Myxomatosis in Rabbits

Myxomatosis is a deadly disease that afflicts rabbits and has killed millions of rabbits in the past century. It is important to understand something about this disease in order to gain a perspective on the recent history of rabbits, as well as to obtain knowledge that can help protect your pet rabbit.

Myxomatosis was first observed in South America in the late nineteenth century. It was then introduced to wild rabbits in Australia in the 1950's in an effort to control the overwhelming rabbit population there. Later, it was introduced to wild rabbits illegally in France and was subsequently transmitted to rabbits throughout Europe.

European and Australian rabbits are particularly susceptible to the disease. When it first began to spread beginning in the 1950's, over 90% of the rabbit population in England was wiped out. This was welcome news to many people in England who had been dealing with a massive rabbit overpopulation issue. However it was very bad for predators such as the Spanish Lynx who lived off the readily available supply of rabbits as food.

When the disease strikes a vulnerable rabbit, it begins to manifest itself as tumors on the skin. Soon the rabbits become feverish and listless. They lose their appetites and die usually within fourteen days. In European countries, when people come across a rabbit that is clearly dying from myxomatosis, many will kill the rabbit in an act of mercy.

Luckily, North American cottontail rabbits are not nearly as severely afflicted by the disease as are European rabbits. In cottontail rabbits, myxomatosis merely causes localized skin tumors. This explains why there has been no widespread deaths of rabbits in North America brought on by myxomatosis.

If you notice lumps on your rabbit's skin, there is a possibility that it has the myxomatosis disease. If you suspect your rabbit has fallen prey to the myxomatosis disease, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.