December 2010
TH E • What’s News?
B U N OL OGIST
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What’s News?
Mozzies Spread Myxo
Dec 2010 - http://www.sheppnews.com.au (Australia)
Goulburn Valley rabbit owners are being urged to protect
their pets against mosquitoes after a spike in myxomatosis
cases.
Local vets have been swamped with sick rabbits as the
virulent disease ravages domestic populations.
Tatura Veterinary Clinic's Phil Stammers said conditions
this summer increased the likelihood of pet rabbits
contacting the virus.
``It's all due to this wet weather and all the mosquitoes
we've got at the moment,'' he said.
``You usually get a bit of myxo, but there's been a real run
of it lately.''
(this is not just the Goulburn Valley region – Melbourne
metro suburbs and most of the country have been affected
– please see our article on myxo)
UVic rabbits find home in Texas
17 August 2010 – http://www.tracs-bc.ca (Canada)
If you’ve been following the story about the University of
Victoria’s rabbit relocation, this is the latest update.
A third batch of UVic bunnies all arrived safe and sound at
the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch in Texas on Wednesday
evening, November 24! To avoid snow conditions of 3 feet
or more that would have been the case if they had gone the
shorter route taken previously, these bunnies travelled
down the West Coast and then over to Texas. They did hit
some snow conditions and delays, but thankfully were able
to continue until they reached their destination.
•
•
Myxomatosis
A guide for house rabbits
Life at the Do Hop Inn
•
• Rabbit A La Berlin
Myxomatosis outbreak
16 December 2010 – Bendigo Advertiser (Australia)
An increase in mosquitoes in central Victoria is causing pet
rabbits to die from myxomatosis and is increasing the risk
of Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses.
Bendigo veterinarians have noticed a sudden increase in
pet rabbits contracting myxomatosis, a disease introduced
to Australia in 1950 to control the wild rabbit population.
McIvor Road Veterinary Centre veterinarian Dr James
Chadwick said there was a “massive increase” in rabbits
presenting with myxomatosis symptoms, including inflamed
eyes, swollen genitals and fever.
Dr Chadwick said there was no risk of myxomatosis being
spread to humans or other animals.
“On average we’ve had about six cases a day and because
it’s almost always fatal, the kindest thing to do is
euthanase,’’ he said.
“We can’t vaccinate against myxomatosis because it’s not
legal in Australia.’’
Glenda White, of Golden Square, said her seven-year-old
pet rabbit had to be euthanased by a vet on Tuesday after
showing signs of myxomatosis.
She wanted to warn people of the disease outbreak so
other pet owners could try to prevent their rabbits from
getting myxomatosis.
A Victorian Department of Health spokesman said
conditions were ideal for a mosquito population increase
because of increased rain and surface water. He advised
people to avoid mosquitoes and being bitten when
possible.

Myxomatosis
By the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic
www.melbournerabbitclinic.com
Myxomatosis is a poxvirus of the genus Leporipoxvirus,
first described in Uraguay in 1896.
The Myxomatosis virus was released in Australia in 1950 to
help curb the wild rabbit population. Initially the Myxoma
virus was extremely lethal to wild rabbits, killing an
estimated 99.8% of infected rabbits. However, over the
years, field strains of the virus has occurred, decreasing
the number of wild rabbits dying to 50-90%. Pet rabbits
have had no such selection pressure and even weak field
strains almost always result in death.
As with other poxvirus, the Myxoma virus replicates inside
the cells. Following skin infection (via biting insects) the
virus replicates in the cells of the skin. After several days,
these areas have large amounts of the virus. This is
assumed to help transmission when other biting insects
feel on an infected rabbit.
Within 24 hours, the Myxoma virus is found in the lymph
nodes. The virus then spreads to other lymphoid tissue,
the lungs, skin, testes and eyelids.
Clinical signs occur 2-10 days after infection with a red
swollen lesion at the site of inoculation. This lesion caused
by tissue necrosis and degeneration is not often obvious in
a pet rabbit.
6 to 14 days after infection there is a swelling of the eyelids
and bottom region. This can be associated with a snotty
nose and discharge. This can completely cover the nose
and eyes. The ears also become swollen and start to
droop. Secondary skin lesions can occur and secondary
bacterial infection of the respiratory tract can preceed
death.
Death occurs 10-14 days after infection. Highly virulent
strains can cause severe pulmonary oedema and death
without signs of classic myxomatosis infection.
Points to remember
• The Myxomatosis virus is transmitted between
rabbits by fleas, mosquitoes and in close contact
with infected rabbits.
• There is no cure or vaccination at present for
Myxomatosis in Australia and mortality rates are
between 96-100%.
• The only prevention in Australia at present is to use
flea and mosquito control. This means housing
under mosquito netting, minimizing or stopping
outside play during warmer weather and,
preferably, full time housing indoors in mosquito
proof houses with you!
The initial signs of Myxomatosis in rabbits are
•
swollen eyelids, ears and genitals. Death normally
follows 10-14 days after contracting the disease
• Myxomatosis is highly contagious and the disease
often infects all rabbits in the household. It it best
to separate infected rabbits as soon as signs
present.
• Treatment of pet rabbits is often futile and poses
moral questions regarding protracted suffering.
• Carefully disinfect the rabbit enclosure prior the the
introduction of another rabbit. Recommended
disinfectants are those with a spectrum of activity
covering such as 10% household bleach. Rinsing
off the disinfectant is also necessary to prevent
ingestion by rabbits. It is essential to disinfect
water containers and feeding bowls, etc, and also
human clothing, feeding materials and any other
objects that have been in contact with the diseased
rabbit.
• It is advised to not bring home any new rabbits to
the house for at least 4 months after Myxomatosis
infection. This not only allows reduction of the
virus in the immediate environment but also
reduction in neighbouring wild rabbit populations
due to seasonal changes.
Questions asked
One of my bunnies died from myxo. The other one looks
okay, what should I do?
Myxo is highly contagious. If the two rabbits were living
together, there is a very high chance that the second one
will already be infected. Keep an eye on the bunny, insect
proof the enclosure (just in case the second bun is not
infected but to also ensure that your second bunny cannot
be bitten by mozzies & pass it on to other rabbits in the
area). If your second rabbit has been infected with myxo,
signs will appear in the next week.
I thought myxo was only passed on from biting insects. Is it
contagious between rabbits?
Yes, highly contagious. If an infected rabbit breathes on a
healthy rabbit, it will be passed on.
One of my daughter’s rabbits was put to sleep last night
because of myxo. The other seems okay. He’s outside
having a run around now. What can I do to prevent him
getting myxo too?
Your backyard has infected mosquitoes that have passed
on myxo to your daughter’s first rabbit. The second rabbit,
even though it is not showing signs of the disease as yet,
will be in danger of being bitten from the same infected
mosquitoes if not already infected from the first bunny.
Keep your second bun enclosed in a mozzie proofed
enclosure and watch for symptoms over the next week.
Allowing the second bun to still roam free will only ensure
infection.
 How to train a human: a
guide for house rabbits
by bunnyhugga
http://www.bunnyhugga.com/training-your-human.html
Training your human can be time consuming and requires
a lot of patience as obviously they aren't as intelligent as
us. But, it needs to be done so the sooner you start the
better. For the benefit of house rabbits everywhere, we've
put together our list of rules which the humans should
follow. You could try putting this on the fridge door or
maybe on the TV screen...
• Don't disturb us when we're sleeping. Never, ever,
ever - unless the house is burning down
• When we want cuddles, we'll come and ask. Just
cos we're cute doesn't mean we want to be
cuddled 24-7
• Mealtimes must be strictly adhered to. No excuses
• Change our litter tray more often than you clean
your toilet. Seriously - we're a lot cleaner than you
• Just open the bag of hay and let us help ourselves.
We don't care about the mess and neither should
you
• Jumping on the bed is a much better way of
waking you up than an alarm clock. Admit it
• When we sit and stare at you, we're trying to tell
you something. At least make the effort to think
what it might be
• We're addicted to cables and therefore can't be
blamed for any accidental damage. Sorry about
that
• The sofa belongs to us just as much as it belongs
to you. Try not to sit on us please
• When we roll on our backs, this is not an invitation
to tickle our tummies. Or to start acting like the
paparazzi
• If something's in our way, we're going to nibble it.
No if's, but's or why's
• Like a man's garden shed, our den is sacrosanct so
enter at your peril
• If we bite you, there's a good reason. Try and think
what it might be and adjust your behaviour
accordingly
• We might cling to you when you take us to the vets
but that's only because you're the lesser of two
evils. Don't flatter yourselves
• Don't eat chocolate and biscuits in our presence.
It's like torture, we want it so much
• We know you're all individuals, have different
personalities and like different things. Kindly return
the favour
• If you have to clip our nails or whatever, do it as
quickly as possible and then pretend it never
happened. The loss of dignity is major
• When we turn our backs on you, get the message.
Talk to the bum cos the face ain't listening
• Don't call us out of our den unless there's a really,
really good reason. Like a visit from the Queen, or
food
• And finally... when we give you our trust, it's for life.
It's the best gift you'll ever get and you know it
So, encourage your humans to follow these rules and you
shouldn't have too many problems. The slower ones might
take a while but a gentle nip keeps them on the right track
and reminds them that bunny knows best. Good luck, fellow
house rabbits and remember - it's a bunny world, the
humans just live in it!
. Life at the Do Hop Inn Rabbit A La Berlin
By Karen December 2010 - http://rabbitalaberlin.com/

I’m not a big fan of summer at the best of times but this
year has really caused me to be very nervous. The
myxomatosis epidemic has hit most parts of Victoria and
Melbourne (and the rest of Australia) due to the break in
Australia’s ten year drought. We might have fabulously
beautiful gardens with all that rain but the rabbits are really
suffering with the plague of mosquitoes the rain has
produced.

Working one day a week at the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic

hits home to me just how many rabbits are losing their lives
to myxo by the number of phone calls I receive in just a few
hours. It is distressing and worrying that so many people
don’t understand the risk of rabbits living outside or the
number of enclosures that are still not insect proofed.

I can only hope with this myxo epidemic that people are
learning more about rabbits and understanding that indoor
housing is the only option for healthy, happy bunnies.

After a recent scare when I noticed that Princess couldn’t

open one of her eyes, that we realised just how vulnerable
our buns would be against a contagious disease.
Fortunately, Princess was okay and it must have been a
little bit of dust or hay that injured her eye. However, our
war against mozzies was stepped up a notch. We emptied
all bird baths & water bowls outside in the garden.
Overgrown plants were pruned. We netted a large water
pot after realising how many mozzie larvae were swimming
in the water. The water fountain was drained & covered
and the pond is doomed to be drained very shortly and
replaced with mozzie eating fish!
We have screens on our windows and all our doors. You
just can’t be too careful & still the mozzies are getting in!
We are going to look into plug in insect repellents to see if
they are safe to use around bunnies.
Each evening before going to bed, I’ve been conducting a
mozzie check. This involves turning on the hallway light
very bright. If there are any mozzies in the house, they are
attracted to the bright light. I can find them before I go to
bed & remove them.
A story about thousands of wild rabbits which lived in the
Death Zone of the Berlin Wall. As if the green belt between
the two walls was 'designed' for those animals - full of
untouched grass, the predators stayed behind the wall and
the guards made sure no one 'disturbed' the rabbits. They
had been living there for 28 years, enclosed but safe.
Unfortunately, the Wall fell down one day and the rabbits
had to look for another place to live. The film is an allegory
which brings closer the history of Eastern Europe as seen
from the 'rabbit' perspective.
This is also the first film showing the story of the Wall and
the reunification of Germany seen from such an unusual
perspective – from the rabbits' point of view. It refers to the
nature film convention, the Polish version is narrated by
Krystyna Czubówna [famous Polish nature films narrator].
What is interesting – German commissioning editors were
very enthusiastic about the idea of shooting a film about the
difficult time in German history by two Polish men, from
quite a surprising perspective

Our newest & littlest member of the family, Peter, is a

happy guy & seems to melt hearts when people meet him.
Attempts to find him a bunny friend has been difficult but
we still have hope that
he’ll find a friend soon.

This is Peter (left)

grooming Ally. Peter
is so friendly but
unfortunately Ally
decided that Peter
was not the friend for
him. Back to square
one!
From all of us to all of you, have a
happy & safe Christmas!