I think since your vet already mentioned it and therefore you know the virus exists in your area, as well as the fact that the second eye swelled up — you should prepare yourself for it to be the myxoma virus. It only takes one mosquito or flea carrying the virs to infect a rabbit. It is such a horrible disease. Where are you located?

If you check the House Rabbit Society’s website, http://www.rabbit.org, you will find an international list of recommended vets who specialize in rabbits. I would try to locate one in your area so you can at least have a second opinion from someone who knows rabbits. It may help both in diagnosis and treatment.
{{{{{{{{Healing vibes}}}}}}}

Hi Alicia

Any chance you can get him to a rabbit vet? What state are you in? There are a few Aus members on here (myself included) so we might be able to recommend someone.
It is possible it is ulcer again and if viral he’s transferred it to the other eye. But in Aus, Myxo is very likely too of course. Swelling eyelids is usually the first visible sign early on.
Sometimes the onset is rapid and others not so much. I believe there are different strains of the virus too. {{{Vibes}}} for your bunny! Please keep us updated.

I live in Victoria and contacted the Rabbit Clinic who said that they would NOT advise that I bring him in due to the risk of transmitting it to other rabbits at the centre!

I can understand the concern but I do think that is a bit unfair. Your rabbit needs to be seen. Any rabbit that goes there could be unknowingly be infected with myxo or some other transmittable condition. There’s protocols they should have in place that prevent cross infection. I’m saddened that you were told this and it’s not even confirmed your rabbit has myxo ! I hate the situation with myxo virus here. Our hands are tied. I really hope also that it is not myxo and something simple to treat. (((continued vibes)))
I hope you get some direction from the vets soon. Do you have other rabbits?

Oh good. Just glad you could have him seen and not feeling like you were dealing with it on your own. I shall be “quietly positive” also!

Refresh my memory because we don’t have Myxo here… what kind of treatment is available for it, or isn’t there any? There’s a vaccination for this, right?

Myxo is in some parts of the States, just not as prevalent as here.

There is a vaccine in the UK but the government won’t allow it in Australia. Myxo and Calici virus were released here as a biological control of the wild population. Much of the wild rabbits (same species) became naturally immune to myxo but the domestic pets are not. They continue to release mutations of these viruses.

Rabbits were deliberately brought here for by settlers for sport and now “we” use these insidious diseases to try to get rid of them. Makes me sick at heart.

Re treatment?  This reminds me to ask my vet if they have an specific action plan. I think its a case of making them comfortable and waiting to see.  Sometimes making a difficult decision to put them to sleep.  I don’t even know any survival statistics. Any Aus members have any figures, I’m interested to know.

Edit to add: The Rabbit Clinic does have some good info on myxo  http://www.melbournerabbitclinic.co…/Myxo.html

They do talk of treatment yet Alicia was advised not to bring her rabbit in?

I think treatment is just palliative to ease suffering, or supportive thearpy until they recover-there isn’t a treatment; it’s basically a wait and see.
(since it’s a virus you cannot treat them, same as in people, there are only vaccines or wait and see-whereas parsitic or bacterial infections can be treated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis

I read that pasturella can OFTEN be confused with Myxi-could we pray it’s just the snuffles? Maybe with an abscess?

OK, thank you. I know bits and pieces about Myxo, but it isn’t something I really think about daily so I had forgotten the specifics.

I have actually not thought about it much for quite a while and had become complacent. So this thread has really brought it into focus again for me. Initially when I got Jersey, I used to think myxi was something not in urban areas but I soon learnt that was untrue. Hope there will be a positive update from Aliciak.

{ Off topic: Beka, your number of posts  is reading 11111 : )  }

How is he today? Any changes?

{{{Chad}}}} Please keep us posted!!! *HUGS*

Aliciak did post an update here on Thursday but it’s one of the post that are missing. Hopefully she’ll be able to repost. I had PM’d her and her reply was much same as her update here so I’ll post part of that here.

“30 Dec 2010 … UPDATE: Chad isn’t so good. I think that I’m going to lose him. Over Xmas lumps appeared over his body. He started on oral antibiotics but …its been 5 days since I started them and hes getting worse. The lumps are down his back and one eye is closed but there still isn’t much discharge but he is getting the snuffles. He is still eating and drinking and running around.”
 

She reported the vet she saw then said they were not “that rabbit savvy” and suggest she see more of a specialist.  The vet also still doesn’t think this is myxi.

As you can imagine, she must be feeling a bit helpless.

Alicia, I did reply again but I’m not sure if you got it.

You may already have seen this list of Australian rabbit experienced vets? http://members.shaw.ca/cocoasun/Aus…m#Victoria  I don’t know when this was last updated.

I’m wondering if those familiar with pasteurella in rabbits think this sounds like a pasteurella flare up? Some members have mentioned with chronic pasteurella bunnies, they have these episodes.

Hopefully another vet can get to the bottom of what’s effecting Chad.

Beka, I do know that the west coat here frequently has episodes of Myxo, but there are no vaccs available in the US for it either

{{{{{{{{Healing vibes for Chad}}}}}}}}}}}

Please update us on his progress.

So sorry to hear Binky free Chad

So so sorry to hear about Chad. You did everything you could. Binky free little bunny.

My condolences on the loss of your beloved bunny, Chad

Alicia, I am so sorry! My deepest condolences.
You’ve given him a peaceful passing rather then an agonising one. Hugs to you and his bunny buddy.
*Binky Free Chad!*