Rabbits and Miximatosis (sp?) every 6 months?

[Alouiseg]

We've had two rabbits for 4 years and we dutifully get them vaccinated every 6 months against mixi and every 12 months against vhd.

Talking to a doctor friend yesterday she thinks that the vaccinations "should" give them immunity for life after 2 or 3 doses. She thinks that the vets are trying to con us and that vaccinations are so effective that every 6 months is ridiculous.

Do i risk it? What do you think? Do you know anything about it?

We only get ours innoculated against mixiwhatsi and the other thing once a year in Germany, on the vet's advice. I've never heard about the lifelong immunity thing, but given what he charged us last week (80 euros for both injections for the two rabbits plus check-up plus nail cutting) he's unlikely to give up on that income voluntarily.

Vaccines are licensed in the same way as drugs, so have to have been thoroughly tested and their effects researched before they can be used in practice. The data sheet for the most commonly used myxo vaccine advises annual boosters but in high risk areas a six monthly boost is recommended. While it is true that some vaccines do not require frequent boosters, all vaccines are not equal, and some provide better immunity than others. As a result my advice (as a salaried vet, not someone who makes money from this directly!) would be to stick with the data sheet instructions for use.

May I hijack - I've recently got my 2 rabbits, and have given them vaccines for myxo and vhd, and pancur (sp.) worming, and zoncor (sp.) for mites. Do I need to do all this? Is it healthy for the rabbits to have all this medication?

If its good for their health is there more I need?

I had a rabbit, carefully vaccinated every six months because there are so many wild rabbits about ... and he died of myxomatosis. So definitely no life-long immunity. The vet said that the cover was not 100%, it just makes them more resistant.

Cheers ladies, very helpful

Your doctor should know better and realise that immunity from vaccines is variable depending upon what is being vaccinated for. Yes, myxy needs vaccines every 6 months.

Keepitsweet - yes you are doing all the right things so keep it up. Nothing else to be done health wise except ensure a good balanced diet which is especially important for dental health in rabbits.

Thank you will mark up the calendar. DH is saying the animals have a better diet than the humans. I said that's because they don't complain about my cooking