Dr. Maro: Preventing springtime infectious diseases in pet rabbits, dogs and cats

Dr. Cynthia Maro
·4 min read
Dr. Cynthia Maro
Dr. Cynthia Maro

There are several well-known infectious diseases of dogs and cats that increase during warmer weather, due in part to increased outdoor activities for pets and their owners.

Some newer infectious disorders are less well-known and can also be prevented by taking measures to decrease the risk of exposure and through newly developed vaccines.

What is RHVD?

One disease that affects pet rabbits, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Viral Disease (RHVD) of wild and pet rabbits, is highly contagious and fatal to lagomorphs (rabbits). Even if your rabbit doesn’t go anywhere outside your home, a bunny can be infected when owners unknowingly carry the organism to a pet through shoe and clothing contact with the virus.

According to the USDA, “RHDV2 is highly contagious and, unlike other rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses, it affects both domestic and wild rabbits. Many times, the only signs of the disease are sudden death and blood-stained noses caused by internal bleeding. Infected rabbits may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs. The RHDV2 virus is very resistant to extreme temperatures. It can be spread through direct contact or exposure to an infected rabbit’s excretions or blood. The virus can also survive and spread from carcasses, food, water, and any contaminated materials. People can spread the virus indirectly by carrying it on their clothing and shoes.”

Fortunately, there is now a reliable vaccine available and rabbits can be vaccinated to protect them from the fatal virus. The first year a rabbit is vaccinated, the vaccine is given in two initial shots, three weeks apart. After that, the vaccine is given annually.

I have been administering the vaccine to pet rabbits over the past year and have not seen any negative reactions to date.

If you own pet rabbits, this is an effective vaccine, and should be considered and discussed with your rabbits’ veterinarian.

Tick-Borne Diseases or Vector-Borne Illnesses

Ticks spread not only Lyme disease to humans, dogs, horses, and even cats, but they also carry many other serious blood parasites and viruses. Recently my practice has seen an increase in Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Babesia cases, in addition to Bartonella (this can be spread by both fleas and ticks and can spread to humans from their pets or through flea bites).

I have recently diagnosed cases of Babesia, a microscopic blood parasite spread by ticks, in dog patients. The organisms can also infect humans and you can learn more about Babesia at https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/index.html

The problems with many tick-borne diseases are that symptoms overlap, testing for all VBDs gets expensive and involved and not all of these blood parasites will be controlled with the same medications. Babesia is a protozoan organism that acts more like malaria and is very different from the Lyme organism. It requires a different treatment protocol.

Unfortunately, many people and animals may be exposed to more than one disease from a single tick bite. If you test positive on a Lyme disease test, but also have Babesia (or your dog does), you may see improvement to initial treatment with Doxycycline and then relapse.

Unless a complete diagnosis is made and appropriate treatments are prescribed, you (or your infected pet) may never get well.

The best way to prevent your pet from getting one of 38 vector-borne illnesses, while at the same time protecting yourself and your family, is to use an excellent flea and tick control product, and follow these steps:

  • Vaccinate dogs for Lyme disease. Before vaccinating, be certain your pet has a negative test.

  • I recommend pets be tested twice annually for Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, AND anytime a known exposure occurs or if symptoms of Lyme disease occur.

  • Use continual flea and tick products as recommended by your veterinarian and purchase through ethical sellers. Prescription products including Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica and Seresto, purchased through your vet’s office, are often very helpful in reducing the spread of VBD.

  • When doing yard work or hiking outdoors, tuck your pants into your socks/footwear and spray your clothing, footwear and socks with a product like Insect Shield.

When coming indoors, remove all clothing and place in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes. Shower as soon as possible.

  • When you cannot do number 4 and 5 above, run a lint roller over yourself and your clothes after time outdoors. Lint rollers can also be used on your pets.

  • Cutting tall grasses and managing brush near your home can reduce tick numbers.

  • If you or your pet has a tick attachment, remove the tick using a tick twister or similar tool (keep these in your vehicle, purse and in athletic packs). Save the tick in a ziplock bag and submit it for testing at ticklab.org. If the tick tests positive for any pathogen, contact your physician (for human exposures) or veterinarian (in the case of animal exposures) for appropriate medications. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SYMPTOMS OF DISEASE APPEAR.

  • If chronic and or recurrent symptoms of VBD develop, keep reaching out to your physician or your pet’s vet until full recovery is achieved.

Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like to have addressed, email ellwoodvet@msn.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Maro: Preventing springtime infectious diseases in pet rabbits, dogs and cats