Myxomatosis causes severe, prolonged suffering in wild rabbits. Understanding the disease and what can be done — and cannot be done — helps people respond appropriately when encountering affected animals.
Myxomatosis causes severe, prolonged suffering lasting 10-14 days in most cases. Affected rabbits develop swollen eyelids, facial oedema, and genital swelling that progressively impair vision, eating, and breathing. Death from respiratory failure, starvation, or secondary infection typically occurs after 10-14 days of suffering. There is no treatment for wild rabbits, and humane euthanasia is the kindest response to an affected animal. The suffering of myxomatosis-affected wild rabbits is one of the most severe disease-related welfare problems commonly encountered in UK countryside.