Urgent help

[bunnies_downunder]

I need help..
I brought a magpie home a week ago because it was being bullied by other magpies and it was still a baby and had a sore foot.
Since then I've had 3 bunnies die..
Could this be from me handling the bird then handling the rabbits?
My favourite girl has also been flat all afternoon? Now it's night here and I'm worried she won't make it though the night.

What can I do?
Is it the Bird?

 

[JBun]

I'm very sorry for your loss and that this has happened to you and your rabbits. Unfortunately this sounds like it could be calcivirus (RHDV), particularly if your rabbits weren't vaccinated for it. The bird would be the likely carrier of the virus through contact with an affected rabbit in the wild, or through biting insects that carry the virus. Though it is possible it's not from the bird and this is just a coincidence, or there's another cause, especially if all your rabbits were vaccinated for both RHDV strains. Though I'm not sure what it might be if they weren't showing any specific symptoms.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbit_hemorrhagic_disease

https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-b...t-my-rabbit-from-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease/

For your remaining rabbit, you'll need to phone a rabbit vet for advice, but do not go to any vets office, or at least not without first informing them of your rabbits deaths and the possibility of you and your remaining rabbit possibly being a vector of RHDV contamination from the bird, and them deciding if you would be allowed to come to the office or not.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://rabbitvet.net/AustralianRabbitVets.htm

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Category:Australia

If RHDV is the cause, there's unfortunately no cure, with it having a high mortality rate. There is a very slight chance your remaining rabbit could survive, but just know this is highly unusual for this to happen. So be prepared for that. To help your rabbit, at a minimum you would need to provide supportive care of syringe feeds if your rabbit has stopped eating adequately. Your vet can provide recommendations for the proper supportive care needed, and possibly any supportive medications.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Medicating_your_rabbit

Be aware that if RHDV is the cause of death, that the virus is highly contagious and continues to be so for months. This means that your home and you can be vectors of the potential to transfer and spread the virus outside your home, particularly if the bird is the carrier and you continue caring for it. This would mean that it could affect any rabbit you come in contact with, anywhere you go that a rabbit may have contact with, and your home as well will continue to be potentially unsafe for any unvaccinated rabbit, or possibly any rabbit. Proper disinfection and biosecurity measures can help minimize this potential transfer of the virus outside your home. There's some info on this in the above link on RHDV. You can also ask your vet for proper disinfecting and biosecurity advice.

 

[bunnies_downunder]

She passed this morning at 4.30am.
I will do my best to not handle any animals including the bird. I don't know if it was the magpie but 4 rabbits have dies since bringing her home for care.
I have 5 bunnies outside..
2 together, another 2 together and another on its own. I will probably have to endure their death's over the coming days
My rabbits have been vaccinated but I believe the strain changes and the Vax doesn't work efficiently unfortunately.
Deviated and extremely sad
The vet said there has been a high increase in Calicivirus cases so most probably from mosquitos and not the bird.

 

[JBun]

I'm so sorry

Mosquitoes are certainly possible, and this happening when the bird came is just coincidence. With your remaining rabbits outside, if you don't have window screen up on their enclosures, that may be something to consider doing. It will stop the mosquitoes, in case this is where it's coming from.

Are your rabbits vaccinated for just the RHDV1 virus, or both 1 and 2?

 

[bunnies_downunder]

No they aren't, it's to expensive at $200 per year per rabbit.

Two years ago I bought a sick rabbit with the virus from an area where they bate wild rabbits and within 2 weeks all my bunnies died. Some I burried in my garden and they new rabbits I let them have a burrows and I think there burrows went deep near the burials. After reading about the virus the soil can stay contaminated for up to 3 years so possibly this could have been the cause..All my stupid fault
I have closed these burrows up and placed pavers on them, just seeing how my last 5 survived or not.
We have many birds in our garden so I don't think the magpie was the problem and I think my first bunny died prior to the Maggie.
I've contacted the council about biocontrol but I don't think the spray or bate around our suburb which is near the beach but who knows.

 

[bunnies_downunder]

My next bunny to go... Lightning hasn't eaten for 2 days, her body is shutting down and there's nothing I can do. This virus is pure evil
Lighting gave us many litters and has been a sweet girl, we are sad to say good bye to her

 

[Mom to Minx]

View attachment 66525My next bunny to go... Lightning hasn't eaten for 2 days, her body is shutting down and there's nothing I can do. This virus is pure evil
Lighting gave us many litters and has been a sweet girl, we are sad to say good bye to her

I’m so sorry for your loss! I can’t imagine the pain you are going through! My heart aches for you and those precious bunnies you have lost!

 

[bunnies_downunder]

I’m so sorry for your loss! I can’t imagine the pain you are going through! My heart aches for you and those precious bunnies you have lost!

Yeah very sad.. Lightning died a few hours ago, now her partner Indi
I'm not leaving his sight nor going to sleep hopefully he goes quick

 

[JBun]

I'm so sorry

 

[Ruth]

I'm so sorry! This is heartbreaking!

Two years ago I bought a sick rabbit with the virus from an area where they bate wild rabbits and within 2 weeks all my bunnies died. Some I burried in my garden and they new rabbits I let them have a burrows and I think there burrows went deep near the burials. After reading about the virus the soil can stay contaminated for up to 3 years so possibly this could have been the cause..All my stupid fault

Don't blame yourself! Even if that is the reason they are and sick (which it still might not be) and if you had known, you would have done everything to prevent it. It's not like this happened due to your lack of caring for your rabbits so don't fault yourself too much.

 

[Mom to Minx]

Yeah very sad.. Lightning died a few hours ago, now her partner Indi
I'm not leaving his sight nor going to sleep hopefully he goes quick

This is just too SAD

 

[bunnies_downunder]

So a few hours before Lightning died, I was told to try Ivermectin paste, I raced out and bought some but Lightning was to far gone so she didn't make it

BUT I highly recommend to buy this and have it for emergencies. As soon as she sees a rabbit not eating or interacting, give it a small amount. My last 4 dying rabbits survived because of this stuff. I've been giving them a small amount every 5 hours. Indi, I was positive would die, stayed with him all night, very weak, fast breathing but by 5am hopping around and eating.. he's not out of the woods yet so I'll keep giving it for a few more days. But they survived so 100% worked. Good to have as backup xx
I wish I knew about this stuff beforehand, I'm sure my other 5 bunnies would still be here.

 

[JBun]

That would be amazing if this does actually work and the rest of your rabbits end up surviving. I'm anxious the hear if Indi continues to improve.

I am just going to add a note of caution with the ivermectin. Horse dewormer paste is meant to treat large animals that are hundreds of lbs. So trying to dose a 5lb rabbit with it can be tricky and could lead to accidental OD, especially if you're giving repeat doses within days of each other. And an OD isn't reversible and can cause permanent damage, if it's not outright fatal. So just be aware of this, when deciding if to continue to use and the amount to give. When I need to use ivermectin, the oral/injectable liquid is much better for precise dosing and minimizing the risk of OD.

https://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Anti_parasitics/safe_antiparasitic.htm

 

[bunnies_downunder]

Yes I have been only giving small does but it does knock them out a little at first.
Where can I buy the liquid?

 

[Mom to Minx]

So a few hours before Lightning died, I was told to try Ivermectin paste, I raced out and bought some but Lightning was to far gone so she didn't make it

BUT I highly recommend to buy this and have it for emergencies. As soon as she sees a rabbit not eating or interacting, give it a small amount. My last 4 dying rabbits survived because of this stuff. I've been giving them a small amount every 5 hours. Indi, I was positive would die, stayed with him all night, very weak, fast breathing but by 5am hopping around and eating.. he's not out of the woods yet so I'll keep giving it for a few more days. But they survived so 100% worked. Good to have as backup xx
I wish I knew about this stuff beforehand, I'm sure my other 5 bunnies would still be here.View attachment 66528

 

[Mom to Minx]

I’m so happy for you and Indi and your other bunnies who are surviving.!!! Thank you lord

 

[JBun]

Make sure that the 'knock(ing) them out', isn't actually ivermectin toxicity that's happening. When treating intestinal parasites, there can be 'die off' symptoms that will most likely show as lethargy, upset stomach, reduced appetite, and possibly some signs of edema. But I'm not sure if die off would even be a thing with what they have, which is different than an intestinal parasite. They may just show increased lethargy and lack of appetite, in addition to what they have from the virus.

But with Ivermectin toxicity from an OD, it may start off with lethargy and lack of appetite, then there can be ataxia, tremors, drooling, dilated pupils, and it could worsen from there depending on the amount of the OD. So if you're seeing any of these toxicity symptoms of ataxia and tremor, I wouldn't be giving anymore ivermectin, and hope it's just a minor OD. But if you're still faced with RHDV symptoms and likely death, it's going to be something you're going to have to decide, and find the balance with trying more ivermectin, and giving just enough to hopefully help, while trying not to OD with it.

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Anti_parasitics/Ivermec.htm

I'm not sure what you have available to you there. I use the ivermectin injectable sold for livestock, and I just give it orally. It is more expensive than the paste, but can be dosed accurately. I always double and triple check my calculations, as a miniscule amount is needed, and a mistake could result in an OD as well. So I'm always cautious with it.

This is all my opinion based on my own research and experiencing an OD with a rabbit years ago. This isn't medical advise. If you need that, you should talk to your vet.

 

[Ruth]

I've only ever used ivermectin to treat pinworms and I used the edible paste/gel for horses. Rather than measuring it out, (I tried, it was practically impossible) I just use a pinprick and have never had any negative symptoms or side-effects. I don't know how it would go for treating other illnesses though.

 

[bunnies_downunder]

Ok update on Indi and my last 3 remaining bunnies Cornetto, Snowy and Ashy are doing amazing, very strong and normal.
Indi I feel he might have some internal damage from the virus as it shuts every orhan down so getting blood tests tomorrow.
But I believe the Ivermectin paste helped and most likely killed the virus in these last 4 bunnies.
I will always keep some in my fridge incase of emergencies.
I wish I knew about this stuff beforehand
I have slowed down from small amounts twice a day to once a day, I'll probably keep this up for a few more days.

I'll let you know how the blood tests go.


Also I found out that our local council has sprayed the RHDV in October on several reserve parks without alerting the public. This has kill not only my bunnies but many many bunnies.
There negligence is disappointing to say the least.

 

[JBun]

Just back here for your update, wondering what the blood test showed, and if your rabbits are still doing well?