Killer rabbit disease warning
A killer virus triggered by the recent poor weather has struck down rabbits across the Black Country. A killer virus triggered by the recent poor weather has struck down rabbits across the Black Country. Vets in and around Wolverhampton have reported a flare-up in the number of cases of myxomatosis which can kill both pet and wild rabbits. If left untreated it can cause the animals to suffer agonising deaths as their eyes become puffy and they struggle to breathe. There has also been reports of a rise in the number of incidents of fly strike where flies lay their eggs on rabbits, which then hatch into maggots and effectively eat the animals alive. Experts say the rise of cases in both diseases is down to the wet and humid conditions which have plagued the summer months and have provided ideal conditions for the spread of insects and mosquitoes which cause the infections. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Vets in and around Wolverhampton have reported a flare-up in the number of cases of myxomatosis which can kill both pet and wild rabbits.
If left untreated it can cause the animals to suffer agonising deaths as their eyes become puffy and they struggle to breathe. There has also been reports of a rise in the number of incidents of fly strike where flies lay their eggs on rabbits, which then hatch into maggots and effectively eat the animals alive.
Experts say the rise of cases in both diseases is down to the wet and humid conditions which have plagued the summer months and have provided ideal conditions for the spread of insects and mosquitoes which cause the infections.
Richard Smith, from Richard Smith Veterinary in Codsall warned: "It is a terrible disease and we have definitely seen an increase in cases recently. When you have got children bringing in their rabbits thinking they are just a little bit poorly only for them to go home with an empty basket, it is just heart-breaking.
"Just recently we had a poor lad in and we had to put both his rabbits to sleep. We would urge owners to get their rabbits vaccinated against the disease."
Tina Hibell, the practice manager from the Cornerstone Veterinary Centre in Bushbury, warned walkers to be on the look out for wild animals who may be showing some of the symptoms of the disease.
She said: "We had one baby wild rabbit brought in with end stage symptoms."
And Ian Ross from the Connaught House Veterinary Hospital in the city added: "We have not seen cases of myxomatosis yet but we have seen an increase in the numbers of incidents of fly strike.
"We would urge everyone who has a rabbit to make sure they check it twice a day for any signs of the disease."
The Rabbit Welfare Association is receiving scores of reports from across the country each day about outbreaks of myxomatosis.
Anne Mitchell from the group repeated pleas for rabbits to be immunised.
