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Fall changes wild rabbits’ food sources, prompting them to seek new sheltered locations and spend more time foraging <Link>. This often brings the rabbits closer to farmsteads, acreages and suburban homes. In areas where rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 is endemic, the risk of domestic rabbits becoming infected increases (see map).
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is an RNA virus. It causes sudden and severe liver failure. Once infected and showing clinical signs, survival is unlikely. The virus is very sticky and stable in the environment for up to three months and easily transmitted via fomites.”
Veterinary teams and rabbit owners can refresh their understanding of RHDV-2 and ways to reduce disease risks with resources provided by Medgene. The company produces the only RHDV-2 vaccine in the United States for this deadly disease that affects wild rabbits, hares and domestic rabbits.
Two of those resources are here.
Source: Medgene. Link.
- Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease – What you need to know to keep rabbits safe, YouTube, June 16, 2025. Link. [11:58] RHDV-2 expert Amanda Jones, DVM, shares information to help viewers understand more about this devastating disease, what to look for, and how to prevent it in rabbits and rabbitries.
- A successful pet rabbit exam with Dr. Micah Kohles, Medgene, Every Animal Has an Owner podcast, May 2, 2025. Link. [5:09] Micah Kohles, DVM, describes the hows and whys that support a successful pet rabbit examination. Veterinary teams and rabbit lovers will easily visualize what he shares, which includes practical reasons behind each step.
INSIGHTS: Rabbits are the third most popular pets in the U.S., according to National Geographic and The Humane Society. AVMA data indicates more than 1.5 million U.S. households own an estimated 2.2 million rabbits <Link>.
Commentary
The resources linked in this post total 17 minutes. Consider including them in vet clinic staff meetings and giving them to rabbit owners, 4-H leaders and agriculture teachers in your area, in social media posts and newsletters.
