Effective Prevention Strategies for Rabbit瘟

The scorching summer has arrived, and for rabbit farmers, this period requires utmost vigilance. The rabbit plague tends to be prevalent from late spring to summer, and it spreads rapidly with a fierce momentum. Once it occurs, it can cause devastating damage to rabbit pens. So, what are the ways to prevent the rabbit plague and reduce the risk? This article will explore these solutions together with you.

Preventive Measures for Rabbit Plague

Rabbit plague, also known as rabbit hemorrhagic disease, is a contagious disease caused by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. To effectively prevent the rabbit plague, here are some key preventive measures:

1. Strengthening Livestock Management

1. Maintain a Clean Environment: Keep the rabbit pens clean and disinfected regularly, ensuring they are dry, wellventilated, and free of odors.

2. Rigorous Disinfection: Regularly disinfect the pens, cages, and utensils to kill off viruses.

3. Isolate New Arrivals: New rabbits should be isolated for at least two weeks (or 715 days) before being confirmed healthy and free of disease. Only then can they be introduced to the existing rabbit population.

2. Vaccination

1. Regular Vaccination: The rabbit plague vaccine is a crucial tool for prevention. The first dose of the vaccine should be administered to kits at 35 days old with 2 milliliters, followed by a booster dose of 1 milliliter at 60 days. For adult rabbits, vaccination should be conducted three times a year, every four months, to maintain adequate protection. It is important to use singledose vaccines, especially avoid combination vaccines like the triple vaccine, to minimize the risk of triggering the rabbit plague.

2. Emergency Vaccination: In the event of an outbreak, emergency vaccinations should be administered immediately to affected rabbits and those at risk.

3. Enhancing Overall Disease Resistance of the Rabbit Flock

1. Improve overall disease resistance through scientific feeding, rational feed formulation, and ensuring adequate water intake.

2. Regular health checks of the rabbit flock to detect and address any abnormalities promptly.

4. Preventing CrossInfection

1. Ban Entry of Outsiders: Prohibit outsiders from entering the farm to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Livestock handlers should also be disinfected upon entering the rabbit pens to ensure they do not carry the virus.

2. Prohibit Purchasing Seed Rabbits and Feed from Endemic Areas: Seed rabbits introduced from outside should be isolated and observed for at least 715 days before vaccination and confirmed healthy before being introduced to the flock.

5. Emergency Treatment

1. Isolate Sick Rabbits: Upon discovering sick or suspicious rabbits, they should be immediately isolated, the area locked down, and their pens and utensils disinfected thoroughly. For rabbits at risk, emergency vaccinations with a higher dose of the rabbit plague vaccine should be administered, and strict local disinfection should be carried out, using different needles for each rabbit to control the spread of the epidemic.

2. Disposal of Diseased Rabbits: Rabbits that die from rabbit plague should not be eaten or discarded recklessly or fed to dogs. They should be disposed of through incineration or deep burial. At the same time, contaminated environments, utensils, feed, and bedding should be disinfected using 3% sodium hydroxide solution or 2% formaldehyde to prevent the spread of the virus.

By implementing these measures comprehensively, the occurrence and spread of the rabbit plague can be effectively prevented, ensuring the health and safety of the rabbit flock. To reduce the risk of rabbits becoming ill and minimize financial losses, farmers must strictly adhere to management measures.