Page 2 - April 2012

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For those of you who are planning to travel abroad on the pet
passport scheme this summer there is a timely article looking
at the recent changes to the scheme.
Also included are articles with a gentle reminder about
how important vaccination is to protect our pets
from potentially life threatening diseases.
The final article looks at the importance
of microchipping your pet and the
consequences of not doing so.
Welcome...
...to the Spring 2012
edition of Small Talk!
Rabbit
by
Ann Noble VetMB MRCVS
Paragon Veterinary Group
Rabbits
are the country's third most popular pet animal
after dogs and cats, with many of them belonging to children.
The two diseases that we vaccinate rabbits against are not
uncommon, are easily spread and are unfortunately usually fatal.
M
yxomatosis
came to the UK in the early
1950s and rapidly spread through the
wild rabbit population. It is still present in many areas of the
country although levels of infection come in waves. Up to 90%
of infected rabbits in the wild will die. In pet rabbits the
mortality is equally high although intensive treatment may
improve this slightly. It is a miserable disease causing
swelling around the head, particularly the nose, mouth
and ears, making eating drinking and breathing
difficult. The course of the disease may take
several days to weeks, usually resulting in death.
Once symptoms are clearly apparent, euthanasia
is often recommended to reduce obvious
suffering. It is commonly assumed that if rabbits
are kept in hutches they cannot become
infected. This is not true as myxomatosis is
spread not only via direct contact but also via
insects such as fleas and mosquitos. Even a
rabbit-proof garden might not be enough to
protect your rabbit.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
is a more
recent disease only arriving in the UK in 1992.
It is present in pet and wild rabbit populations.
VHD is an airborne virus spread from nasal
secretions. It can be carried by insects, birds and
mice and can stay present in the environment
for several months.
Disease in adult rabbits is unpleasant and usually
rapidly fatal, death occurring 12 to 36 hours
after the appearance of illness. It can therefore
present as sudden death and vets therefore may
be unaware of an outbreak.
Firstly, your
that ide
this
ou
The chip contains your pet’s own
missing and is handed in, all vets
the chip with a hand held scanne
database instantly to ensure you
soon as possible. Remember, if y
contact details change, or get a
important to update the databas
Microchipping is the most effectiv
identifying your pet; however, it is
all dogs to wear a collar with the
If you plan on taking your pet on
microchipping is one of the key r
Since being introduced in 1989,
have been microchipped, and thi
at an estimated 8,000 registratio
Vaccination
DID YOU KNOW...
Microchips
can be implanted
into almost any species from
dogs and cats to rabbits,
birds and even snakes!
Did you know
1 in 3
pets go missing
at
some point during
their lifetime...
A microchip is about the size
procedure is very simple and
pet will not be aware of the
material that is used in huma
Vaccination for both diseases is
the only effective preventative
action that can be taken, and a
new annual combined vaccination
is now available to protect your
rabbit against both diseases
.