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VHD
Nov 30, 2007 18:04:05 GMT
Post by The New Arc on Nov 30, 2007 18:04:05 GMT
Please note:
We have a confirmed outbreak of VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease).
This is a highly contagious rabbit virus, and has no cure. If you area a rabbit owner, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND you contact your vet and ask for a vaccination against VHD IMMEDIATELY.
VHD is relatively uncommon in this area, so it has been a shock for us to have contracted it here. However, we are doing all we can to contain the spread of this virus, and would ask that you understand why we are closed to the public during this very difficult and traumatic time.
If you need more information about VHD, please do email or call us.
Please remember, this disease spreads very easily (carried on clothing from person to rabbit, and by other animals), is shows very few, if any symptoms, and is a killer disease.
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VHD
Dec 11, 2007 3:26:23 GMT
Post by keith on Dec 11, 2007 3:26:23 GMT
As you can imagine, each morning, checking the hutches, is a traumatic event!
To date we have lost 29 of our 59 rabbits!
The past 6 days, have seen no further victims!
However, we cannot be complacent. Vacinnations have taken place, but we will not feel safe until at least a month after the last 'case'.
We have contacted a number of 'Sanctuarys' whom have suffered outbreaks of VHD, and without fail, most of them have suffered between 75 & 95% losses!!!
It is hard to appreiate, that we have been fortunate, in this instance!
I'd like to think that this is down to our quick action, but, we may just have been very lucky!
Please! Please! Contact your local vet and insist that they vacinate your 'Bunny'!!
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VHD
Dec 27, 2007 21:19:58 GMT
Post by keith on Dec 27, 2007 21:19:58 GMT
Just a quick update on the VHD situation.
So far we have suffered no further losses to the disease, and have heard of no further outbreaks in the area.
However we cannot be complacent, and must insist, from now on that rabbits are vaccinated prior to coming to the centre.
VHD has an incubation period of 12 to 36 hours and can be carried on clothing, boots and inanimate objects for up to 3 months.
We will remain closed for rabbit intakes until the end of February.
Although VHD is no longer a notifiable disease, we contacted the 'Infectious diseases' department at Inverurie and all other local & ScottishRescue Centres that we could find.
We also informed the RWF ( Rabbit Welfare Fund ) who put out an alert to all their members and associate organisations.
Our one surprise was when we contacted the SSPCA inspector, who had visited our rabbits only 24 hours before the first casuality.
Their response....'Whats VHD?'
Chief inspector Carrolls response was equally enlightening when he informed me 'Our inspector has not been near rabbits for over a fortnight' . He also informed me that their staff were not trained Vets.
It does make me wonder whether his staff are aware of other infectious diseases and take suitable precautions when travelling from site to site. e.g. Strangles in Horses, Beak & Feather disease in birds, Parvo virus in dogs.......I could go on!
Enough said!
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