The RHDV2 Vaccine

Good News for Rabbit Owners

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) was noted in 1984 and has been considered a death sentence for rabbits everywhere. RHDV is a highly contagious disease caused by the calicivirus found in rabbits and has a high mortality rate with an incredibly short incubation period. In the rare instances where a rabbit survives RHDV, they can be contagious for several months. Many times, the only visible symptom of RHDV will be sudden death and bloody discharge from the nose or mouth.  The hereditary background of the domestic rabbit is the European wild rabbit so in Europe a vaccine was developed to protect domestic rabbits because their wild rabbits could spread the disease. Here in the U.S., our cottontails are genetically different from the European wild rabbit (which is why they cannot live together nor reproduce together), so RHDV did not spread to the U.S.

Unfortunately, the virus mutated and we now have RHDV2 which our cottontails and hares can catch and spread to our domestic rabbits.  While a European vaccine has been available for some time now, an American-made vaccine hit the market last October. This new vaccine is currently proving to be 100% effective, something rabbit owners everywhere can celebrate. This is a huge breakthrough for U.S. rabbit owners who previously had to pay a premium for the European vaccine to be shipped to their veterinarian’s office. The new vaccine is given in two doses three weeks apart and later requires a yearly booster, similar to how we receive our annual flu shots.

RHVD2 cases are now considered endemic in the western states, but have also been popping up in other locations such as MN, NY, FL, GA, MS, KY, TN and HI. It has not been reported in all 50 states to date, but with the random spread and the inability to know where it will show up next, it is recommended for all rabbits to get this new vaccine, whether or not there have been cases nearby. It is both very contagious and deadly, with no treatment available once a rabbit becomes infected. All it takes is the virus living on one surface – from an infected or deceased wild rabbit in a yard to the bottom of someone’s shoe – for it to spread.  Most surprisingly, the virus can live on surfaces for up to 110 days.

The new American-produced vaccine has been given emergency use authorization and is approved by 44 state veterinarians. What can pet owners do while waiting for their veterinarian to carry this vaccine? “Keep asking and asking,” says Joy Gioia, Vice President of the House Rabbit Society Board of Directors. “If your state doesn’t have it yet, ask your veterinarian to contact your state veterinarian. It is much better to have your bunnies vaccinated than to have the virus come in the state and spread because the bunny population isn’t protected.”

The team at Grandpa’s Best is committed to providing its customers a safe and healthy product for their pets, which is why staff education and awareness of RHDV has been increased, as well as communicating concerns and safety expectations to all our employees; farming, hay production, warehousing, and packaging employees all understand the critical nature of this disease. The Grandpa’s Best packaging and distribution facility is located in Kansas, a state that has not had any reported cases of RHDV/RHDV2, and we do not grow hay in any areas with reported outbreaks. Whether grown locally by our sister company Bestifor, or our select contract growers, we ensure that all hay has been isolated in storage away from any elements, pests, and animals for a minimum of five (5) months before packaging. This rest period exceeds the current known studies of virus lifespan at room temperature and greatly minimizes the chance of transference. To place your order with Grandpa’s Best today, please visit https://gbpets.com/

For more information on the new RHDV vaccine and other related information, please visit the House Rabbit Society at https://rabbit.org/faq-for-medgenes-rhdv2-vaccine/.