My babies have myxomatosis :(

[Simba]

 Hi all,

Before anyone judges, I really didn’t think there was any risk of myxomatosis where I am in France and the vets say it is very rare. I would have vaccinated them if i’d know there was a risk here, im still not even sure how they got it as they’ve lived outside for 4 years but have no contact with other animals – I recently bought new hay from a new farmer though, i’m wondering if perhaps it was transmitted that way

So, my poor little 4yr old lion lop (Nala) started showing a white discharge from her eye on Sun 18th August, which I bathed with salt water,thinking it was a recurring infection (she’d had one 6 weeks prior which had been treated fine). The next day she seemed lethargic and looked sleepy, so I went straight down the vets and he diagnosed Myxo but a non-aggressive form. He gave her antibiotic injections on the 19th, 20th and 21st  and her fever/temperature was 39.5 and gave me antibiotic eyecream to put in twice a day. Her eyes puffed up over the next few days and she stopped eating or drinking, so i’ve been syringe feeding her baby banana food and water for the past 5/6 days, most recently with mashed/ground pellets mixed in, not easy to give to her as she really doesnt want it 

She has had swollen genitals and a runny nose for days, which i’ve bathed 3 x a day. I took her to the vets today for a check up (day 12 of symptoms) and sub c fluids and the vet seems really positive about her progress! I thought her ears seemed cooler and now her temp is 38.4, her nose seems a bit drier but her eyes are still v puffy (not copletely closed though) and her breathing is laboured – he said her lungs sound fine though, the issue is the swelling in her nose and discharge. I actually saw her drink water from her bowl for the first time today which was brilliant!

Sorry for the essay but has anyone else had any success in treating un-vaccinated rabbits with myxo? Obviously I will get her vaccinated if she pulls through and i’ll never forgive myself for letting her go through this when it could have been prevented but I REALLY hope im doing everything I can to save her!

Any advice would be amazing, thank you

 

 

[Roberta]

((Simba)) Sending lots of vibes for you… I know that they can survive with quick and appropriate treatment but the mortality rate is high… We can’t get the Myxo vaccine here and the idea terrifies me. My heart is aching for you and your buns….

[Hazel]

I’m sorry this happened and sadly I don’t have any experience with treating Myxomatosis. However I do know that it can be transmitted by mosquitoes and fleas. I don’t think the hay had anything to do with it. Is there no way for you to keep your bunnies inside?

[LBJ10]

Myxomatosis is a pox virus that is spread by fleas or mosquitoes or direct contact. It is possible there were some critters in the hay you ordered. From what I understand, most wild rabbits have built up resistance to the original strain. More virulent strains have been released in Australia, but I don’t know about France. I don’t know about pet rabbits though, unless there was exposure somewhere along a particular rabbits ancestry.

I have no personal experience with the disease. It isn’t a concern where I live. I know about it because it is something that has been discussed in some of my previous classes (I have a biology degree) and from discussions here on BB. In an attempt to better understand the virus, I did do some digging on my own awhile back.

That being said, it sounds like what your vet is doing is about all that can be done. There is no cure for the disease, only the symptoms can be treated. The antibiotics are to keep any secondary infections at bay since most rabbits develop lung infections and that is what they ultimately die of. Your vet must have thought there was some hope though if they offered to treat. If it is bad, they usually recommend the rabbit be put down. Did they give you a survival rate? From what I have read, it can be anywhere between 30% and 50%.

[jerseygirl]

Sending some major {{{VIBES}}} for your bunnies.

Did your vet test for myxomatosis?
What antibiotic did Nala get?
Are your other rabbits showing signs?

ETA: there is some info around where a vet here used a horse product to treat Myxo. It’s not scientifically documented though.
She used Equimune IV. Maybe not a cure but possibly would help in immune support.

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