.

Veterinary specialists have developed many medications to prevent pasteurellosis. The following drugs are most widespread: “Formolvaccines”, “PestorinMormixa” and others. Young animals as young as one month old can be vaccinated. Whether booster shots are needed depends on the medication itself. Carefully studying the instructions and following the recommendations will help you use the drug correctly.

Vaccinations for rabbits: when and what to do (vaccination schedule)

Option #1.

1. The first time an associated vaccine is used for vaccination is when the animals reach the age of 45 days.
2. To strengthen immunity, repeated vaccination is done after 2-3 months. You can re-vaccinate after 60-70 days.
3. Revaccination is done every six months until the end of the rabbits' life. If rabbits are kept with access to walking enclosures, or the pet is often outdoors, it is better to do repeated vaccinations once every 5 months.

Option #2.

1. To start vaccinations, a monovaccine is used, dividing the vaccination into individuals who have reached 45 days of age. Experts recommend starting with VGBK, since the disease is the most dangerous, but some people vaccinate starting with a drug against myxomatosis.
2. After 14 days, vaccinations are given either against myxomatosis or against VGBV, depending on what the animal was vaccinated against for the first time.
3. Repeatedly after two weeks to consolidate VGB or myxomatosis.
4. We repeat the third point.
5. Next, for vaccinations you will need an associated vaccine, or against myxomatosis and 14 days later VGBV.
6. Subsequent vaccinations are carried out every six months. Either an associated vaccine or monovaccines are used 14 days apart.

Video. Vaccinations for rabbits: what and when to do?

Vaccination of rabbits is a very important part of their maintenance and care. Without vaccinations, rabbits are susceptible to serious diseases: myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD).

Without vaccinations, rabbits are susceptible to serious diseases: myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD).

Basic rules for vaccinating rabbits:

1. You cannot vaccinate an unhealthy animal. This is a universal rule in veterinary medicine. If the rabbits do not seem healthy, then it is better to wait a few days and observe their condition.
2. You cannot deviate from the vaccination schedule. If the scheme is not completed, then the entire course of vaccinations must be started again.
3. All vaccinations are given upon reaching 45 days of age.
4. The weight of the rabbit must be at least 500 g. Otherwise, vaccination should be postponed.
5. Female rabbits are vaccinated in the first half of pregnancy. Newborn rabbits have passive immunity for up to two months.
6. The rabbit should not have stomach problems.

How does vaccination work?

Today, you can choose any convenient form of vaccine for rabbits:

• against myxomatosis;
• against VGBK;
• associated (complex) vaccine against myxomatosis and VGBV.

All types of vaccines are well tolerated and do not differ significantly. Therefore, you can choose an available vaccine and not waste time searching. But it is much easier to adhere to the associated vaccine regimen, which involves fewer injections. Vaccines for rabbits are very demanding temperature conditions, therefore, when purchasing independently, it is important to transport them in a refrigerator carrier that maintains a temperature of +2 to +4 C.

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Rabbit vaccination schedules

Scheme for associated vaccine:

• first vaccination on the 45th day of life;
• repeated complex vaccination to strengthen immunity after 60-70 days;
• repeat the vaccine every 5 months (for rabbits walking on the street or balcony) or 6 months (for domestic ones).

They do the deworming themselves, even if all the vaccinations are given by a veterinarian. It is better to choose drugs that fight worms at all stages: from eggs to adults. The drug “Albendazole” in combination with “Gamavit”, which increases immunity, is well suited for this.

Regular vaccinations will keep rabbits free from diseases.

The risk of worsening the condition is only possible under the following conditions:

• expired vaccine;
• the rabbit is underweight or weakened;
• the second half of pregnancy or lactation of the rabbit;
• vaccination of a sick rabbit.

Scheme for monovaccines:

• on the 45th day of life you need to give the first vaccine (myxomatosis or VGBV);
• after 2 weeks - the first vaccination against the second disease;
• after 2 weeks - repeat the first vaccination to consolidate;
• after another 2 weeks - repeat the second vaccination;
• after 2-3 months, you can deliver either a complex vaccine or alternately a vaccine against myxomatosis and against VGBV (with an interval of 2 weeks);
• The vaccine must be repeated every six months during the rabbit’s life with an associated vaccine or alternating monovaccines.

It is worth remembering that no modern vaccine can guarantee 100% protection against disease. Therefore, caring for a rabbit, monitoring its resting place, regular cleaning, protecting it from unvaccinated animals - required condition maintaining your pet's health. Preparing a rabbit for vaccination. Before starting vaccination (home or veterinary), it is necessary to remove worms. Neglecting this preparatory procedure can increase the load on the rabbit's heart and make it more difficult for the rabbit to develop immunity. At best, the rabbit’s condition will not worsen, but the entire vaccination regimen will be useless.

Complications after vaccination. As a rule, rabbits tolerate vaccinations well.

At proper preparation rabbit and following all the rules, the undesirable consequences for the animal are minimal.

Deworming scheme:

1. For the first two days, give the rabbit only “Gamavit” (1.5 ml injections).
2. On the third day, give one injection of “Gamavit” and “Albendazole” (you need to dilute the drug at the rate of 0.75 ml per 1 kg of weight and give this amount twice - in the morning and in the evening).
3. During the fourth and fifth days, repeat the second point: “Gamavit” + “Albendazole”.
4. Give only Gamavit for another three days.
5. Albendazole can be administered into the mouth through a syringe without a needle. The rabbit may spit out the medicine. To prevent this from happening, you need to gently massage his throat.

Deworming should be done regularly throughout the rabbit's life, and not just during the vaccination period. Deworming must be completed by disinfecting the cage and all places where the rabbit walks. If there are other pets, they should also undergo treatment.

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Vaccination at home

In order to properly vaccinate a rabbit at home, the following steps must be followed:

1. Before the injection, the vaccine must be diluted with water for injection (0.5 ml injection per 5 ml water).
2. Using insulin syringes, an injection is made into the withers or hind leg at the widest point. The vaccine must be used within 3 hours.
3. Then you need to boil the syringe and throw it away.

Insulin syringes work well because their needles are thin and short, which reduces the risk of an incorrect injection. It should be remembered that self-vaccination does not provide a certificate from a veterinarian. Consequences of myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits. Many young rabbit owners are not aware of possible diseases in their pet, which can easily be prevented by vaccination. All of these diseases cannot be treated with medication, and vaccination is the only way to protect your pet and give it a long life.

Myxomatosis is a viral disease that affects the mucous membranes and causes swelling and inflammation throughout the animal's body, especially the eyes and genitals. Myxomatosis is easily transmitted from rabbit to rabbit, and when one is infected, the others quickly become ill. The disease has a 100% mortality rate, so vaccination against myxomatosis is mandatory. Myxomatosis is not dangerous for humans, although viruses of the same class cause herpes and smallpox. A person can only be a carrier of the disease after contact with an infected animal.

In addition to infected individuals, myxomatosis is transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and flies, as well as care items, bowls, drinking bowls and cages. The incubation period of the disease is up to 20 days. The first symptoms are conjunctivitis and redness of the mucous membranes. Rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease is an infectious disease that manifests itself in the form of diathesis of all organs. The virus affects the most important organs: liver, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract. The disease has high degree mortality rate (from 80%). The disease is transmitted from an infected rabbit through the air and care items, bowls, water, and drinking bowls.

VGBV is not dangerous for humans, but a person in contact with an infected animal can become a carrier of the disease. The incubation period is quite short and does not exceed 5 days (on average no more than 3 days). After latent period The disease progresses instantly and death can occur within 12 hours. Infected rabbits are irritable, lethargic, and refuse to eat. Convulsions, squeaking and bloody discharge from the nose may occur.

Rabbits that are bred as pets or decorative pets, like other animals, require mandatory vaccination. Vaccinations against the most common viral diseases of animals will not only prolong the life of a pet, but will also protect a person’s stay with a pet.

Why is rabbit vaccination so important?

Pets such as rabbits are very susceptible to various infections. And even keeping your pet indoors all year round will not save him from developing the disease.

Even the most common diseases of pets, such as worms and myxomatosis, lead to the death of the animal in 99% of cases.

In order to maximize the life of your beloved eared friend, experts advise carrying out preventive vaccination of animals. The procedure is practically painless for the pet, and is performed approximately once every 9-12 months, depending on the vaccine. The only condition for vaccination is that you need complete confidence that the rabbit is absolutely healthy.

What diseases should a rabbit be vaccinated against?

The rabbit is injected with a vaccine

There are a number of diseases to which pets such as rabbits are most susceptible. We advise you to familiarize yourself with them and possible signs of disease:

1. Salmanellosis (paratyphoid). This disease can occur in almost anyone pet. The main signs of the disease are refusal of the animal to eat, accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. In this case, it is necessary to get vaccinated against the salmonella virus.
2. Pasteurellosis is usually accompanied by high temperature animal, fever and pneumonia. Young animals are most often vaccinated against this viral disease; it is worth noting that females are vaccinated only if the disease occurs.
3. Rabies in rabbits affects their central nervous system and leads to the death of the animal.
4. Listeriosis often occurs in female rabbits. With this disease, female rabbits change in behavior, become apathetic, and refuse to eat.

It should be noted that if rabies and listeriosis occur in areas of mass rabbit breeding, all animals are subject to vaccination in order to avoid cases of mass infection with the disease.

What vaccinations does a rabbit need?

Vaccinate a rabbit against myxomatosis

The most common vaccines given to rabbits are for and against myxomatosis. 2 methods have been developed for the most effective vaccination of animals:

Vaccination of a general type of animal occurs as follows:

• at the age of 45 days the first vaccination is given;
• the second vaccination must be administered no later than 3 months after the first;
• every next 5-6 months it is necessary to revaccinate to strengthen the animal’s immunity.

Vaccination of an animal against HBV and myxomatosis should be carried out according to the schedule:

• at the age of 45 days the first vaccination against HBV is given;
• after 2 weeks, vaccination against myxomatosis is performed;
• after 3 weeks, vaccination against myxomatosis is repeated;
• After 2 weeks, the final vaccination of the rabbit against VGB is performed.

It should be noted that subsequent vaccination of the rabbit must be done every six months. In this case, only you can protect your pet as much as possible from the harmful effects of viruses.

How to prepare to vaccinate rabbits

It is imperative to prepare in advance for any vaccination of an animal. First, it is necessary to examine the animal for possible diseases, since vaccinating a sick animal may not only have no effect, but also aggravate the situation with the course of the disease. Secondly, a week or two before vaccination, you need to give the rabbit an anti-worm drug for prevention.

If you have just purchased a rabbit, you should not vaccinate immediately. It is best to arrange an incubation period for your pet. Observe the animal for a week or two; if there is no suspicion of any disease, you can vaccinate the rabbit.

Rabbit vaccination process

Vaccination of a rabbit on a farm

Vaccination of rabbits can be done both in special institutions, for example, veterinary clinics, and at home.

Regarding vaccination of rabbits in veterinary institutions. We recommend that you be present directly during the grafting process. Firstly, you can check the sterility of the syringes, the presence of the vaccine and, in fact, the vaccination itself, and secondly, try to learn as much as possible about the drug that is used to vaccinate the animal. Ideally, take a statement about how the animal was vaccinated. This may be necessary if a reaction to the vaccine occurs.

Most often, after several vaccinations of rabbits, their owners wonder whether it is possible to vaccinate at home? The answer is simple - of course you can! Firstly, it will save your time, and secondly, it will significantly save money. But, before vaccinating your rabbit, try to watch the appropriate video or get advice on proper vaccination from a veterinarian.

To vaccinate at home, you will need the appropriate vaccine and an insulin syringe, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. On average, a single injection is a dose of 0.5 ml, and the vaccine is diluted with plain water. The injection itself is injected into the area of ​​the animal’s withers under the skin or into the area of ​​the rabbit’s hind leg. Before vaccination, be sure to disinfect the injection area. It is also necessary to comply with the storage conditions for vaccination; the expiration date and storage methods are described by each manufacturer of the antiviral drug.

The effect of the vaccine for rabbits

In order for the rabbit to receive immunity against any possible infection, it is necessary to follow a clear vaccination schedule. But what does the vaccine do in the animal’s body? How does it help block the onset of disease?

A vaccine introduced into an animal’s body promotes the production of antibodies to specific infections and viruses. Also, it is the antibodies produced by the body that contribute to the death of already existing infection bacteria. So, if an infection enters the body of a vaccinated rabbit, the antibodies are already ready to fight it. If the rabbit is not vaccinated, it takes much more time and effort to fight the virus, and sometimes the animal’s body is simply not able to cope with the disease.

Activities that are necessary after vaccination of a rabbit

Vaccination is a rather complex process in terms of the necessary measures. After vaccination, the rabbit must be kept in strict quarantine for at least a week. Since it is precisely at the moment the body produces antiviral antibodies that the animal is most susceptible to infections entering the body. It is imperative to monitor your pet's behavior. If your rabbit becomes lethargic after vaccination and refuses to eat, be sure to contact your veterinarian..

As for the animal’s nutrition, there are no questions here; the food can be normal, but there should be a little more water, since rabbits drink more liquid after vaccination. Also side effect After vaccination of rabbits, the animal may begin to salivate profusely, but this is just a reaction to the components of the vaccine. Typically, this is not a cause for concern, and symptoms disappear within a day or two.

How long does the vaccine last?

It is recommended to vaccinate rabbits at least once every six months. Accordingly, the animal’s stable immunity to the pathogens of a particular disease is maintained throughout the period between vaccinations, that is, up to 9 months. Further, the risk of a harmful infection entering the pet’s body increases. The period of action of the administered drug depends individually on each animal and on the brand of vaccine used.

Which rabbits should not be vaccinated?

There is an opinion that adult rabbits that have not been previously vaccinated should not be vaccinated, because it can have a detrimental effect on the body. We hasten to assure you that this opinion is nothing more than another myth. Animals tolerate vaccination equally at any age. Just as animals are equally susceptible to disease. As for female animals, it is better not to vaccinate pregnant rabbits and females during feeding. Wait until the rabbits are weaned and vaccinate the animal.

Video about how rabbits are vaccinated