myxamotosis

Re: myxamotosis

patrick murphy — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:40:29 GMT

these are outdoor pens, would there be a problem with fleas? how long could the virus remain viable in fomites?

Re: myxamotosis

Jo Cobbett — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 11:23:27 GMT

Also, are there wild bunnies nearby? In an outdoor system it's hard to completely prevent access by wild bunnies who can bring all sorts in with them.

Re: myxamotosis

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:21:44 GMT

Martin - can be useful to ask where they get their straw/hay from - can be a culprit for carrying beasties!

Re: myxamotosis

james herriot lied — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:49:04 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

there is no known exposure to fleas or other biting insects within the shop as far as it is possible to determine.

[/quote]

Except, perhaps, living on the backs of new entrants? I think also that some of our domestic rabbit cases lately have been due to the family dog going up into the dunes, where there are stacks of wild rabbits, and bringing home passengers.

Re: myxamotosis

Bob Russell — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:29:51 GMT

Mosquito's and midges get everywhere so I doubt there is anywhere that is totally safe!

Re: myxamotosis

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:27:22 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"]

in an outdoor system, after being affected by the disease, how long before the enviroment safe? anyone know?

[/quote] I'd also like to know, we have a local (pretty good) pet shop that has had two minor epidemics of myxomatosis recently, there is no known exposure to fleas or other biting insects within the shop as far as it is possible to determine. We suspect the original cases were infected prior to entry but some didn't develop symptoms for several weeks so I suspect spread by fomites. They disinfect the pens as well as possible but there are large numbers of other animals of other species in adjacent cages which makes wholesale disinfection impractical.

Re: myxamotosis

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:39:13 GMT

What ^ he ^ said.

I have used household flea spray in rabbit hutches before. No apparent ill effects.

Re: myxamotosis

james herriot lied — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:56:40 GMT

There is no safe time - flea survival over the last winter was extraordinary down here in the south west, and we're having epidemics of myxi amongst both wild rabbits and the domestics.

Vaccination is the first line; flea treatment the second (there are few things which are sufficiently protective AND of long enough duration to be worthwhile)

Blitz all inorganic (i.e. non-plant/soil) surfaces and make sure everything's properly vaccinated, with anti-insect preventative measures