Associated vaccine for rabbits: types, instructions and dosage

Associated, or one-component, vaccine for rabbits from MKM and VGBK is a drug that allows you to prevent outbreaks of dangerous diseases. It is impossible to protect animals from infections and viruses. Even insects can infect rabbits. After receiving the vaccine, the animals immediately acquire resistance to a particular virus. Vaccination is carried out no more than once every six months.

What is myxomatosis done for?

A disease such as myxomatosis is viral and can lead to the death of not just one rabbit, but the entire livestock. The fatality rate is over 70 percent.Sick animals can be cured if the fight against the virus is started at the initial stage. It is best to prevent the development of the disease and get vaccinated. There is no other way to escape the virus.

Dangerous pathogen is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, as well as through food or grass contaminated with rodents. Outbreaks of diseases are recorded in the spring and summer. A sick animal develops purulent exudate from the eyes and tearing, and red bumps and nodules form on the head and ears. The meat of an infected animal cannot be eaten, it is covered with neoplasms that cause disgust.

The only salvation from myxomatosis is mandatory vaccination. Thanks to vaccination, the rabbit develops a strong immunity to the virus, which lasts for a long time. Only he althy animals are vaccinated, the sick are treated or sent for slaughter.

Important! After vaccination, rabbits will not get sick with myxomatosis even if infected, or they will suffer the disease without complications.Immunity to the virus is formed within 3-7 days after vaccination. In the first weeks after the injection, domestic rabbits will have a mild form of myxomatosis.

At what age?

The recommended period for vaccination is 28-45 days from birth. Animals are usually vaccinated in the spring. You can do the injection yourself or take the rabbits to the veterinary hospital. It is necessary to pay attention to the weight of the pet. Rabbits that have gained more than 500 grams of live weight are vaccinated.

Vaccination frequency

Rabbits are usually vaccinated against two of the most dangerous diseases: myxomatosis (MKM) and viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD). Vaccinations against different strains are done alternately or simultaneously. Accordingly, there are monovaccines (against one virus) and associated ones (against MCM + HBV).

Associated vaccination schedule:

• for the first time - in 45 days;
• repeat - in 2-3 months;
• revaccination - every 5-6 months until the end of life.

Scheme for monovaccination:

• at 28-45 days the first vaccination against VGBK is done;
• after 14 days - vaccination against myxomatosis;
• after another 14 days - fixing the vaccination against VGBK;
• after another 14 days - fixing the vaccination against myxomatosis.

Repeat the fractional vaccination schedule - after 2-3 months. Revaccination with a monovaccine - every 6 months (according to the scheme 14 through 14). You should always start with a vaccine against HBV, as this is a more dangerous disease.

Important! If there is no epidemic outbreak in the area where rabbits live, then associated vaccination is carried out once. The weight of the animal must be at least 0.5 kilograms.

Varieties of Vaccines

There are three types of vaccines: one-component, complex and associated. There are different opinions about which one is better. Usually they buy the vaccine that is in the pharmacy. Preparations for vaccination must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 … +4 degrees.

Types of vaccines:

• one-component for viral hemorrhagic disease;
• one-component from myxomatosis;
• associated (from VGBK + MKM);
• complex (from VGBK and MKM).

Associated is made from strains of two viruses. The drug itself is a porous dry substance. Powder of light brown color is in small glass ampoules or bottles of different capacity. For vaccination, you also need to purchase a solvent (sodium chloride solution or water for injection), disposable syringes, cotton wool and alcohol for disinfection.One ampoule or vial is enough for grafting several individuals. The drug is called: Vaccine associated VGBK+MKM.

Myxomatosis monovaccine is also a dry powder, which is sold in ampoules or vials. The substance is diluted with a solvent before the animal is injected. Types of drugs: Myxomatosis Pokrov, Lapimun against myxomatosis.

VGBK monovaccine is a colorless suspension, ready for use. Common species: VGBK Pokrov, Lapimun against rabbit hemorrhagic disease, Pestorin. A complex vaccine is a package that contains one-component preparations from MKM and VGBK. One box contains two ampoules with vaccines for two different diseases.

Vaccination with each agent is carried out alternately or simultaneously (depending on the type and instructions). Mixing different drugs is prohibited.

Rules for self-vaccination

How to properly vaccinate is written in the instructions for use for each vaccine. The fact is that the drugs have different packaging and different shapes. There is no universal instruction. Vaccination is done in three ways: subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly. The injection site must be disinfected with an alcohol solution. The vaccine is administered orally with a sterile disposable syringe. For each method and drug developed its own dosage. True, there are several general rules that it is advisable to remember before venturing on your own (without the help of a doctor) to vaccinate.

How to vaccinate pet rabbits:

• vaccinate only he althy animals;
• rabbit body temperature should be 38.5-39.5 degrees;
• before vaccination, carry out antiparasitic measures;
• vaccination is prohibited in the heat (above +28 degrees);
• 10 days before vaccination, coccidiostats are added to the feed;
• vaccine, which is a dry powder, is dissolved with a solvent;
• vaccine - liquid suspension - ready for use;
• one small ampoule usually contains at least 10 doses (contents are enough for several rabbits);
• dosage of the dissolved preparation for 1 animal - 0.2…0.5 ml (depending on the type of vaccine and vaccination method);
• dosage of a fully prepared preparation for 1 rabbit - 0.5 … 1.0 ml (depending on the type of preparation and injection site);
• vaccination is done intramuscularly or subcutaneously in the thigh area;
• an intradermal injection into the ear or under the tail.

The easiest way is to call a veterinarian at home or take the rabbit to the clinic. If this is not possible, you can inject the animal yourself. Vaccines are bought at a pharmacy. In the same place or in a veterinary clinic, you can ask how to vaccinate a pet yourself.

Contraindications and side effects

Before you get vaccinated, you need to remember that a vaccine is not a cure for a disease, but a means of preventing it. The condition of the animal may deteriorate for some time, therefore only he althy rabbits are vaccinated.

Single vaccines are stronger than associated drugs. Single-component drugs for different strains are recommended to be administered in stages. Preparations are contraindicated to be mixed with each other. Animals are dewormed 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after vaccination.

There are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to the quality of the vaccine. It is forbidden to buy drugs in the markets. After all, the vaccine must be constantly stored in the refrigerator and even transported in a thermal container. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to carefully consider the ampoule before buying.Pay attention to the expiration date, the integrity of the package and the condition of the powder (whether there is mold). It is recommended to store the purchased vaccine at home in the refrigerator. Dry powder is diluted only before injection.

There are a number of rules that are recommended to follow after vaccination. Vaccinated animals need special care and feeding. Quarantine must last 14 days after vaccination.

How to care for rabbits after vaccination:

• do not bathe;
• ensure normal temperature conditions;
• do not change food, but add vitamin supplements;
• do not move animals;
• do not treat for parasites.

Important! Usually one vial of the drug is enough to vaccinate several animals. An open ampoule is stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 7 days.

Can pregnant rabbits do it?

Many domestic associated vaccines can be administered even to pregnant animals. Most of these drugs are completely safe. Usually, vaccine manufacturers indicate in the instructions whether pregnant rabbits can be vaccinated or not. Before the injection, it is advisable to carefully study the recommendations.

It is best to vaccinate first, and mate after 3 weeks. In this case, he althy offspring with already developed immunity to the virus will be born completely.

Does vaccination always help?

Veterinarians do not guarantee that vaccination will 100 percent protect rabbits from viruses. Sometimes even the vaccine itself can cause disease. True, this happens only with weakened and thin rabbits. Most vaccines do not pose a threat to the animal's he alth. However, everything depends not so much on the drug, but on the reaction of the rabbit's body to the vaccination.Worst of all, the vaccine is tolerated by old animals affected by helminths.

Vaccination of rabbits is carried out with monovalent and bivalent preparations. Single component vaccines are stronger. Sometimes such drugs can cause deterioration in the he alth of animals. It is recommended to vaccinate with a monovaccine only for young and he althy rabbits.

Associated vaccines are more benign. The animal receives a smaller dose of each strain. Such vaccinations are recommended for old or pregnant rabbits. The likelihood of complications or illness is minimal.

Recommended