Let’s start at the beginning. Before you can vaccinate your rabbit there are some factors to consider – over all health – age – state of the liver esp, – state of other organs – any illness in the last few months, as this can flare up again. When they go in to be vaccinated, they must have a full tummy, and be hidrated. Also, if you can, use rescue drops or spray pet remedy to minimize their stress. Stress comes from the drive and the strange people and voices. Most rabbits do not like to drive or be away from their safe places. (Being prey animals) The vaccination is in a single dose, to the back of the neck, under the skin. The vaccine consists of mineral oil and dead RHDV2 microbes. So it is not active and not infective. We found that in about 12 %of the rabbits, the injection itself burned a bit. (Sensitive to the mineral oil) Some rabbits get a swelling at the injection site. Then: the rabbit’s white blood cells find the foreign bodies, and they organise a defense to make antibodies. This cause fever and malaise (very quiet and subdued) and loss of appitite in some. If your rabbit have a weak immunity, they may get sicker than other. They may feel a bit bad and not eat well – thus the reason to have them well fed just before the vaccination. It can take a day or so till the white blood cells calm down and antibodies is being made against the RHDv2 pathogens. They then start feeling better. Some have swelling around the injection site, just place a warm, moist cotton pad on and then softly massage every now and then that everything can be absorbed and it can desipate. If your rabbit have underlying infections, this may rise again as the imune system is attacking the RHDV2 pathogens and letting their guard down on other sites. So be aware of that (eg cases of pasteurella etc, where we saw some bad flareups). Rabbits between the ages of 8 weeks and 14 weeks have varying degrees of maturity in both their immune system and their liver – the liver breaks down the vaccine, and it can be very hard on the liver. Up till 7 weeks, babies have antibodies from their moms for many different illnesses, but around 7 weeks, their own immunity kicks in. It takes a bit to stabelize. Also, their livers start maturing as they have been weaned and they only have fully functioning adult livers by the age of about 14 weeks. So babies gets a bit sicker, esp with underlying infections of other types. You can vaccinate them, but stand ready to help them make sure they keep fed and hidrated, and having meds in case they get sick from something else. So all in all, the support you give your rabbit after vaccination, if they need it, is fluid support, squish and critical care to make sure their systems keep going. Keep an eye our for any other underlying infections, and that needs to be treated according to what it is if they get it. One of the first signs we saw in the younger bunnies, was “boogers” in the eyes. When you see that, give fluid. We prefer rooibos tea, as it calms the tummy stimulate the gut (gut rehidration) and is made up of a lot of natural minerals and nutrients. I hope this explained more on how the vaccine works and what your rabbit experience, and what to look for. With us having done so many, with all ages, and all cobditions, it was really a lot of data to collect, but it all came down to the basics – That first day for the vaccination itself, and then 2 weeks to see any underlying conditions. We have had quite ill bunnies vaccinated without any repurcussions except giving extra fluids. Lastly – remember, the vacci es for this is not new. It has been tested extensively in ALL ways. There is less than 2% rabbits that had issues because of the vaccine, most was from other underlying causes, of which the liver was most important. Sorry if this is bumbled but it will give you an idea for now. I will reformulate and place again in the next day or so.
