As a hay grower and supplier for small animals we feel it is important to share valuable information regarding the health of your animals.  Recently RDHV-2 was found in Ontario with 2 cases being detected in Lambton and Essex counties.  We understand how concerning this is for our customers and want to reassure everyone that hay that our store sells is all grown in an RDHV free zone ( Perth County) but we are increasing our farm bio-security and continue to follow all CFIA and OMAFRA guidelines regarding this disease.

Hay quarantine- all 2021 cuts of hay have been in quarantine for longer than 1 year .  The new cut hay in 2022 that is available was harvested in early June 2022 so if you wish to have a longer quarantined hay please choose a 2021 variety.

Pet Rabbits- we do not currently have any rabbits under our care.  We continue to not enter customers residence buildings to deliver orders due to this virus and Covid 19.

Order pick up on the farm- we are no longer allowing customers to enter the farm to pick up orders,  all orders for farm pick up will be placed at our farm gate mailbox at the time that was arranged.  Please do not drive into the farm!  

We encourage all rabbit owners to also implement vigorous bio security measures in your homes to prevent this virus from spreading.

Below is the CFIA Fact sheet regarding this disease and if you have any questions or concerns please contact us.

 

 

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) fact sheet

(Viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits)

What is rabbit haemorrhagic disease?

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a sudden, highly contagious and fatal viral disease of rabbits. RHD affects rabbits of the Oryctolagus cuniculus species, including wild and domestic European rabbits, from which our own domestic rabbits are descended.

Is RHD a risk to human health?

RHD is not known to causes disease in humans.

What are the symptoms of RHD?

After being exposed to the virus, rabbits usually become sick within one to five days. Death is common after a short period of illness. Death may also occur suddenly without signs. RHD poses very minimal risk of infection to Canada's native rabbit species. Pet rabbits and European rabbit breeds are at an increased risk of infection.

Common clinical signs include:

• fever
• depression
• loss of appetite
• shortness of breath
• groaning
• blood spots in the eyes
• frothy and bloody discharge from the nose
• neurological signs, including difficulty walking, paddling of the legs, seizures and paralysis

Chronic cases are less common. Typical signs are poor appetite, weight loss, jaundice (yellowish colour of the skin), diarrhea, bloating of the abdomen and eventually death due to liver disease.

Where is RHD found?

RHD is found in most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Cuba and some parts of Asia and Africa. Occasional outbreaks occur in the USA and Canada (in 2018, 2016 and 2011).

How is RHD transmitted and spread?

RHD is caused by a very contagious virus. It is spread between rabbits through direct contact with infected saliva, runny nose and eyes, urine, manure, blood and infected fur or carcasses. It can also be spread by infected objects, like food, bedding, water and cages. People can also easily spread the virus on their hands, clothing and footwear after being in contact with infected rabbits. The virus can be spread by car tires after travelling through an area where infected rabbits have been.

The virus can also be brought in from other areas or countries through infected live rabbits or items, such as rabbit meat, pelts and Angora rabbit wool. While meat from rabbits infected with RHD is not known to cause illness in humans, the handling and movement of their meat can contribute to the spread of the virus. Since the virus is very resistant in the environment and survives temperature extremes, including freezing, anyone handling rabbits or rabbit meat is strongly encouraged to follow good hygiene practices (e.g. wash hands and cook meat thoroughly).

How is RHD diagnosed?

RHD should be suspected in rabbits with sudden and unexplained illness and/or death, especially if multiple rabbits are involved or if bleeding is seen. Rabbit owners should report any suspicious deaths to their veterinarian.

Laboratory tests performed in a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) or another approved lab are necessary to confirm the disease.

How is RHD treated?

There is no treatment for the disease.

How is RHD prevented?

There is no vaccine licensed for general use in Canada. In certain situations, vaccines may be made available through a special process facilitated by the CFIA.

The best way to prevent RHD is to practice good biosecurity, including the following:

• wash hands, clothing, cages and equipment between rabbits from different sources
• quarantine new rabbits away from existing ones
• prevent contact with wild rabbits

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us anytime.

Mark & Kim McKay, TCP