07-27-2005, 02:22 AM
I am new to this board and was wondering what country it is based out of. I noted that the moderator message concerning rabbits that have died of myxomatosis and VHD that could have been averted if these animals were vaccinated.
In Europe, vaccinations are available as the wild population which can serve as vectors, is of the same species as domestic rabbits. Vaccination, however, is not fool-proof. Many animals do not respond to the vaccine or are actually carriers of the virus without evidencing symptoms themselves.
In the US, vaccination for VHD is illegal. There is good reason for this. Besides the fact that vaccination does not afford 100% protection for the disease or can result in carriers, the local wild population is of a separate species and is not affected by VHD.
As one who has also raised poultry and swine, I am familiar with similar diseases with devastating affects (Exotic Newcastle and Pseudorabies). It was realized long ago that vaccination was ineffective in putting a halt to these diseases, and therefore the USDA instituted eradication policies.
I personally am acquainted with a gentleman from Utah who\'s rabbit herd became a victim to VHD. While it was very sad that his entire herd had to be eliminated, even he realizes that the alternative would have put the entire rabbit raising community at risk. For those of us who enjoy attending rabbit shows, eradication, though devastating as that can be, is a small price to pay to protect the rabbit community at large.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
In Europe, vaccinations are available as the wild population which can serve as vectors, is of the same species as domestic rabbits. Vaccination, however, is not fool-proof. Many animals do not respond to the vaccine or are actually carriers of the virus without evidencing symptoms themselves.
In the US, vaccination for VHD is illegal. There is good reason for this. Besides the fact that vaccination does not afford 100% protection for the disease or can result in carriers, the local wild population is of a separate species and is not affected by VHD.
As one who has also raised poultry and swine, I am familiar with similar diseases with devastating affects (Exotic Newcastle and Pseudorabies). It was realized long ago that vaccination was ineffective in putting a halt to these diseases, and therefore the USDA instituted eradication policies.
I personally am acquainted with a gentleman from Utah who\'s rabbit herd became a victim to VHD. While it was very sad that his entire herd had to be eliminated, even he realizes that the alternative would have put the entire rabbit raising community at risk. For those of us who enjoy attending rabbit shows, eradication, though devastating as that can be, is a small price to pay to protect the rabbit community at large.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com