Cleaning cage after myxy

[racingsnake]

Hi. My daughter has always been desesperate for a rabbit. This summer friends with rabbits are going to Australia and looking after their rabbits seemed a good introduction. Just before the handover, friend told me that one of her rabbits had been euthanised with myxy, but that her vet had looked at its mate and had assured her that it showed no symptoms and could therefore be assumed to have natural immunity. So (stupidly) I took the rabbit ... which after one day started to have yellow pus coming from its eyes .... Friend always allows her rabbits to run in the fields with the wild rabbits (and told me that there is not point in vaccinating as it doesn't work, but is, I think, rather irresponsible with animals).

From what I understand, death is inevitable. I will of course take the rabbit to the vet and have it painlessly euthanised if it looks to be getting worse, but was wondering whether it would be possible to clean the cage and run sufficiently to be able to get another rabbit? Or will we now never be able to have rabbits?

 

[naturestee]

Welcome to the forum! I wish it was under better circumstances. I'd take the little guy to the vet now, as some rabbits can be nursed through myxi.

The disease is spread by fleas, so a thorough cleaning and removal of all things that fleas might bed down in should solve the problem. You are right that the rabbits really should have been vaccinated. Sometimes they still get myxi, but usually a less severe infection and they are much more likely to survive with proper vet care than an unvaccinated rabbit.

Aside from myxomatosis and VHD, wild rabbits can also transfer parasites like worms to pet rabbits. Best to keep domestic and wild animals separate.