Both wild and domestic rabbit populations face ongoing threats from myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD). Understanding these diseases helps with welfare protection for pet rabbits.
Wild rabbits suffering from myxomatosis face a distressing death — the disease causes blindness, respiratory failure, and extreme debilitation over 10-14 days. It is one of the most obviously welfare-concerning wildlife diseases in the UK, and one where human action (vaccination of pet rabbits, humane euthanasia of severely affected wild rabbits found by members of the public) can make a direct difference. Pet rabbit owners have the ability to protect their animals through vaccination, which should be considered a baseline welfare responsibility rather than an optional health measure.