Myxomatosis is a severe disease that is specific to rabbits. The disease is caused by a virus and it was deliberately introduced into some parts of the world in an effort to control the wild rabbit population. It has been present in the UK since the 1950s and when it first arrived it caused a devastating decline in the wild rabbit population. It remains a problem today for both wild and domestic rabbits in all areas of the UK and other parts of the world.

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What is myxomatosis?

Myxomatosis affects the skin, eyes, genitals and liver. It is often fatal. It is common to see wild rabbits with myxomatosis during the spring and summer months. 

Affected rabbits are often seen behaving abnormally. Sitting quietly by the side of the road or being out and about during the middle of the day, when normally they would be hiding in their burrows. You may see the characteristic swelling around the eyes and often affected rabbits appear to be blind. These rabbits are often easy to catch as they are so poorly. 

What are the signs to watch out for?

In your own pet rabbits, you may not notice the earliest signs of myxomatosis. They are often subtle during the initial incubation period. The very first sign is often a skin lesion at the site of an insect bite where the virus starts to replicate. This very first bump or swelling in the skin is usually missed by even the most observant of rabbit keepers.

The next sign is a subtle swelling of the eyelids

They become thickened and red with inflammation. You may notice that the eyes become infected with a discharge becoming apparent around this time. The eyes are sometimes described as looking “sleepy” in this initial stage.

Around this time you might also notice that your rabbit is not behaving as he or she normally would. They may become more withdrawn and less active or lethargic. A change in appetite is often noticed with your rabbit not wanting to eat or drink as much as normal.

Over the next few days the eyes continue to get worse 

At the same time, other lumps and bumps start to appear around the head. These swellings occur around the eyes, at the base of the ears, on the nose and lips and generally on the face. The head takes on a generally swollen and puffed up appearance giving the classic look of a rabbit with myxomatosis.

If you gently examine your rabbit underneath you will probably see a distinct swelling of the genitalia and anus. The signs of general lethargy and lack of appetite will also become more pronounced with your rabbit not wanting to eat or drink much at all. Other lumpy skin lesions can also become apparent anywhere on the body.

A rabbit with full blown myxomatosis will look extremely unwell 

They have a swollen head and face. Their eyelids may become so swollen that they can no longer open them at all. This means that the rabbit becomes effectively blind. There may also be a nasty creamy discharge from the eyes and nose . Some of the skin lesions can start to ooze and become crusty.

Secondary complications

A rabbit with fully developed myxomatosis may have difficulty breathing due to swellings around the nose. Pneumonia and other secondary diseases are common if a rabbit develops myxomatosis. As a result, they are at extreme risk of complications from other illnesses due to their weakened state. If a wild or unvaccinated rabbit has myxomatosis the prognosis is extremely poor and often euthanasia is often the kindest way to prevent suffering. 

Over time, if a rabbit survives, the lumpy skin lesions can become hard and crusty. Eventually the lumps will dry out and drop off. These skin lesions usually leave scars, especially around the eyes and nose.

Most unvaccinated rabbits with myxomatosis will die in about 2-3 weeks

However, if a rabbit has been previously vaccinated against myxomatosis they may succumb to a more chronic but milder form of the disease. Skin lesions tend to be the major sign in this situation and these can lead to scarring if the rabbit survives.

In this atypical form of myxomatosis, the skin can show circular crusty lesions which can look quite red and raw. Eventually, these areas crust over and then drop off with the rabbit having a good chance of recovery. With this milder form of myxomatosis, your rabbit will still be very unwell and susceptible to secondary problems. So good veterinary care is still essential to give your pet the best chance of overcoming the disease.

Preventing myxomatosis

As Myxomatosis is such a serious disease, vaccination is recommended to help reduce the severity of disease. It will also give your rabbit a better chance of survival if they do contract myxomatosis. However, since the vaccination is not 100% effective in preventing myxomatosis other precautions should also be taken.

These include ensuring that your pet rabbits are not in contact with wild rabbits. You may also use a rabbit-friendly product recommended by your vet to control fleas, which can carry the disease. Since mosquitos can also transmit myxomatosis when they bite, it will help to ensure that there is no stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed in around your rabbit’s environment. Also, use mosquito netting over the hutch if necessary.

Remember that if you do ever catch a wild rabbit that seems to have myxomatosis you should ideally wear gloves when you handle them. Then take them quickly to your local veterinary practice. If you have your own rabbits at home you should change your clothes and wash your hands thoroughly before handling your own pets again. You could carry the virus home on your hands or clothing. This will not be a problem for you but could harm your own rabbits.

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