All pet rabbits in Australia should now be vaccinated against rabbit calicivirus (RHDV). The disease is almost always fatal and death occurs rapidly, within 12 – 18 hours, from respiratory and heart failure. There is no known treatment.
Vaccination should be performed by your vet in young rabbits (kittens) at 4, 8, 12 weeks of age then 6 monthly for life. Adults receive 2 vaccinations 1 month apart then 6 monthly for life. This is an off label protocol for RHDV2 a newly released variety of calicvirus.
There is no vaccination available in Australia to protect rabbits against myxomatosis. As this disease is transferred by mosquitoes, having insect screens on your rabbit’s outside hutch may help limit exposure.