RHD Vaccination Clinic - August 1, 2022

The exotics department at K-State has officially begun vaccinating domestic rabbits for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, and we would like to invite all of our rabbit owners to a vaccine clinic on Monday, Aug. 1.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease is a highly contagious and fatal calicivirus that affects domestic and wild rabbits. The virus is shed by infected animals through urine, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids. Rabbits may become infected via direct contact or via fomites (objects like shoes and clothing that may have viral particles on them) and vectors (insects). The best way to protect your pet rabbit is to ensure they are vaccinated. For more information on RHDV-2, please see the following fact sheets from the USDA and AVMA.

National Veterinary Service Laboratories has confirmed a positive case of RHDV-2 in Kansas as of July 2022. More information is available here. The US Department of Agriculture has authorized emergency use of the vaccine. Although the vaccine does not yet have full FDA approval, the approval process is in the works. The preliminary research on the vaccine suggests that it is both safe and effective in preventing infection. Side effects of the vaccine at this point have been rare and mild (mild swelling, low fever, and lethargy) for a few days following the administration of the vaccine.

If you are interested in coming to our vaccine clinic on Aug. 1 and are a CURRENT client, please fill out this form to indicate your preferred time slot.

This will act as your appointment time, so please select a time that works for your schedule and expect to arrive on time. We have 3 slots available for each 15 minute time window, and will be seeing rabbits from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm at the Veterinary Health Center. If you are NOT a current client with the VHC, please call the VHC at 785-532-5690 so we can create an account for your rabbit prior to arrival.

All rabbits receiving the vaccine will require a physical exam prior to receiving their first dose. This vaccine is a two-part series, so each rabbit will need to present at a follow up vaccine clinic on Friday, Aug. 19.

Please feel free to call for further information and pricing.