Free health checks for bunnies

UK vets together with rabbit welfare and industry groups are hopping to the help of one of the nation’s most popular pets, by offering free health checks during Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW; 15-22 September 2012) to reduce the high numbers of pet rabbits suffering in Britain and raise awareness of their long term needs.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Sep 2012, 09:35 BST

The RAW partnership, which aims to promote rabbit health and wellbeing, will feature hundreds of participating vet practices offering free rabbit health checks, as well as pet shops and rescue centres running educational events throughout the week. This offer of free advice aims to re-educate the nation’s rabbit owners on their pets’ health and welfare needs, as well as reducing the risk of fatal rabbit diseases with a simple vaccination.

This year’s campaign centres on the importance of regular vet health checks and vaccinations, to protect pet rabbits from two distressing and potentially fatal diseases - Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD).

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A recent 16 month study, undertaken by the University of Bristol, revealed that rabbit experts rated Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) as causing the most intense suffering in pet rabbits. RAW 2012 focuses particularly on the importance of regular vaccinations, to protect pet rabbits from infection.

Many thousands of cases of Myxomatosis are seen annually in UK pet rabbits with a recent 15 per cent increase in the proportion of vet practices reporting the disease compared to last year. This underlines the need for rabbits to be vaccinated, in the same way that owners protect cats and dogs through vaccination. With the right care, pet rabbits should live for 8-12 years, however over two-thirds (68 per cent) of UK pet owners thought they live no longer than five years.

Matt Brash, TV vet and RAW supporter, said: “As avid supporters of RAW, we know that many owners are very attentive to their rabbits, but don’t always fully understand their complex needs. The RAW partnership and vet practices nationwide recognise this and are opening their doors, for free, this week, to offer a helping hand to owners who are a little unsure on aspects of their rabbits’ care.

Where to go for your free health check? If you own rabbits then why not take them along for a free health check? Hundreds of veterinary practices all over the UK are offering free rabbit health checks along with advice and offers on vaccinations. Retailers and re-homing centres are also running other educational events to provide health and welfare advice. To find your nearest participating vet practice, visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk. Contact them directly to book an appointment or enquire about their offers on vaccinations.

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