Rabbits are susceptible to several highly fatal diseases that are largely preventable through vaccination, yet vaccination rates remain low due to owner underestimation of rabbit veterinary needs.
The preventable death of companion rabbits from myxomatosis or rabbit hemorrhagic disease represents a significant welfare failure that falls squarely on owner education rather than veterinary limitations. Both diseases cause severe suffering before death — myxomatosis causes facial swelling, blindness, and secondary infections; hemorrhagic disease causes organ failure and internal bleeding. The brief discomfort of an annual vaccination is trivially small compared to these outcomes. Improving rabbit welfare requires changing the cultural perception of rabbits as low-maintenance pets requiring minimal veterinary engagement.