Vaccination of rabbits: what and when to do at home

Vaccinating rabbits helps animals protect themselves from major diseases. Even an inexperienced farmer can vaccinate animals. For this, it is not at all necessary to be able to give injections. Today, there are special guns that help you vaccinate yourself. At the same time, it is important to strictly observe the dosage and adhere to the timing of vaccinations.

Why vaccination is needed

The main problem of rabbit breeding is that most of the diseases of these animals are practically not amenable to therapy. Pathologies such as myxomatosis or viral hemorrhagic disease are fatal in almost 100% of cases.However, only a few survive. Besides this, there is always the threat of the spread of diseases and the development of an epidemic. Therefore, the timely implementation of vaccinations often helps to keep animals not only he althy, but also life.

Compulsory vaccinations

Rabbits are recommended to be vaccinated against such pathologies:

myxomatosis;
rabies;
viral hemorrhagic disease.

Rabbits are more prone to these pathologies. In this case, animals can become infected anywhere. This is possible in the following cases:

contact with animals that spread infections - these include rats and mice;
Containment Breach;
insect bites.

The threat of infections lies in the fact that when a disease is detected in one rabbit, it quickly affects all the others.It is permissible to vaccinate yourself. For this, it is not necessary to contact a veterinarian. It is important to bear in mind that only he althy animals with normal temperature are allowed to be vaccinated.

Vaccinations not required

Rabbits often suffer from pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, listeriosis. The decision to vaccinate against these diseases should be made by a doctor. The main symptoms of pasteurellosis include the following:

increase in temperature;
lacrimation;
febrile condition.

Pasteurellosis mainly appears in large farms in violation of the rules for caring for animals. The first injection is done at 1-1.5 months. Then, during the first year of life, another 2-3 revaccinations should be performed. Subsequently, injections are performed every 6 months.

Key symptoms of salmonellosis include:

diarrhea;
intense vomiting;
loss of appetite.

Vaccinate animals against salmonellosis in the same way as against pasteurellosis. In this case, the interval between vaccinations should be at least 14 days. Listeriosis is more common in females. With the development of pathology, they lose their appetite. Often there is weakness and apathy. Comprehensive vaccination helps to prevent all three diseases. In this case, the vaccination schedule is selected by the doctor.

At what age are rabbits vaccinated and how often are they given?

Only he althy rabbits are allowed to be vaccinated, starting from 1.5 months. Then the vaccination should be done with an interval of six months. You can do the whole complex of vaccinations for meat breeds once a year.

There are 2 vaccination options:

The first scheme. At the same time, complex vaccination is performed. The first vaccination should be done at 45 days after birth. This means that rabbits born in September are vaccinated in October-November. The second vaccination is carried out after 3 months. Violating the deadlines is prohibited, since immunity must be formed and consolidated. Revaccination is carried out every 5-6 months.
Second scheme. In this case, monovaccines against myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease are applied in turn. The first vaccination is done at 45 days from VGBK. After 2 weeks, it is recommended to vaccinate rabbits against myxomatosis. The third vaccination is done after 3 months. During this period, rabbits are vaccinated against myxomatosis. The fourth vaccination is done after 2 weeks from VGBK. Then it is necessary to vaccinate rabbits with an interval of six months, alternating vaccines. At the same time, it is worth observing a gap of 2 weeks between vaccinations.

It is strictly forbidden to vaccinate pregnant rabbits. Also, do not vaccinate lactating females, as this can cause infection of the cubs.

Preparing the animal

Regardless of the type of vaccination, it is recommended to follow the following rules before the procedure:

rabbit must be absolutely he althy;
when carrying out the manipulation yourself, you must strictly follow the instructions for the medicine;
it is forbidden to change the dosage of the medication without a doctor's testimony;
important to strictly adhere to the vaccination schedule, otherwise the animal may become infected;
before vaccination, it is worth giving the animals a substance from helminths for prevention;
the first vaccination is permissible only if the weight of the animal exceeds 500 grams;
Minimum interval between different vaccinations should be 2-3 weeks;
when carrying out the procedure on your own, it is important to adhere to the rules for storing the medicine.

To avoid the occurrence of adverse reactions to the vaccine, it is recommended to protect rabbits from stress factors and hypothermia, which impair their immunity.

Self-vaccination at home for beginners

Vaccination is allowed on your own. However, it is permissible to inject the drug only after consulting a doctor. Rabbits are usually prescribed 0.5 milliliters of the drug. For decorative or dwarf animals, the dose can be selected individually.

You need to give injections with a sterile syringe. In this case, injections are performed intramuscularly. They can be done in the thigh or withers. Previously, the rabbit must be securely fixed. When carrying out the procedure, it is worth using someone's help. This will make vaccination easier.

It is not recommended to store an open container with a vaccine. The shelf life of the suspension mixed with distilled water does not exceed 3 days.

The first vaccination is given at the age of 45 days. If the rabbits were born in the fall, the procedure is performed in the winter. An important condition is strict adherence to the dosage.

Probable Complications

When the procedure is carried out correctly, the well-being of animals does not change. They usually take a few hours to cope with stress. In some cases, animals suffer from allergic reactions. This causes the following symptoms:

hyperemia of mucous membranes;
skin rashes;
shortness of breath;
drooling;
general weakness, fainting.

Signs of allergy usually appear a quarter of an hour after the injection or a little earlier. In this case, it is important to introduce antihistamines and drugs that will support the function of the heart muscle.

Vaccination complications include the following:

inflammatory processes - usually unexpressed;
Traumatic injury due to improper insertion of the needle - nerves or blood vessels are affected.

Sometimes a live virus from a vaccine is reborn or mutates. It can also cope with a weak immune system. In this case, the rabbits become ill with the pathology against which they were vaccinated. To protect rabbits from dangerous diseases, you need to vaccinate in a timely manner. In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the procedure for performing the procedure and adhere to the dosage.