Why don’t we have the RHDV2 vaccine in Australia?

[Alfreds minion]

Just wondering if anyone knows specifically why we don’t have the RHDV2 vaccine in Australia? 

Do you think we are likely to ever get It? 

[Bam]

I think it is because rabbits are considered a major pest in Australia. Authorites are afraid that immunizing pet rabbits will mean a risk of immunity spilling over into the wild rabbit population.

This is at least why you can’t have the myxo vaccine. You get the RVHD1 vaccine, it’s an inactivated vaccine, not a live, attenuated vaccine. That’s considered environmentally safer.

The RVHD2 vaccines are not yet being produced in volumes even close to European demand, so it’s very difficult to come by even here.

[Azerane]

Because the government is lame

In all seriousness though, Bam is probably right. The virus is (relatively) new, and while I suspect that we eventually will get the vaccine here for RHDV2, I’m sure that there’s a lot of red tape and other silly official government documentation and review etc that they go through before they make the decision.

Myxo definitely isn’t allowed because it is a live vaccine. But I do expect that given a bit more time (by which point we all well know it may be too late for our particular bunns) that the RHDV2 vaccine will make it’s way here. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Dface]

I think what Bam says is right, in that they are making the vaccine in Europe for european distribution first.
The disease is of a particular worry as it also affects native hare populations which didnt happen with other strains, and we have some protected species that are under potential threat from it

Another thing to note is that the australian strain of RHDV2 hasnt been tested with the vaccine, but they think it may be different enough to require a separate vaccination of it’s own.

They actually think that it will be the dominant strain soon as it appears to be replacing previous RHDV strains in parts of Europe, which means it will be the more important vaccine than the current, which will mean the vaccine will be more easy to get a hold of!

[jerseygirl]

Hopefully it will be made here like the cylap vaccine is. Though I wish Australia had a gentler vaccine avaliable then cylap. I do wonder if it will only be produced when the farmed rabbits are at risk. Demand for the vaccine would be higher then. Other countries have had to apply for Special Import Certificates to get the vaccine in. And then there’s been a shortage of the vaccine because of demand. I don’t know if there are any groups of clinics here that have applied for a SIC.

I do hold out hope that we will be able to have RHDV2 vaccine here but not Myxo. I don’t think they’ll allow live vaccines anytime soon.

[Alfreds minion]

Thanks for your answers! I’m glad to hear you think the RHDV2 vaccine will eventually be available. I hope it’s not too many years away.

Because the government is lame

Indeed it is.

I agree there is really no hope for myxo.

Do you (or do you intend to) vaccinate your buns with cylap at 6 month intervals (rather than annually), which if I understand correctly is off-label use but thought to increase resistance to the RHDV1 K5 variant and possibly to RHDV2?

[Azerane]

I did have my pair done recently for 6 month shots, but I’m not sure whether I’ll continue it. It’s probably more valuable for the K5 strain than the RHDV2 strain, but I’m just speculating. While I’m all for vaccinations, I do believe there is such a thing as over-vaccinating.

Also, not in relation to Australia but the USA, I had been wondering lately given that RHDV2 affects hares, as to whether there’s a substantial risk that cottontail rabbits are going to be effected by the new strain. Given it infects hares, I wouldn’t be surprised if it jumped to the Sylvilagus genus of rabbits as well, which  potentially spells a huge risk not only for native wild rabbit populations in the USA, but will have massive impacts on pet and farm populations of rabbits which have previously not had too many concerns with that sort of thing. You’re potentially looking at an epidemic there given that the USA domestic rabbit population would in 99% of cases not have any calici vaccination at all.

[jerseygirl]

Do you (or do you intend to) vaccinate your buns with cylap at 6 month intervals (rather than annually), which if I understand correctly is off-label use but thought to increase resistance to the RHDV1 K5 variant and possibly to RHDV2?

After reading THIS, Im no longer certain. There are 2 of my rabbits I think vaccinating may be more detrimental for them. Ive only done annual vaccinations up to this point, though when I had my first rabbit, I used to get another booster down before mozzie season. 

For a long time Ive been wanting to set up pens for some out door time for the rabbits, but with the stuff in the media, I got too nervous to do it. They also tend to not enjoy it overly… so I’ve had to think about whether it would be really beneficial for them or is it just for my own mind in thinking I’m giving them some sort of variety or enrichment? You know what I mean? 

[Alfreds minion]

I think you are right in thinking the six month vaccine is more for the K5 variant. At least there seems to be a bit more evidence in that case. This AVA article has some info on the cylap 6 month protocol : http://www.ava.com.au/rabbit-calicivirus

The possibility of increased protection from RHDV2 seems to be more speculative, but is possible.

Certainly vaccines are not without risk, as Jersey girl mentions cylap is not a gentle vaccine. It gave Alfred a nasty scab and made him unwell and quiet.

Ugh, that would be most unfortunate for the US. Though I think it likely in that scenario that they might get the vaccine pretty fast, before us. Because we usually get things last : (
Of course the vaccine wouldn’t really help cottontails. Poor things.

[Alfreds minion]

JG didn’ t see your post before i posted. Thanks for that link!

The outdoors question is difficult. I’ll post some thoughts on that when I get the chance.

[Azerane]

I have read that poor reactions from the Cylap vaccine are more common in instances where the skin at the injection site hasn’t been rubbed properly. Scabs at the injection site are most common, along with general lethargy and lack of appetite, however lameness for either fore limb is one of the most severe common side effects, although I’m told it usually resolves itself with 24-48 hours. I’ve read that the injection site should be rubbed for at least a minute to help reduce the instances of side effects.

Jersey, I would’t bother with the pen. With both calici and myxo running rampant at the moment, it would likely be more detrimental than beneficial. While I certainly think runs in the garden can be physically and mentally beneficial, I think the risk outweighs the benefit at the moment. And were anything to happen to one of your buns, I know you would be heartbroken. Bring the garden in to them and bring them some fresh cut grass or weeds, even hiding them in things so that they have to dig or forage for them  One of the northern suburbs Facebook pages today mentioned they’ve had 7 cases of myxo in the last week. And we’re only just really getting into fly and mosquito season, better off safe than sorry in my opinion at the moment.

AM, I think you’re right regarding the USA and their ability to obtain a vaccine fairly quickly. I doubt it would be as much of an issue as it is here. The only benefit to the cottontails would be the reduced spread from domestics.

[Alfreds minion]

I basically agree with Azerane about the whole outdoors situation, the increased risk outweighs the benefits at this time in Australia.
However I would mention that ‘bringing the garden to them’ is risky, as is feeding purchased vegetables and hay, even the clothes and shoes you wear can carry the virus. These risks are unavoidable however, unlike taking buns outside.

If I had known what I do now about RHDV2 I probably wouldn’t have started taking Alfred outside for a few hours once a week. Having begun, however, there are a couple of reasons I’m not going to stop for the time being. The first is that Alfred really enjoys it, and I don’t want to take it away. The second I can’t go into too much detail, but basically we go to my relatives place for outdoor time. My relatives are disabled, one of them awaiting a very serious, possibly terminal diagnosis. Our visits (Alfred and I) are a little therapeutic, or at least cheering to them, which they really need. So it is a dilemma for me.

[Azerane]

Well I agree that there is certainly risk in any fresh greens or hay that is fed. However I feel that hay is more risky than fresh greens from my garden which I know has no wild rabbits in it, whereas any hay has a far higher chance of being potentially contaminated given that wild rabbits definitely frolic in hay fields Plus I wash greens, whereas you can’t wash hay, and I’m not going to stop feeding hay because it might be contaminated, so I see no reason to not feed greens either when both are so vital to their diet. There is definitely a balance between keeping them safe and continuing proper care/quality of life.

I understand your situation with your visits with Alfred, keeping him in is for his well-being, but continuing the visits is for your relatives well-being. Certainly a dilemma. I’m very sorry to hear about your relative too, wishing them the best.

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