Rabbits sickness does the rounds

Oct 8 2008 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

A WISHAW vet has warned owners of pet rabbits to ensure their animals have had a myxomatosis vaccination, as recently there has been an upsurge in cases of the disease in the town.

Audrey Rudder, of Nardini and Rudder Veterinary Centre, Russell Street, said: “There is no effective treatment for this disease so it is important that pet rabbits receive a vaccination jab which although not a cure for myxomatosis, is certainly preventative.”

The disease is caused by a virus which is spread by fleas and symptoms are swelling of the head and eyelids which leads to blindness.

Once infected it is almost impossible to treat the virus and the rabbit will usually only survive for two weeks.