Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV): Vet Guide for 2025 🐇🧪

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV): Vet Guide for 2025 🐇🧪

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

🐾 What Is RHDV?

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious calicivirus affecting European rabbits and lagomorphs. RHDV2, the current strain, may infect young kits and wild species like cottontails and hares :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

It causes severe liver damage, systemic coagulopathy, and internal bleeding — mortality ranges from 70–100% without vaccination :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🔴 How It Spreads

• Direct contact with infected rabbits or carcasses
• Contaminated feed, bedding, clothing, shoes, cages, or gear :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Mechanical vectors: flies, mosquitoes, scavengers :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Resistant in environment — survives for months in carcasses or dried fluids :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

⚠️ Clinical Signs & Course

The virus progresses rapidly; many rabbits die before showing signs :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

Peracute cases:

• Sudden collapse and death, blood from nose or mouth :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Acute to subacute cases:

• Fever, lethargy, anorexia
• Labored breathing, neurological signs (coordination loss, tremors)
• Bloody froth at nose/mouth; jaundice in subacute cases :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Chronic RHDV2:

• Weight loss, gastrointestinal signs, mild neurological symptoms :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

🧪 How It's Diagnosed

• Clinical suspicion based on sudden death or bleeding signs
• Confirmatory RT-PCR or ELISA on liver, spleen, or blood :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Post-mortem key findings: extensive liver necrosis, hemorrhages :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

🚑 Treatment & Supportive Care

There is no antiviral cure. Veterinary care focuses on supportive measures:

• IV or subcutaneous fluids for hydration
• Syringe feeding of critical-care diet
• Maintain warmth and monitor oxygen — no antivirals exist :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Strict isolation to prevent spread during shedding up to 30 days :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

🛡️ Prevention & Control

Vaccination:

• Safe RHDV2 vaccines available — two doses 3 weeks apart, earlier from 28 days old; annual boosters required :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Bivalent vaccines (RHDVa + RHDV2) available in some regions :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Boarding, show, or multi-rabbit households must ensure all vaccinated :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

Biosecurity:

• Isolate new or exposed rabbits ≥ 30 days
• Clean and disinfect surfaces with bleach or other calicivirus-effective agents (Virkon S, sodium hydroxide) :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Hygiene: wash hands/clothes after handling rabbits :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Prevent access by wild rabbits/hare; avoid feeding forage from outbreak areas
• Report sudden die-offs in wild rabbits to authorities :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

📝 Public Health & Regulatory Guidance

RHDV only infects lagomorphs—not humans, livestock, or pets :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

In many areas, RHDV2 is now endemic. USDA and AVMA provide resources like client handouts, report protocols, and state-by-state vaccination guidelines :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

📋 Quick Reference Table

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Start vaccination early—28 days with boosters.
• Review protocols annually—strain updates could occur.
• Use only EPA/APHIS approved disinfectants against calicivirus.
• Maintain strict hygiene after handling any rabbit.
• Monitor sudden deaths—may indicate local outbreak.
• Have rabbit-savvy vet provide boosters and advice.

🔚 Final Takeaway

RHDV2 remains one of the most serious threats to pet rabbits globally. With no cure, prevention is essential. Effective vaccination, rigorous biosecurity, rapid response to suspected cases, and supportive care for affected rabbits are the foundations of protection in 2025 and beyond. Stay informed, stay prepared—and keep your bunnies safe. 🐇❤️

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