Vaccinations for rabbits against myxomatosis and VGBV: when to do, dosage. Associated vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease

Many home garden owners would like to know whether raising rabbits is profitable or not. These animals are known to reproduce very quickly. In addition, their meat is quite expensive. Therefore, the business of breeding them can actually become quite profitable. However, it will be possible, of course, to receive a stable, good income from a rabbit farm only if the animals are properly cared for.

Rabbits reproduce quickly, but they also die from various diseases very often. Therefore, one of the conditions for the success of the business of breeding these animals is vaccination. What and when vaccinations should be given to rabbits - we’ll talk about this later.

Most common diseases

Even with strict adherence to maintenance technology, these furry animals can become infected with a variety of infections. But still, the most common diseases of rabbits are myxomatosis and VGBK. Animals should be vaccinated against these two infections. Both myxomatosis and VGB are actually very dangerous diseases. If even one animal in a herd becomes infected, the farmer may soon lose his entire livestock. Unfortunately, neither myxomatosis nor viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits can be treated.

Why sometimes vaccines don't work.

It must be said that vaccination can sometimes fail. This can happen if the vaccine is expired or of poor quality. It may not work on a certain rabbit due to its individual characteristics. It sometimes happens that almost all vaccinated animals soon develop nodules indicating myxomatosis. This looks like a mild form of the disease. You shouldn't panic right away. This is quite acceptable, since the existing immunity will not allow the disease to develop, it will fade and the nodules will soon disappear. You can speed up the process of disappearance of these unwanted symptoms by lubricating myxomas with special preparations, for example “ASD Fraction 3”

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As I said earlier, treatment can be effective for the nodular form of myxomatosis if detected early. I won’t write anything specifically about medications. Just 5-10 years ago there weren’t any of those at all. Now, when you go to a veterinary hospital, they may be able to help you by prescribing an antibiotic and an immunomodulator in the form of injections. New drugs are developed and introduced very quickly. The main thing is not to waste time.

You should not think that myxomatosis is a death sentence for your rabbits. If you read the comments to the article and go to the forum, you will find examples of successful counteraction to this dangerous disease. For example, Fyodor Anikeev had to save his pets more than once during his 40 years of experience. I think his advice will be useful to you too.

The need for vaccination

Some farmers who live in remote areas and do not keep too many animals consider vaccinations against myxomatosis and VGBV for rabbits to be a completely optional procedure. And absolutely in vain. Unfortunately, remoteness and the absence of other rabbit farms nearby do not guarantee the safety of animals. Hemorrhagic fever is often brought into the farm by the owner or staff. The virus of this disease can remain viable for a long time in the air.

In some cases, it is also carried by the wind. Also, very often, rabbits become infected with VGBV through food purchased from private traders or even from a company. In this case, rabbits usually develop diarrhea. An inexperienced farmer may attribute this symptom to poor quality crushing. However, diarrhea, unfortunately, is one of the main signs of hemorrhagic fever.

The myxomatosis virus is also quite resistant to the external environment. In addition, it is very easily tolerated by various kinds of blood-sucking insects. So in this case, there is no guarantee of maintaining the health of rabbits on a remote farm. Therefore, the only way to protect animals from death due to infection is vaccination.

Epizootological characteristics of myxomatosis

Since no successful treatment methods have been developed, the most important step in the fight against myxomatosis is to prevent infection

It is important for the rabbit breeder to know the epizootic situation in the area and surrounding areas in order to promptly vaccinate and install disinfection and disinfestation barriers.

Historical reference

The first mention of the pathology dates back to 1898 - the clinical picture was described in Uruguay. In Europe, the disease was not noted until the 50s of the 20th century; the first case of pathology was registered in France in 1952. Moreover, the spread of the disease is exclusively artificial in nature - the virus was specially introduced to form an epizootic focus to combat the wild population of rabbits. They did the same in Australia; this led to the rapid spread of the disease in the regions, which was accompanied by mass deaths on farms.

The first introduction of the pathogen into rabbit farms in Russia occurred in 1978. Since that time, cases of the disease have been constantly recorded - usually small outbreaks, but mass cases of infection regularly occur (the last one was registered in 2005). The frequency of manifestation is associated with the characteristics of infection - blood-sucking insects.

According to the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, until 1994, the Tver, Smolensk, Vyatka, Belgorod regions, Krasnodar Territory, the Komi Republic and Udmurtia were unfavorable for myxomatosis in rabbits. Since 1994, Russia has been free from this disease for a long time, but in 2005 a new wave of epizootics was registered. The first outbreaks of myxomatosis were registered in the regions:

Novgorodskaya (Lyubytinsky district - 84 rabbits fell ill, Krestetsky district - 23 rabbits fell ill);
Ivanovskaya (Ivanovo - 1 rabbit fell ill);
Tverskaya (Ostashkovsky district - 150 rabbits fell ill).

In our country, sanitary slaughter of sick individuals and vaccination of the rest of the livestock are used as control measures. The volume of vaccinations is impressive. Thus, vaccination covers more than 600 thousand livestock annually. Despite this, myxomatosis still remains a pressing problem in rabbit farming, and cases of its occurrence are becoming almost annual in small farms in the country.

Characteristics of the pathogen

Taxonomy:

DNA viruses;
genus Leporipoxvirus;
family Poxviridae;
species Myxomatosis cuniculorum.

The virus is closely related to the causative agents of bovine vaccinia, human pox, and rabbit fibromatosis. Having suffered from the latter pathology, the rabbits acquire immunity to myxomatosis.

Cultivation of the causative agent of myxomatosis is carried out on the chorionic allantoic membrane (CHM) of chicken and duckling embryos. It is possible to grow a population on a culture medium from rabbit skin and kidney cells.

Resistance to various factors:

deactivation in 25 minutes when heated to 56°C;
preservation of the pathogen for up to 3 months at a temperature of about 8-10 oC;
found in dried skins for up to 10 months;
with deep freezing, pathogenic activity persists for about 2 years;
caustic soda and potassium hydroxide are inactivated by treatment with a 3% hot solution and exposure for 2 hours.

Dates

Most often, unfortunately, young animals in the herd get sick. Therefore, vaccination of rabbits against myxomatosis or VGBV should be carried out as early as possible. Very small suckling animals rarely get sick. The fact is that rabbit milk contains special substances that strengthen and greatly support the immunity of the young. However, when transferring young animals to self-feeding, the risk of contracting myxomatosis or VGBV is very high. Such animals can quickly contract an infection and die.

However, unfortunately, it is not possible to vaccinate rabbits against myxomatosis and VGBV immediately after they are separated from their mother. The farmer should definitely wait for some time. The baby rabbits' body must adapt to new types of food and develop its own defense mechanisms against infections.

It is believed that young animals should be vaccinated against myxomatosis and VGBV for the first time at the age of 48 days. For reliability, veterinarians usually repeat the procedure after three months. In the future, rabbits should be vaccinated against these two dangerous diseases every six months to a year, depending on the type of drug used.

Preventive measures to combat myxomatosis

However, no matter how high-quality and good the vaccination method is, in order for the disease of rabbit myxomatosis not to get out of control, it would not be amiss to once again remind about preventive measures:

Disinfection of animal cells and skins
Cleaning the area around the cages
Careful isolation of remaining slaughter products
Submission to the laboratory for examination of animals that died for unknown reasons.

And if, nevertheless, suspicious symptoms are still present in your pets, then contact a veterinary medicine specialist as soon as possible. Treatment will be much more effective if you start it when the disease is at an early stage.

What types of vaccines are there?

On farms, three main types of drugs are used for vaccination of rabbits:

tissue inactivated aluminum hydroxide vaccine;
dry live culture from strain B-82;
associated.

The first type of drug is used only against VGBV. Dry medicine from strain B-82 is used to prevent the development of myxomatosis in rabbits. The associated vaccine is most popular among farmers. With its use, it is possible to protect animals simultaneously from myxomatosis and VGBV.

Symptoms

Signs of the disease in rabbits depend on the form of the disease. Experts divide the course of the disease into:

Spicy.
Super sharp.

Symptoms of VGBV in rabbits are specific depending on the form.

In the acute form, it is recommended to pay attention to the first manifestations. The first symptoms of VGB include:

A sharp increase in temperature.
Lethargic behavior.
Refusal to eat.
Respiratory tract damage.
Intestinal disorder.
Problems with stool, namely loose stool.

The acute form is less common. Most often, rabbits are affected by a hemorrhagic virus in a hyperacute form. Diagnosis is difficult. The disease remains undetected for a long time. During this period, the virus manages to spread greatly among the farm animals. The disease does not manifest itself from several hours to several days.

A hyperacute course without symptoms provokes danger for all individuals. The infected rabbit continues to lead its usual lifestyle, eats, and the body temperature is not elevated.

The death comes as a surprise. Before the rabbit dies, it suffers several convulsions. Then he suddenly dies.

External symptoms of VGBV help determine the type of disease. Throughout exposure to the virus, pathological changes in internal organs occur. It is difficult even for an experienced breeder to notice disturbances in the functioning of internal organs. It is these violations that cause death.

How the virus works:

Once in the body of a rabbit, it begins to multiply instantly.
With sufficient distribution, it enters the circulatory system and is transported throughout the body.
Enters the lymphatic system.
Poisonous and toxic substances are produced.
Affects internal organs with a vascular structure.
Disturbs the interconnection of the cellular system.
As the disease progresses, nodular formations under the skin become noticeable.
Blood appears in the eyes.
Towards the end of the disease, the rabbit begins to vomit blood with the addition of blood, anus, and nose.
The liver, kidneys, and lungs increase in size.
Blood flow worsens, the heart slows down.
The spleen fills with blood.

Blood from the nose is often mixed with mucus and pus. In some individuals, blood discharge occurs only from the nose. Bloody discharge is not necessary.

Therefore, if the corpse of a rabbit is noticed, it must be urgently sent to the laboratory. Timely detection of a hemorrhagic virus will avoid the death of the family.

Tissue inactivated vaccine against VGBV: description and composition

This drug is a colorless (or pink) suspension with a loose sediment. It is produced in ready-to-use form in bottles of 20, 40, 100 or 400 doses. When used in rabbits, immunity to hemorrhagic fever is developed approximately on the third day after injection. Stability is maintained subsequently for 12 months.

The inactivated tissue vaccine can be used for rabbits from the age of 1.5 months. This drug is administered intramuscularly in a volume of 0.5 cm3. The injection is supposed to be given in the area of the middle third of the thigh. The vaccine injection site must first be disinfected using 70% alcohol. In this case, reusable syringes for vaccination can be used. However, a new needle must be taken for each animal.

This drug should not be used simultaneously with vaccination against myxomatosis. If rabbits have already been vaccinated against this disease, it is recommended to wait two weeks. Vaccination against myxomatosis is allowed no earlier than 10 days after injection with an inactivated vaccine.

This drug usually does not cause side effects. The only thing is that the animals’ appetite may decrease. Such symptoms, for example, as diarrhea in rabbits, a depressed or, conversely, too active state, should not be observed. And the appetite of vaccinated animals is usually restored on the second day.

Instructions for use and dosage

The result of vaccination depends not only on the quality of the drug, but also on the readiness of the animals for the procedure. The responsible owner carries out the following activities:

2 weeks before vaccination, pets are given an anthelmintic. If this is not done, vaccination will be useless.
2-3 days before the appointed date, the rabbits are taken under observation, paying attention to the appearance and behavior of the pets. The reason for canceling the procedure should be discharge from the nose, eyes, depressed state of the animal or diarrhea.
The baby rabbits are weighed. The pet's weight must be 500 g or more. Lagging babies will have to be vaccinated later.
Before vaccination, the furry beauties have their temperature taken. In a healthy state, the animal’s temperature rises to 38.5-39 degrees.

Dry culture vaccine against myxomatosis

This drug is also used quite often for vaccinations in rabbit farms. The advantage of the cultured vaccine with strain B-82, among other things, is that it can be used for animals from the age of 28 days. This becomes especially relevant in the summer, when there are a large number of blood-sucking insects.

This preparation is a porous dry mass of yellowish color. It is made from the attenuated strain B-82. The product can be used at any time of the year. For vaccination, the powder is diluted with a solvent in a 1:1 ratio. Most often, the injection is given intramuscularly. However, in some cases, intradermal administration (with a puncture of the ear using an injector) can also be used.

Immunity to myxomatosis in animals develops on the 9th day after the injection. It is subsequently stored for nine months.

Possible side effects and contraindications

As a rule, rabbits tolerate vaccination well. In rare cases, an animal may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Deterioration in health occurs 15-20 minutes after injection of the drug. Signs of an allergic reaction:

The pet has difficulty reacting to external stimuli.
The mucous membranes of the animal acquire a red tint.
The rabbit is breathing with difficulty.
The animal has increased salivation.
A rash is clearly visible on the pet's skin.

When 1-2 symptoms appear, the rabbit is given an intramuscular injection of Diphenhydramine or Suprastin. A single dose is 0.3 ml. To restore normal heart function, a drug consisting of 0.3 ml of sulfocamphocaine and 20 ml of saline is injected subcutaneously.

If the rabbit reacts normally to the vaccine, no problems arise. In some cases, the pet’s lymph nodes become slightly enlarged, but literally after 48 hours everything returns to normal.

Associated vaccine: release form and composition

It is this drug that is most popular on farms, as already mentioned. Using this vaccine, rabbits can be vaccinated against both myxomatosis and VGBV at the same time. This product is a dry porous mass, packaged in bottles with a volume of 10-20 cm3. Each container can be designed for 5-120 doses.

This vaccine is produced based on the B-87 VGBV and B-82 myxoma strains. When performing vaccination, the powder is diluted with saline solution.

When vaccination is useless What and when to do

The vaccine consists of artificially synthesized recombinant proteins of a microorganism or a killed, weakened culture of them. In the case of vaccination of rabbits, it is the latter option that is used.

To do this, they use tissue from animals that have died from a disease that is planned to be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination is aimed at producing specific antibodies that remain in the animal’s blood and, when encountering a pathogen, trigger a cascade of immune reactions to destroy it. Vaccination should not be effective if:

The vaccinated animals were in a weakened state and suffered from some kind of infection or helminthic infestation.
The individuals were infected at the time of the procedure with the microorganism against which the vaccination was directed.
The vaccine turned out to be expired.
The vaccination schedule was not followed.
The attack of the pathogen was excessive, and the developed immunity was unable to cope with it.

How to use it correctly

A veterinarian usually vaccinates rabbits using an associated vaccine. But if necessary, you can carry out this procedure yourself. Instead of saline solution, distilled water can be used. The dosage for vaccination against myxomatosis and VGBV for rabbits is usually 0.5 cm3. The injection is given in 1/3 of the thigh. You can also use the intradermal injection method (into the ear or sub-caudal mirror).

The injection site must be wiped with alcohol. In this case, it is allowed to use one needle on several animals. This vaccine can be stored for no more than 18 months in a dark place. Once opened, it should be used within a week at most. Immunity in rabbits develops on the third day of using this vaccine. It is subsequently stored for 12 months.

At what age is it done?

Rabbits receive their first vaccination at the age of 5-6 weeks, immediately after the offspring are separated from their mother. Until this point, the rabbits were reliably protected by the antibodies they received during breastfeeding. At the time of the procedure, the baby rabbit must gain at least 0.5 kg - underweight animals are not vaccinated.

Expert opinion

Zarechny Maxim Valerievich

Agronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best country expert.

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After 3 months, vaccination must be repeated. By this age, the animal's supply of antibodies received from its parents has completely depleted, and the rabbit desperately needs additional protection.

Vaccination rules

Vaccinations against myxomatosis and VGBV, therefore, are an absolutely necessary procedure. However, it is not always possible to vaccinate rabbits on the farm. As already mentioned, vaccinations are not given to animals that are too young. It is also prohibited to vaccinate rabbits that have had the disease or are weakened. Animals that have been found to have worms are not allowed to be vaccinated. In this case, it is necessary to carry out deworming first.

The medicinal properties of the vaccines discussed above do not differ. Therefore, after vaccination, given already during the incubation period of the disease, the animal will most likely die.

In any case, when vaccinating rabbits against myxomatosis and VGBV, the dosage must be strictly observed. Too much of the drug should not be used. A small dose will not give any result.

How to prevent myxomatosis and is it worth treating?

First of all, let me remind you of the common truth - any disease is much easier to prevent than to treat. For this purpose, there are reliable vaccines that have long stood the test of time and are successfully used by the overwhelming number of rabbit breeders. All other precautions described above are additional and do not guarantee safety. Read more about vaccination here.

Usually domestic rabbits on farms are not treated at all. And not all veterinarians take on rare ornamental animals. The likelihood of a complete cure is too low. In general, the procedure for epidemics according to veterinary legislation is something like this:

HAVING NOTICED A MASS DISEASE , you contact a veterinary hospital. Doctors, according to their internal documents, declare a general quarantine and a ban on all activities related to the movement of rabbits. All sick animals are culled, burned and buried in special places designated as burial grounds.

This also contains a formal answer to the frequently asked question about eating meat from sick rabbits. Although, theoretically, it is possible to eat cooked meat from a rabbit who is sick or has recovered from myxomatosis. Any infectious disease doctor will confirm this to you, since the disease is absolutely safe for people. I will add that there is no virus at all in the prepared rabbit dish. If it is resistant to chemical influences, then it is not at all resistant to elevated temperatures. So already at a temperature of 55° C it dies in a few minutes. It all depends on your personal feelings, concepts and disgust. So decide for yourself.

Personally, I never eat the meat of any sick or dead rabbits, as they say, my soul does not lie. And it is unknown when and where the virus will “mutate,” that is, its genome will change. After all, once upon a time both chicken and swine flu, caused by viruses, were considered harmless to people.

What infectious diseases are rabbits vaccinated against?

What vaccinations are given to rabbits? This question interests novice farmers and breeders of decorative rabbits. If you breed these animals, in rabbit farming it is mandatory for fur-bearing animals to be vaccinated against viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) and myxomatosis. All representatives of the rabbit family are susceptible to these infections.

After infection, the penetration of dangerous viruses into the body of animals, damage occurs to all internal organs and systems. The disease spreads quickly throughout the herd and in 70–100% of cases ends in the death of all pets. Therefore, vaccination against VGBV will help avoid infection of rabbits with a viral infection.