A Disease That Kills Rabbits in Hours — and Why Many Owners Are Unaware
Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease is one of the most serious threats to domestic rabbits in the UK, and yet a significant proportion of pet rabbit owners have never heard of it. The disease causes internal haemorrhage and organ failure, and can kill an apparently healthy rabbit within twenty-four to seventy-two hours of infection. There are now two distinct strains circulating in the UK, each requiring separate vaccination, and understanding both is essential for any responsible rabbit keeper.
RVHD1: The Classic Strain
RVHD1 (caused by Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 1, or RHDV1) has been present in the UK since the 1990s. The virus targets the liver, causing fulminant hepatic necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Most affected rabbits die acutely, often with no prior clinical signs. Some owners find their rabbit dead with blood-stained discharge around the nose or mouth; others notice sudden collapse, seizures, or difficulty breathing in the hours before death. A small proportion of affected rabbits survive but carry significant organ damage.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected rabbits, contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, and via insects including flies and mosquitoes. Crucially, it can be carried on clothing, shoes, and hands, meaning indoor rabbits that never have direct contact with wild rabbits are still at genuine risk.
RVHD2: The Newer and More Complex Threat
Why RVHD2 Is Particularly Dangerous
RVHD2 (caused by RHDV2) was first detected in France in 2010 and arrived in the UK around 2013. It has become the dominant circulating strain in many parts of the country. RVHD2 is more complex and more dangerous for several reasons. It affects rabbits of all ages, including kittens under four weeks, which were previously considered resistant to RVHD1. It has a longer incubation period of three to nine days compared to one to three days for RVHD1. The clinical course is sometimes more subacute, with some rabbits surviving for several days and showing weight loss, lethargy, and jaundice — which can delay the diagnosis.
Critically, RVHD2 also infects hares and has been recorded in various wild lagomorph species across Europe, creating a large environmental reservoir. The virus is environmentally robust, surviving for weeks in the environment and resistant to many common disinfectants. Only products containing sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at appropriate concentrations, or specific virucidal agents, are reliably effective.
Distinguishing RVHD1 from RVHD2
Clinically, it is not possible to reliably distinguish the two strains without laboratory testing. Any sudden death in a rabbit, particularly one associated with neurological signs, respiratory distress, or nasal haemorrhage, should prompt consideration of RVHD. Post-mortem examination and PCR testing can confirm the strain. If you suspect RVHD, contact your vet promptly — particularly if you keep multiple rabbits, as the disease can move rapidly through a group.
The Vaccination Schedule: What You Need to Know
Separate Vaccines Are Required
This is the point that trips up many rabbit owners. No single vaccine in the UK currently provides complete protection against both RVHD1 and RVHD2. Two separate vaccines are needed. The combined Myxomatosis/RVHD1 vaccine (Nobivac Myxo-RHD) provides protection against myxomatosis and RVHD1. The RVHD2-specific vaccine (Filavac or Eravac, depending on your vet's preference) provides protection against RVHD2. Both vaccines are given by injection by a vet.
Timing and Intervals
The two vaccines cannot be given simultaneously and must be separated by a minimum interval — typically two weeks — to avoid interference. The standard schedule is as follows:
- Primary course: Myxo/RVHD1 vaccine from five weeks of age; RVHD2 vaccine from ten to twelve weeks (or at least two weeks after the first vaccine)
- Annual boosters: Myxo/RVHD1 vaccine annually (some vets recommend every six months in high-risk areas or seasons)
- RVHD2 booster: annually, though some vets recommend six-monthly intervals in areas with known high disease pressure
Your vet will advise on the interval that suits your rabbit's individual circumstances and local risk level. Do not assume that because your rabbit was vaccinated last year it is currently protected — check the dates and book a booster if it is overdue.
Protecting Indoor Rabbits: Why Vaccination Still Matters
The misconception that indoor rabbits do not need vaccination against RVHD is genuinely dangerous. The virus can be carried into the home on shoes, clothing, and gardening equipment. Insects can transmit it through open windows. Hay, straw, and fresh vegetables bought from markets or grown in gardens frequented by wild rabbits represent potential routes of exposure. No indoor environment is perfectly sealed. Vaccination remains the only reliable protection.
Other Rabbit Health Essentials
While RVHD and myxomatosis dominate rabbit vaccination discussions, two other conditions deserve mention. Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is a parasitic microsporidian that causes neurological disease, including head tilt, rolling, and hind limb paralysis. Preventive treatment with fenbendazole is available and widely used in the UK, particularly in rabbits with known exposure. Dental disease is also extremely common in domestic rabbits, particularly those not receiving adequate hay — the abrasive chewing of hay is essential for normal molar wear. Any rabbit showing reduced appetite or weight loss should have its teeth examined by a vet experienced in rabbit medicine.
Summary: What Every Rabbit Owner Should Do
- Vaccinate against Myxomatosis and RVHD1 using the combined vaccine, and against RVHD2 separately, with appropriate timing between the two
- Maintain annual (or more frequent) boosters for both vaccines — check your rabbit's records now
- Do not assume indoor rabbits are not at risk from RVHD; they are
- If a rabbit dies suddenly or unexpectedly, contact your vet — post-mortem testing can identify RVHD and protect other rabbits in your care
- Use only virucidal disinfectants confirmed to be effective against caliciviruses when cleaning hutches or equipment
- Discuss E. cuniculi prevention and dental health at your rabbit's annual health check
- Always consult a rabbit-experienced vet; rabbit medicine is a specialist area and general small animal practitioners vary considerably in their rabbit expertise
RVHD moves fast and leaves little room for delayed action. Vaccination, consistent hygiene, and prompt veterinary attention at the first sign of illness are the cornerstones of keeping your rabbit safe.