RHD vaccines are not commonly used throughout most of North America (where I am) because the disease is not endemic to our continent. I’ve never seen any marketing for them here, either strain. We are fortunate that our wild rabbits do not seem very susceptible to the disease so we have not had an epidemic. I believe Cuba does have this as an endemic disease, but I’d have to look that up.
Depending on your global location, vaccination protocols differ. RHD-2 emerged in France almost a decade ago and is more prevalent in areas it spread to. Veterinarians are going to vaccinate for the most likely culprit in your area, so vets in the US don’t typically vaccinate for RHD because we have the disease eradicated when it does crop up. Our wild lagomorphs aren’t serving as reservoirs to infect our domestic population.
Studies show that there is some cross protection possible between RHD-½ but doesn’t confer full immunity. Studies have had trouble sorting out individual factors that affect apparent cross protection so I wouldn’t call it a guarantee. Your vet is the one who will decide what vaccine gives your bunny the best protection based on location specific data and guidelines.
Myxomatosis, another viral disease, is seen in areas around California, Oregon, and Mexico where wild lagomorphs are reservoirs for this disease, but really not prevalent in the rest of the US. It’s been used as population control of rabbits as an invasive species in other countries.
All of this is also subject to vaccine approval, which the combo vaccine is in the USA, which means it is legal for veterinarians to administer. This may be a factor in the adminstration of a killed combo vaccine in your area. It’s gotta be legal or our licensing boards can give us hell if something goes awry, not to mention someone’s lawyers.
If the vaccine is available in your area then vaccinating your buns is a must. If it’s not available then follow the advice listed and make sure your buns are kept as safe as possible.
As a just in case I have moved the majority of my stuff, mostly rabbit photos, over to pillowfort. I’m not closing this account, but having been through several platforms in the past it’s always good to have a backup.
A horde of squirrels invaded the people’s houses. They were eating all the food, but the worst part was that they were smashing and dropping everything around. But thanks to our prayers to Saint Francis, a new restaurant with delicious food was opened in our town. So the squeamish squirrels lost their interest in our houses and went to destroy the restaurant.
Sounds like some sort of squirrel protection racket to me.
