Vaccination has recently become increasingly the subject of heated debate, including regarding decorative rabbits. Do we need to vaccinate rabbits kept at home, is it worth spending money to protect against diseases, or is it better to use them if necessary for treatment, how high is the risk of infection of unvaccinated individuals - let's look at these issues in the article.

Why vaccinate an animal?

Vaccination should be mandatory because there are diseases that progress very quickly, so veterinary care can be late even if you use it right after you notice the problem. Please note that the microorganism that has entered the animal’s body for the first time does not manifest itself, but it is already destructive. Such diseases include myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease. The mortality rate in these cases is more than 90%, and a sick rabbit suffers severe torment.

Sometimes the owners think that decorative rabbits can not get infected, because they are kept at home and do not contact with other animals. However, the virus can be transmitted through the bite of a mosquito accidentally flying into the window, the discharge of a sick animal that has fallen on clothing or food. These reasons should encourage you to take your pet seriously.

Did you know? For 1 year, the length of the teeth of a decorative rabbit increases by 10 cm. He cuts them on solid food.

When and at what age can I get my first vaccine?

For the first time you need to vaccinate a 1.5-month-old rabbit, which weighs at least 0.5 kg. If your pet has reached the right age, but has not gained the indicated weight, you will have to wait. Up to this age, the animal is protected by maternal immunity, the effect of which later ceases.

If you bought an animal, and the seller did not tell you about vaccination information, proceed to the first vaccination 2.5 months after the date of purchase.

How often do you need to get vaccinated?

The interval between the first and second vaccinations is 3 months, between 2 and 3 - 6 months, between all subsequent vaccinations - 6 months.

What vaccinations are needed

A decorative rabbit must be vaccinated against myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease (HBVC). There are also vaccines for rabies, fungal infections, pasteurellosis, listeriosis.

Vaccination preparations are:

1. Live, containing attenuated live virus.
2. Inactivated, containing dead virus.

The former train the animal’s immunity better, but are more difficult to tolerate.

Learn about the lifespan of decorative rabbits.

Depending on the number of diseases the vaccine is aimed at, there are:

1. Monovalent, designed to develop immunity against a single virus.
2. Combined (associated), creating immunity against several viruses.

Monovalent drugs include:

1. "Rabbivak-V" (Russia) - from the All-Russian State Library.
2. "Rabbivak-V" (Russia) - from myxomatosis.
3. "Rabbivak-R" (Russia) - from pasteurellosis.
4. “Lapimun-Gem” (Ukraine) - from the All-Russian State Library.
5. “Lapimun-Mix” (Ukraine) - from myxomatosis.
6. Pestorin (Czech Republic) - from the All-Russian State Library.
7. Miksoren (Czech Republic) - from myxomatosis.
8. The vaccine from myxomatosis from strain B82 (Russia).
9. Pazorin-Ol (Czech Republic) - from pasteurellosis.
10. Tissue inactivated vaccine against HBVC (Russia).
11. Miksovak (Russia) - from myxomatosis.
12. "Biokan R" (Czech Republic) - from rabies.
13. Live dry vaccine from listeriosis of agricultural animals from the AUF strain (Russia).
14. Wackderm (Russia) - against fungal infections.

Ampoules contain a dry substance that must be diluted with water for injection according to the instructions.

Combination drugs include:

1. Pestorin Mormix (Czech Republic) - from HBV and myxomatosis.
2. Lapimun Gemiks (Ukraine) - similar to the previous one.
3. Associated vaccine for rabbits against myxomatosis and HBV (Russia).
4. “Nobivak Myxo-RHD” (Russia) - unlike other means protecting against myxomatosis and HBV, requires administration 2 times less often (1 time per year).
5. OKZ vaccine against salmonellosis, colibacteriosis, protea, klebsiellosis of agricultural and fur animals (Ukraine).

Important! Between vaccinations using monovalent powders from myxomatosis and HBV should take 2 weeks.

Scheme and schedule of vaccination

The routine of preventive injections for rabbit diseases can be represented as follows:

• 1.5 months (weight more than 0.5 kg);
• in 3 months;
• in 6 months.

All subsequent vaccinations are carried out every 6 months.

How to do your own vaccination

You can vaccinate a decorative rabbit without the help of a veterinarian, if you carefully follow all the requirements. Did you know? Decorative rabbits are very smart: one day you may find that your pet is free to walk around the room, as he learned to personally open the cage door. First you need to carry out preparatory procedures:

1. 2 weeks before the procedure, give the drug against worms. If anthelminthic treatment has already been carried out within 3 months before this, you can skip the step. This measure is necessary so that the parasites do not weaken the immune system.
2. Do not bathe the week before, follow the changes in habits, bowel movements, health status.
3. Buy a vaccine in a veterinary pharmacy, checking its compliance with the shelf life and observing the requirements for transportation and storage.
4. Make sure that the female is not pregnant.
5. Exclude from vaccination nursing females, sick and weakened animals, rabbits that do not meet the desired age and weight.
6. Make sure that the body temperature of the animal on this day is 38.5 ... 39.5 ° C.
7. Inspect eyes, ears, nose, hair, skin for signs of damage.

Video: Inoculations to decorative rabbits

To administer the vaccine:

1. Buy an insulin syringe or a needleless injector, worry about the availability of allergy medications (Suprastin, Tavegil, Dexamethasone).
2. Make sure that the air temperature in the room is not higher than + 28 ° С.
3. Carefully read the instructions for use of the drug.
4. Dilute the powder in the ampoule with water for injection according to the instructions for use. In finished form, the injection is suitable for no longer than 3 hours.
5. For intramuscular administration, prepare the thigh, for the intradermal - the withers, for the subcutaneous - the ear region of the rabbit.
6. Use the help of someone from the household to keep the animal motionless.
7. After the introduction, do not leave the rabbit unattended in order to notice the manifestation of an allergic reaction or side effects in time. If necessary, enter an antihistamine, call a veterinarian.
8. Make a mark in the vaccination passport to observe the exact interval between vaccinations.
9. Throw away the used ampoule and syringe, wash your hands.
10. Provide your pet with two-week quarantine.

Important! Do not administer the vaccine if the rabbit is sick, has worms, the drug is expired or stored at a temperature higher or lower than described in the instructions.

What vaccinations do not need a decorative rabbit

There are vaccines, the introduction of which is not necessary for ornamental rabbits, since the diseases against which they are prescribed rarely occur, only certain species (females or meat breeds) are affected, and they also pose a threat of infection only in case of an outbreak in the region (or the mortality rate minor from them).

Among these:

• listeriosis;
• pasteurellosis;
• fungal infections;
• salmonellosis;
• rabies.

In the latter case, it should be noted that for animals that travel with their owners or travel to exhibitions, such a vaccine is mandatory.

Based on the foregoing, vaccination should be an integral part of the care of a decorative rabbit. It is important not to expose your pet to risk of dangerous diseases and be sure to carry out this procedure.