Myxomatosis and rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease are devastating viral conditions that cause extreme suffering and death in unvaccinated domestic and wild rabbits.
Myxomatosis causes one of the most distressing disease progressions of any commonly seen companion animal condition. Affected rabbits develop gross swellings around the face, genitals and limbs, become completely blind, and suffer intense distress for up to two weeks before death. The suffering is prolonged and severe, and euthanasia is the only humane option for affected animals. Vaccination is highly effective and inexpensive relative to the suffering it prevents. The failure to vaccinate is a preventable welfare failure that affects thousands of rabbits annually.