Myxomatosis causes severe and often prolonged suffering in wild rabbit populations, and understanding the disease and its management has significant implications for both conservation and animal welfare.
Myxomatosis causes one of the most distressing and prolonged deaths of any common wildlife disease. Affected rabbits experience progressive facial swelling that closes their eyes, making them effectively blind while still mobile for days. During this period they are unable to feed, unable to avoid predators, and in significant discomfort from the extensive inflammatory lesions. Rabbits found in this state of semi-blindness are welfare emergencies — the kindest intervention is usually euthanasia performed by a vet or trained wildlife carer. Allowing affected animals to die naturally is a prolonged welfare harm. Wildlife rehabilitators who receive myxomatosis-affected rabbits face the difficult decision of intensive treatment (rarely successful in wild rabbits) versus humane euthanasia.