Rabbits

[Breezeblock]

will the virus affect my dogs as they are quite partial to rabbits?

[Billhook]

will the virus affect my dogs as they are quite partial to rabbits?

 

In the same way that Myxomatosed rabbits and these VHD rabbits are left alone to die by foxes and other predators and the fact that most people would not feed their dogs on a myxy rabbit, I think it would be wise to steer clear of them

 

On the other hand the buzzards around here seem to do well feasting on them and they are still flying!

[spandit]

Thing is, rabbits breed so prolifically that once one with natural immunity starts producing offspring, the numbers will pick up again.

 

Shooting rabbits is good sport and I'd miss them if they were eradicated but I know a lot of farmers wish they'd go extinct

[@Wildlife_Mgr]

I first started to notice VHD in 2001 after t'foot and mouth had come to an end and we could get back on t'land. I visited a farm one night and had a scan round a 20 acre wheat field, there were rabbits everywhere! The following night nothing and subsequent nights the same. VHD was the only thing I could think of in order to wipe out a population in 24 hours.

 

It only really seems to affect adult rabbits, young bunnies tend to have some sort of immunity?..

[@Wildlife_Mgr]

will the virus affect my dogs as they are quite partial to rabbits?

 

In short, no.

 

As the name suggests (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease), it only affects rabbits.

[Bren.]

Thing is, rabbits breed so prolifically that once one with natural immunity starts producing offspring, the numbers will pick up again.

 

Shooting rabbits is good sport and I'd miss them if they were eradicated but I know a lot of farmers wish they'd go extinct

 

How do you think VHD got here?