Rabbit Vet Care

Dr. Colby has treated rabbits from all over the state of Georgia and is the preferred Rabbit Vet for The Georgia House Rabbit Society, a rabbit rescue, and shelter located in Cobb County. The GHRS entrusts the care of all of their rabbits to Dr. Colby and his staff and together they have saved the lives many hundreds of needy rabbits.

LOW COST SPAY & NEUTER FOR RABBITS

The Windward Animal Hospital has also introduced a Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Program for Rabbits! This is a day to get many spays & neuters done back-to-back. You sacrifice the one-on-one attention and NOT the quality of the service. To read more about this service, visit our page dedicated to our low-cost rabbit spay and rabbit neuter program. You can sign up here for the low-cost day: “ONLINE SIGN UP” HOWEVER it is important to visit the page above to get the two vital documents that MUST be completed and returned in advance of the low cost day. No exceptions! Sorry.

If you want ONE-ON-ONE service, we offer Regular Priced Rabbit Spay & Neuter Standard Appointments. Just call and request the services and we will go over the standard pricing.

Dr. Colby and his staff welcome your questions about our rabbit care services.

(770) 569-7298

All About Rabbit RHDV & Vaccinations

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly contagious, fatal disease in rabbits and is currently classified as a reportable, foreign animal disease in the United States. Animal health officials detected rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 (RHDV2) for the third time in the United States in February 2020. It has since been spreading across the country. It is important to note that RHDV2 does not impact human health.

RHDV2, unlike other rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses, affects both domestic and wild rabbits. Infected rabbits may develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs.  However, many times, the only signs of the disease are sudden death.

How RHDV2 Spreads

RHDV2 can be spread through direct contact or exposure to an infected rabbit’s excretions or blood. The virus can also survive and be spread from carcasses, food, water, and any contaminated materials.  It has also been spread by insects. Because of survivability, people can spread the virus indirectly by carrying it on their clothing and shoes after being exposed to an infected animal or environment.  Thorough biosecurity and vaccination are the only way to protect your rabbits.
Source: usda.gov

– GETTING VACCINATED –

Now we only offer the RHDV-2 Vaccine (Medgene Vaccine). Our vaccine package which includes both doses of the vaccine and a recheck exam (~3 weeks after the spay/neuter date) to get the second dose of the RHDV vaccine for $150 as a stand alone service. BUT, if you schedule as an add-on service (Annual Exam, Low Cost Spay or Neuter, etc) the it discounted to $90.

MORE INFORMATION ON RHDV-2 : https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf OR https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/faq-rhd-vaccine.pdf , https://medgenelabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/RHDV2-FAQ-1222.pdf

The price of MEDGENE will be $150 and it includes: Two (2) Exams & Two Vaccinations, the initial dose and the booster.

FAQ: Medgene RHDV2 Vaccine

Q: What kind of vaccine is it? 
A: Medgene’s RHDV2 vaccine is made of a single “subunit” or part of the RHVD2 virus that, when administered properly, results in a robust immune response in the rabbit which we observe as near-complete resistance to RHD. More vaccine information from Medgene is available here.

Q: How is Medgene’s vaccine administered?
A: This vaccine is administered in 2 subcutaneous doses, 21 days apart and (according to preliminary reports) once a year thereafter to maintain the advertised efficacy.

Q: How long after my bunny is vaccinated will the vaccine be effective?
A: Properly administered, Medgene’s vaccine will be fully effective 35 days after the first dose and 14 days after the second injection. Data on the booster is not yet available. The vaccine’s advertised efficacy requires both shots in the 2 dose regimen.

Q: How effective is this vaccine?
A: In Medgene’s preliminary tests, all vaccinated rabbits survived a “challenge” which means that researchers intentionally injected the live virus that causes RHD into rabbits who had been fully vaccinated with Medgene’s vaccine; 100% of vaccinated rabbits survived this challenge in laboratory conditions.

Q: What does Emergency Use Authorization mean?
A: The vaccine is not yet fully licensed by the USDA, but instead has been given Emergency Use Authorization. As part of the EUA process, Medgene has demonstrated preliminary vaccine efficacy and safety. Additional efficacy and safety studies are underway as the company works towards a full product license. EUA makes Medgene’s recombinant vaccine available for any State Veterinarian in the USA who wishes to distribute the vaccine in their state. This authorization does not require confirmed cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease in that state.

Q: Is this vaccine safe?
A: Additional data must be generated by Medgene and must meet final safety criteria for full approval, but Medgene’s vaccine has undergone extensive preliminary testing and these data do suggest this vaccine is safe!

Q: What are possible side effects to this new recombinant RHDV2 vaccine?
A: So far, Medgene safety testing studies report only rare instances of swelling at the injection site which resolve within 48 hours. Other possible side effects are a temporary slight fever and/or lethargy for 1-2 days.

Q: Who decides if the new vaccine may be used in my state?
A: State Veterinarians authorize and direct vaccine use in their state, including recordkeeping and ID requirements.

Q: Who can purchase the vaccine?
A: Under Emergency Use Authorization, Medgene Labs is distributing vaccine ONLY to licensed veterinarians in authorized states.

Q: Does Medgene’s new vaccine require the use of rabbits in its vaccine production? 
A: Rabbits are not used in the general manufacture of this vaccine. However, a limited number of rabbits are required to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccine under federal law. Once this vaccine receives full authorization, no additional rabbits will be required to produce the vaccine. 

Q: Can my rabbit be vaccinated with the new Medgene recombinant RHDV2 vaccine if previously vaccinated with Filavac or Eravac?
A: Yes.

Q: Will the imported Eravac and Filavac vaccines continue to be available or will Medgene’s recombinant vaccine replace them? 
A: Since the US-made Medgene recombinant RHDV2 vaccine option is now available under EUA, the USDA will no longer approve new import permits for the two European RHDV vaccines. There will be a transitional period where veterinarians with supplies of Eravac and Filavac on hand will use up existing stock. Veterinarians’ existing USDA vaccine import permits will not be rescinded, but these permits will not be renewed once expired, nor will any new permits for imported RHD vaccines be issued. 

Q: What does the new recombinant RHD vaccine cost?
A: Medgene expects the cost to be comparable to the two previously imported RHDV2 vaccines. Medgene’s vaccine is available for purchase by licensed veterinarians only at this time. These veterinarians and their practices will determine prices, so the cost may vary and might include required record keeping such as identification requirements (like microchips injected under the skin or tattoos), which may also be reflected in the veterinarian’s cost of vaccination.

Q: Does Medgene’s RHDV2 vaccine “shed”?
A: No, this vaccine does not involve any infectious virus or whole viral particles and cannot cause viral shedding in vaccinated animals. However, if a vaccinated animal is infected with RHD, it may shed virus without showing symptoms.

Q: Can the recombinant vaccine be given to pregnant or nursing rabbits?
A: Safety studies have not yet been completed for these rabbit populations, but the available data suggest this vaccine will eventually be approved for use in pregnant and nursing rabbits.

Q: Do I still need to practice biosecurity if my rabbits are vaccinated?
A: Vaccination is the best protection you can give your companion rabbit. Continued biosecurity and decontamination is a good idea under most circumstances. For those choosing not to vaccinate their rabbit(s) for any reason, we recommend that strict biosecurity continue at all times. Caregivers should maintain strict biosecurity for immunocompromised rabbits as they still at significant risk before and after vaccination. We also recommend decontamination in the event of known or probable exposure – like if a family pet returns home with a wild or feral bunny. Those who are particularly risk averse may wish to continue some measure of biosecurity after vaccinating their rabbits, like removing shoes before entering the home. We highly recommend continuing biosecurity in areas where RHD is endemic and suggest contacting your local HRS chapter to learn more about the best practice for your region.

Q: Do I need to sanitize vegetables for my vaccinated companion rabbit?
A: It is recommended by HRS that you rinse all greens intended for your pet rabbit whether they are vaccinated or not, however heroic decontamination of greens involving sanitizing chemicals or extensive series of washes are not necessary for vaccinated rabbits.

Q: Can my vaccinated bunny safely go outside?
Our clinic or Georgia HRS will guide you through the recommended steps to help promote the safety of your companion rabbits in the face of this ongoing disease while observing the appropriate practice for your region. Advice you receive regarding biosecurity practices might differ significantly from chapter to chapter and this is a result of regional differences in risk assessment and policy dictated by your state’s authorities.