A TOP vet has warned rabbit owners in Altrincham to protect their bunnies from a deadly disease that's been detected in the area for the first time.

Ian Hopkins, Principal Vet for the Willows Veterinary Group which owns Altrincham’s Clarendon Veterinary Surgery, has joined forces with Rabbit Rescue North West to issue guidelines to pet owners about how they can minimise the chance of infection from a new strain of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD).

The fatal disease, which can be carried by all rabbits, both in the wild and domestic, is often symptomless and yet much-loved family bunnies can be dead within hours, having suffered haemorrhaging in major organs, particularly the liver.

Ian said: “We help our clients vaccinate their rabbits against two main diseases, myxomatosis and VHD. There is now a new strain of VHD which has come into the UK and we have evidence of at least one case in Cheshire which was discovered following a post-mortem at one of our other Willows practices.

“This means we are keen to encourage rabbit owners to remain vigilant and to follow basic hygiene guidelines which will help stop the disease from spreading.

Messenger Newspapers: Nala the rabbit gets a thorough check over from vet Ian Hopkins

Nala the rabbit gets a thorough check over from vet Ian Hopkins

“It is a horrid disease and it is devastating for owners to see their loved pets suffer from it.

“While the current vaccines give some immunity, this new strain is proving largely resistant.

“There is another vaccine which is much more effective but it is currently out of stock because there have been outbreaks all over Europe which has meant the vaccine has been in high demand and UK vets are struggling to get hold of.”

Rabbit Rescue North West was set up almost two years ago to look after unwanted, neglected and needy bunnies.

Co-founder Katy Collins said: “We don’t want people to panic because we have only heard about a very small number of cases but with at least one confirmed for sure, we would urge people to keep a close eye on their pets and seek veterinary advice if they are worried at all about anything.

“We know there has been problems with this particular strain of the disease over in Europe for some time now but over the last six months, we have started to hear about more and more people becoming concerned in the UK.

“It is very important to make sure you keep up-to-date with your rabbit’s vaccinations but we know the current jab doesn’t fully protect against the new strain so we are very keen to see more done to increase the supply of the new vaccine and for it to be more readily available in the UK.”