Sore nose, lethargic, swollen genitals

Question
Dear Dana,

We adopted a 6-8 month old male rabbit from the adoption centre about 3 weeks ago. He is a large lop rabbit, with short white fur and pink/blue eyes. Supposedly he was in the adoption centre because he didn't get on with other rabbits, even though he is the friendlist rabbit (I have 9) I have had because he is interested in all other rabbits and will lie happily beside them, the run fence between them, so I assume it was just because his owners didn't want him.
His name is Harvey and when we got him we thought he was incredibly docile and floppy, but then when he put him in his hutch he started passing some loose faeces and sleeping in his litterbox, and on the grass, and in the straw, in the middle of the day.
He has continued to sleep a lot every day since, no matter what time it is, or how hot it is, or where he is. When we let him run round the garden, he races and hops and jumps, but only for a short time before lying down.
His nose is sore and seems to be irritated and a darker pink around the edges.
Also, he humps anything, even the grass (we are getting him neutered) and his genitals are visible when he's walking around, hanging down slightly, and they look swollen and purple.
Our vet hasn't been very reliable, and I would like a different opinion and possible diagnosis before I take him, so that I know what to expect.

Thank you,
Becky.

Answer
Dear Becky,

Since you are in the UK, and this is a rescued bunny with unknown history, I would worry that this might be early signs of myxomatosis, a deadly viral disease for which there is a vaccine, but very little in the way of known cure.  Please find an experienced rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and get him there ASAP for diagnosis and treatment.  I know of one veterinarian in Australia who successfully treated four rabbits with full-blown myxomatosis by using a product called Equimune IV, which boosts the immune system and has other effects that help the rabbit fight the virus.  If this turns out to be myxomatosis, please contact me at dana@miami.edu for more information on Equimune IV treatment.  I will send you the original email from that veterinarian so your vet can contact her for more information.

I hope this helps.  But it's critical to get him to a good rabbit vet immediately for positive diagnosis.  If this is myxo, the sooner he is treated, the better his chances of survival.

Dana