If you have a pet rabbit, be aware of a deadly disease that has been seen in Illinois for the first time.
Dr. Melissa Giese is a veterinarian at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie, the first place in Illinois to detect the fast-acting, deadly Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, just last week, on July 13.
She tells WBBM Newsradio’s Rachel Pierson the virus has been seen mostly western states so far. Her clinic detected it here while doing routine testing on pet rabbits that had died, she said.
“It’s definitely not something we were expecting to be in the Midwest quite yet, but it's definitely here,” Giese said Monday.
The disease, also known as RHDV2, is spread from wild rabbits. The most obvious symptoms include bleeding from the nose or mouth.
Affected rabbits may also be lethargic and anorexic and may show respiratory or neurologic signs. There is no live animal test to confirm the disease. A vaccine is available.
Rabbit owners are encouraged to keep their rabbits away from other rabbits, wash their hands after handling rabbits and keep cages clean.
“If you can get your rabbit vaccinated, that's the really the best way to help prevent it, too, just as an extra layer of safety,” Giese said.
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