Name
Low Incidence of Reported Side Effects Post RHDV-2 Vaccine Administration: 81 Domestic Rabbits
Description
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 (RHDV-2) is a highly contagious, fatal disease of domestic and wild rabbits introduced to the United States in 2018. This retrospective study assessed the incidence of owner-reported side effects in a large, heterogenous group of domestic rabbits receiving the RHDV-2 vaccine. Ninety-three rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) received RHDV-2 vaccination between January 2022 and October 2023. Each rabbit received 0.5 mL of an inactivated recombinant subunit vaccine (Medgene) subcutaneously in the pelvic limb and meloxicam orally at a dose of 1 mg/kg. An additional dose of oral meloxicam was sent home with each patient for the owner to administer 24 hours post-vaccination. Booster vaccinations were recommended to clients at 3-4 weeks post initial vaccination and annual vaccination thereafter. Medical records from these visits (initial and booster) were reviewed including a survey provided to the owners to report any observed side effects. Rabbits that did not return for booster or have completed survey information were excluded from the study bringing the total population to eighty-one. The most common reported side effects of the vaccine included lethargy (n= 7; 8.6%), reduced appetite (n = 6; 7.4%), and limping (n =1; 1.2%), that were all transient. No severe or life-threatening side effects were reported. Sixteen clients (28.6%) were first time clients and fifty rabbits (53.8%) were new patients. Vaccination for RHDV-2 appears to have a low incidence of reported side effects in client owned rabbits and providing this vaccine may be an additional source of income for veterinary clinics seeing rabbits.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)