New Strain of VHD
Detected in France
Although it has been widely reported there is an outbreak of VHD in Scotland,
reports show there is a new variant of this disease detected in France. Vaccination
is vital!
Read more..
A recent study in Switzerland has revealed that supplying a drinking bowl rather than a water bottle allows for a faster water intake. It also suggested that a slow water intake from a bottle may have an impact on drinking behaviour and decreased the daily water and feed intake. The study concludes that to correspond best with preferences of rabbits, water should be offered in open dishes.
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News
The British Veterinary Association is very disappointed to learn that the Government has no plans to publish a code of practice on the welfare of rabbits.
The news came to light in a response to a parliamentary question by Willie Bain MP, when the Minister, James Paice MP, stated that Defra has no current plans to publish a code of practice on the welfare of pet rabbits. Defra considers that the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to provide for the welfare needs of animals are sufficient to ensure the necessary protection for the welfare of pet rabbits.
Commenting, BVA President Harvey Locke, said: “Rabbits are such popular pets but vets are seeing more and more husbandry-related problems with these animals. Dental disease and obesity are two of the most common problems we encounter and both are directly linked to inappropriate diets. Another issue of concern is inadequate space for exercise - but perhaps the most neglected of all the welfare needs is a lack of companionship for these very social animals.
“The recently published PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that 700,000 rabbits could be suffering, mentally and physically, because they are not receiving all the essential health and welfare requirements for their happiness and wellbeing.
“The Government has missed an opportunity to educate owners about responsible rabbit ownership and improve the health and welfare of the UK's third most popular pet.”
Referring to the Welsh Assembly Government code of practice ‘How to look after your rabbit’ Mr Locke continued: “Wales has led the way recently with the publication of a code of practice which highlights the welfare needs of rabbits and what the law requires owners to do. It would be heartening to see Defra follow suit.
“With over 1.6 million rabbits in the UK, they are the fastest growing sector of the pet market but sadly preventive health care is often neglected and also many of these highly social animals suffer chronic loneliness and boredom because they are kept alone. This news is a blow for rabbit welfare and we would urge the Government to reconsider its decision.”
* The Welsh Assembly Government Code of Practice which came into force on 11 November 2009 can be found at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/091109rabbitsumen.pdf
* The PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report can be found at: http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-health-advice/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report
A NEW trial to assess commercial diets for pet rabbits is getting underway as a result of a partnership between the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R[D]SVS) and Burgess Pet Care.
The study is partly government funded as a ‘knowledge transfer partnership’, which is designed to enable businesses such as Burgess to take advantage of the expertise and knowledge in top academic institutions.
The PDSA has just launched its latest Animal Welfare Report.
Needless to say the report is not good news for the UK's estimated 1.6 million rabbit population.
The full report can be read from here: http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-health-advice/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report
A new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (known as RHDV or more commonly VHD, viral haemorrhagic disease) is adding greater concern to the recent outbreak in Scotland which has already been reported widely.
This new strain, detected in northern and north-west France is also highly virulent. As it is a new strain, the current vaccine may only be partially affective. However, vaccination is essential, as partial protection is better than none; without vaccination, the disease is almost certainly fatal.
Studies are underway to examine this new strain and to determine if a new vaccine is required.
Remember: VHD is a quick killer. Vaccination is a MUST, and has to be carried out anually. Please check your rabbits vaccination record and book an appointment with your vet if the vaccination is not up to date. The welfare of your rabbit depends on you getting this done!
As everyone knows, the inner cardboard tube of a toilet roll is a well established and favoured bunny toy. A worryingly new development in being trialled in the US may see the end of this trusted toy.
Read on..
http://thebnn.org/2010/10/28/breaking-news-toilet-paper-changes-could-impact-bunnies-everywhere/
So we say it's time to campaign to Keep the Tube!
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