Since some have expressed concern regarding hay being a potential source of transmitting the RHDV2 virus to our rabbits, I thought it might be of some comfort to see what two manufacturers have stated.
(I'll link this under the RHDV2 thread too.)
SHERWOOD PET HEALTH
Worried about RHVD2? This virus is specific to rabbits and is new to the USA just a few years ago. We are very concerned and it is now rapidly spreading through both wild and domestic rabbits. To eliminate the remote chance of picking up the virus from hay where wild rabbits can spread the virus (our food is mostly hay) we want you to know that we own our manufacturing plant in northern Utah and we have been working on an additional viral 'kill step' to ensure your pet rabbits are safe from RHVD2 and any other viruses in the future. Until this new viral kill step is installed, we we have purchased a large supply of 2019 hay from our supplier in central Idaho - currently still a virus free area. For their safety you still need to ask your vet about a vaccine because the virus can be tracked into your house on your feet if you walk in an area with wild rabbits.
OXBOW
From a product perspective, please know that all Oxbow hay currently in the marketplace is from the 2019 growing season. As we mentioned, current estimates from the USDA indicate that RHDV2 could theoretically remain viable on a carrier for up to 3 months under ideal environmental conditions. Looking at the timing of the recently confirmed cases, we can assure you that no Oxbow hay in the marketplace is currently at risk for carrying RHDV2.
Even with the extremely low risk, we will continue to practice extreme caution when it comes to product safety regarding RHDV2. As we look to the future, we are currently evaluating additional safeguards to ensure that all of the hay we source in the coming months has been processed in a manner that minimizes the chance of Oxbow hay carrying RHDV2 to the greatest degree possible.
Scroll down for link to Small Pet Select
(I'll link this under the RHDV2 thread too.)
SHERWOOD PET HEALTH
Worried about RHVD2? This virus is specific to rabbits and is new to the USA just a few years ago. We are very concerned and it is now rapidly spreading through both wild and domestic rabbits. To eliminate the remote chance of picking up the virus from hay where wild rabbits can spread the virus (our food is mostly hay) we want you to know that we own our manufacturing plant in northern Utah and we have been working on an additional viral 'kill step' to ensure your pet rabbits are safe from RHVD2 and any other viruses in the future. Until this new viral kill step is installed, we we have purchased a large supply of 2019 hay from our supplier in central Idaho - currently still a virus free area. For their safety you still need to ask your vet about a vaccine because the virus can be tracked into your house on your feet if you walk in an area with wild rabbits.
OXBOW
From a product perspective, please know that all Oxbow hay currently in the marketplace is from the 2019 growing season. As we mentioned, current estimates from the USDA indicate that RHDV2 could theoretically remain viable on a carrier for up to 3 months under ideal environmental conditions. Looking at the timing of the recently confirmed cases, we can assure you that no Oxbow hay in the marketplace is currently at risk for carrying RHDV2.
Even with the extremely low risk, we will continue to practice extreme caution when it comes to product safety regarding RHDV2. As we look to the future, we are currently evaluating additional safeguards to ensure that all of the hay we source in the coming months has been processed in a manner that minimizes the chance of Oxbow hay carrying RHDV2 to the greatest degree possible.
Scroll down for link to Small Pet Select
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