
RHDV - Rabbit Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Virus
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Virus (RHDV) is a type of calicivirus that is endemic in Australia. Initially this virus was foreign to Australia, however in 1991 was released into the Australian rabbit population as an attempt to control the wild ‘pest’ rabbits from eating crops. Unfortunately virus’s do not discriminate, and also affects our domesticated rabbit populations. There are two main strains of the virus, RHDV-1 and RHDV-2, and thankfully in Australia we now have vaccinations available to protect our pet rabbits.
The virus is transmitted via direct contact with infected rabbits, contact with infected faeces or other bodily secretions, and also from vectors such as flies or insects that spread the virus. The virus is extremely stable, and able to remain active in the environment for months.
Once a rabbit becomes infected, the virus causes inflammation of the liver leading to liver failure and bleeding disorders, often resulting in death. Lesions can also be found in other internal organs such as the lungs and heart.
Rabbits who become infected unfortunately have a very high mortality rate, most passing away within 36hrs of infection. Some rabbits do not display any clinical signs prior to death, and are often found deceased with bloody discharge from their nose or genitourinary tract. Other rabbits may show signs such as being lethargic, depressed, not interested in eating, discharge from their eyes and nose, mental dullness, tremors or seizures, with incoordination or trouble breathing.
Kits less than 8 weeks old tend to fight the virus very well and are not as severely affected as their adult counterparts. Most will develop a life long immunity to the strain of the virus they were infected with.
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