The Importance of Vaccinating Your Rabbit: RHDV2 is confirmed in Washington

As rabbits both wild and domestic have become much more prevalent in Washington state after the pandemic, a new virus now threatens them. Called rabbit hemorrhagic disease type 2, or RHDV2, it affects domestic and wild rabbits alike. (And no, it’s not everyone’s favorite robot, R2D2.) After first majorly appearing in 2019, RHDV2 is considered a stable endemic (meaning it already exists in the environment) in the United States. On October 4, in San Juan County, Washington, two rabbits tested positive for the virus, affirming what the Washington State Department of Agriculture had previously suspected: RHDV2 is stable-endemic in Washington state.

RHDV2 causes sudden death without any symptoms, but if a rabbit does show symptoms, they are most likely to develop respiratory issues, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Most often, if your rabbit has this deadly disease, it sadly cannot be cured. 

The main way that RHDV2 spreads is through contact with an infected animal, such as its blood, or contaminated food/water. 

The fatal disease solely affects European rabbits, the species that are most often kept as pets, and not western cottontails (the ones that are naturally feral). The “wild” rabbits affected are actually the descendants of pet rabbits who have been dumped into the wild. Dr. Dan Lejnieks, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Exotic Companion Mammal Specialty, of Seattle, said in an interview, “One strategy to lower the likelihood of the spread of this disease might be to get people to stop dumping their pet rabbits outdoors when they don't want them anymore.” 

"This disease only affects the European rabbits (the pet rabbit species) and does not affect cottontail rabbits,” Dr. Lejnieks explained. “If you can reduce the population of feral European rabbits, then you might be able to lower the overall disease incidence.”

How to Protect Your Pet Rabbit

As the popularity of rabbits as pets increases in the Lakeside community, as well as the rest of Washington, veterinarians strongly recommend that you check with your vet to make sure that your bunny is vaccinated against RHDV2. Rabbit owners should also make sure that their domestic rabbits never come in contact with feral rabbits by either ensuring that their outdoor hutch is completely enclosed or just keeping them indoors. 

One study from 2022 said that about 1.5 million households in the U.S.A. have at least one rabbit, and the population will just keep getting bigger. The more bunnies there are, the more happiness to go around (at least in the opinions of all the rabbit lovers), but more animals means more sickness, so definitely keep up to date on the latest rabbit medical news so that you can keep your bunny healthy and happy!