Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is currently the most dangerous disease affecting rabbits. It is caused by a virus and causes blood clotting disorders (hemorrhagic = bleeding, causing hemorrhages). It is highly contagious and occurs worldwide in both domestic and wild rabbits. The infectious disease was first described in China in 1984, which is why it is also known as Chinese disease. Young animals and unvaccinated adult animals are particularly at risk.
The pathogen that causes RHD is a virus that is highly resistant and can survive in the environment for up to seven months, depending on the temperature. The disease is caused by two different variants of the virus (RHD1 and RHD2). The pathogen is transmitted by blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, rabbit fleas), direct contact, and contaminated objects. Surviving animals continue to excrete the virus and thus serve as a reservoir for the pathogen.
The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes and enters the bloodstream, where it spreads to all organs and the bone marrow. The consequences of viral replication are necrotizing (necrosis = tissue death) liver inflammation and severe blood clotting disorders, which lead to pinpoint hemorrhages in all tissues, but primarily in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary organs.
The peracute form is characterized by a very rapid progression. Animals that previously appeared healthy can suddenly die without any obvious symptoms. Occasionally, high fever or suffocation spasms can be observed shortly before death. In larger herds, mass mortality can occur.
The first symptoms appear after an incubation period of only 1-3 days. The animals first become restless, then listless and apathetic. Loss of appetite, breathing difficulties and fever are additional symptoms. The bleeding from the mouth and nose characteristic of RHD1 is not observed in infections with RHD2. In almost 100% of all cases, death occurs within 12 to 48 hours.
Subacute forms occur much less frequently. The affected animals only become ill approximately two weeks after infection and show significantly milder symptoms. They suffer from apathy, disturbed food intake, and fever, but have a much better chance of survival.
Due to the often very rapid progression of the disease, which is fatal, diagnosis is limited to pathological examination of deceased rabbits. The blood clotting disorder caused by the virus in the rabbit's body already provides the pathologist with a characteristic picture of changes. To confirm the suspicion of RHD, the virus can be detected directly in the laboratory using blood or tissue samples from the liver or spleen. Many laboratories are now able to differentiate between the two virus types, RHD1 and RHD2. In surviving animals, the virus can be detected in the urine or blood, although it should be noted that it is only excreted in phases and therefore only repeated testing can provide clear evidence.
The disease is incurable and cannot be treated with medication. In milder forms, only the symptoms can be treated, but surviving animals are not immune to the disease, continue to shed viruses, and thus increase the risk of infection.
In affected areas, therefore, disease control measures are all the more important. Strict separation of sick animals from healthy animals is just as important as thorough cleaning and disinfection of contaminated stables and equipment. It is also advisable to place affected farms under quarantine and to ban exhibitions for a certain period of time.
The most effective protection against this dangerous and incurable disease is vaccination against RHD1 and RHD2. The Standing Vaccination Commission for Veterinary Medicine (StiKo Vet), a committee of veterinary experts, therefore recommends vaccination against RHD as a "core component," which means that all breeding and pet rabbits should be protected against this disease at all times. In Germany, various vaccines and combination vaccines against RHD and myxomatosis are available. Depending on the vaccine, vaccination against RHD can be carried out from four to ten weeks of age and provides reliable protection for one year. Your vet can send you a personalized vaccination schedule for your rabbit via petsXL, and you will automatically receive notifications when it is time to make another appointment.
The risk of infection can be further reduced with the help of a number of additional protective and hygiene measures. These include changing the number of animals in your household as little as possible, quarantining new rabbits for at least three weeks, avoiding contact with wild rabbits, and providing effective protection against insects.
A female dog's heat cycle is a natural process that is necessary for reproduction. Dogs quickly realize when this time has come. During the "heat days," you should therefore be particularly careful if you do not want your female dog to have offspring from a male dog that has wandered into your yard. Conversely, if you want to breed, you need to observe your dog's cycle and take her to the chosen male dog at the right time.
Many things are easier when done as a team – this applies to both humans and animals. There are dogs that help people live with disabilities. These dogs are not only special animals, they are also specially trained.
Are you one of those people who dream of teaching Beo to talk? Training and taming birds requires patience and empathy for your feathered friend. Nothing is impossible, but some species are more talented at speech than others, while others prefer to live their own lives in small flocks and are not particularly interested in "conversing" with humans.
In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, it is certainly interesting to learn a little about the different breeds of rabbits. Below you will find a few breed profiles. Decide for yourself which rabbit suits you best. You may also want to visit one or two breeders and get some more detailed advice.
They are lively, curious, and entertaining, and you will have a lot of fun with a hamster. If you get involved and accept their peculiarities, you can become a really good team. With enough attention for your little darling, nothing should stand in the way of a long, happy hamster life.
One of the horses in your stable has a fever and nasal discharge. This is not necessarily cause for concern, as it could just be a harmless cold. But a few days later, three more horses in the stable have exactly the same symptoms. It is noticeable that all affected horses have severely swollen lymph nodes on their heads. By now, at the latest, the veterinarians who have been called in are alert, because this respiratory disease is obviously very contagious. Swab samples are sent to the laboratory and the suspicion is quickly confirmed. It is strangles, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract in horses. Even though the disease is not notifiable or reportable, stable owners and horse owners should now act carefully to prevent further spread.
Age is not a disease. We all get older and our bodies show signs of wear and tear. Some of us age faster than others, while others stay fit a little longer. Our horses are similar. From a certain age onwards, the signs can become increasingly noticeable. But this is no reason for us horse owners to get nervous. With keen observation skills and a little support, our beloved animals can grow old in good health.
Horses are flight animals. They need their sense of sight to spot enemies as quickly as possible. We therefore sometimes have to battle our favorite's instincts, because a horse sees—and flees.
Sarcoid is the most common tumor in horses worldwide. It is a connective tissue tumor involving the skin that does not form metastases in internal organs but often recurs after surgical removal. It is therefore referred to as a semi-malignant tumor. Horses of all breeds and ages are affected, as well as donkeys and mules.
You've probably heard sayings like these before: Cats only see their owners as "can openers"! Cats aren't dogs, waiting to serve their masters... But cats can learn rules too.
