SPCA warns pet owners of virus risk to pets

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

SPCA chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale says the SPCA and other groups have 'grave concerns' about the impact of the new virus strain on animal welfare.

A large number of pet rabbits are at risk of contracting a deadly new virus strain to be released around the country soon, the SPCA's chief scientific officer says.

Approval for the release of the K-5 strain of the rabbit haemorrhagic virus disease (RHDV1-K5) was announced on Tuesday. The virus will be released around the country, including at 100 sites throughout Otago, during March and April.

Many pet owners are concerned for their companion rabbits as approval has been given to release the virus RHDV1-K5.

Animal welfare advocates are disappointed the new virus strain, designed to kill about 40 per cent of the country's rabbit population, has been approved.

SPCA chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale said members of the public and welfare organisations, including the SPCA, had 'grave concerns' about the potentially severe impact of the virus on the welfare rabbits and the potential risk to pet rabbits.

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They were also concerned the vaccine currently available in New Zealand to protect pets against the virus would not provide sufficient protection.

'Research with small numbers of rabbits indicates that this vaccine will also provide protection against RHDV1-K5 but there is concern that the vaccine has not been adequately tested in the field and that there is not yet sufficient evidence to be sure that it will provide sufficient protection,' she said.

The SPCA opposed the introduction of RHDV1-K5 into New Zealand due to the significant suffering and distress it caused affected animals, she said.

'Our organisation advocates for the use of more humane methods where rabbit population control is necessary. We are disappointed that this new virus strain will be released in New Zealand despite the suffering it will cause affected rabbits and the potential risk to companion rabbits.'

The RHDV virus caused a haemorrhagic disease with a high mortality rate, she said.

'Susceptible wild and pet rabbits can be infected if exposed to the virus. The virus is spread by insect vectors, such as flies, and by direct contact between an infected rabbit, dead or alive, and a susceptible rabbit.'

In welfare assessments, the level of suffering of rabbits affected by RHDV was reported to be moderate to severe, and the time taken for the rabbit to lose consciousness and die could be prolonged, she said.

'Rabbits may have fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, fatigue, convulsions, signs of suffocation, opisthotonus – a condition in which the body is held in an abnormal posture with the body rigid, the head thrown backward, and a severely arched back, sudden crying, hemorrhaging, and uncoordinated movements or paddling of the limbs.

'However, infected rabbits may show no external signs of disease but suddenly die from organ failure within 12 to 36 hours of the onset of infection.'

There are about 116,000 pet rabbits in New Zealand, with 3 per cent of households having an average of two rabbits, Dale said.

'A large number of pets could be at risk so we are urging all rabbit owners to contact their veterinarian immediately for up-to-date advice on how to protect their rabbit from the new strain of this deadly virus.

'Maintaining up-to-date vaccinations, along with measures to reduce the potential exposure of rabbits to the virus, are currently the recommended steps to try and keep pet rabbits safe.'