PENBODE Pet Veterinary Surgeons has had a confirmed case of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Type 2 (RHD2) in Bude.

The company is asking anyone who has a rabbit die suddenly to let it know, to help monitor any spread.

The standard rabbit vaccine is against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Type 1 (RHD1), as these are the most commonly seen conditions.

Therefore, at risk rabbits will require a vaccination against RHD2. This vaccine is still very new and is currently required every six months.

RHD2 is relatively new in the UK and can be spread on clothing, through contact with infected rabbits and via birds or insects. Therefore keeping your rabbits’ hutch as clean as possible and avoiding any contact with other rabbits is important.

Symptoms are usually very quick to develop and include lethargy, breathing quickly and having an increased temperature.

Unfortunately, due to the speed of deterioration rabbits are often found dead or die suddenly.