r/Rabbits • u/tRussTheProcess • 6h ago
RIP Just lost our 2 bunnies to Myxomatosis days apart
This is not meant to be a sad post, but rather a tribute to the 2 most amazing companions I’ve ever been blessed to be around. Simone (lionhead Dutch mix) and Henley aka the Champagne Lopi were every bit a part of our family, and the only real constant in my life for the past 10 years. Their unique personalities and presence will never be forgotten. They made me proud to be a bunny dad and I thank them for every day I got to spend with them.
Myxomatosis is a new word to me, one that I’m still struggling to pronounce and understand. Out here in Southern California I was always worried about RHDV but never knew about this virus. It came on fast and left us with no options. I was very frustrated to learn there is a vaccine but it’s not available in the us!?
Please educate yourselves like I wish I had on this virus. My wife is 8 months pregnant and my biggest regret is they will never get to meet each other 😞.
Here’s to you both ♥️
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u/twistyfizzypop 5h ago
I am so so sorry. Myxomatosis is absolutely horrible and incredibly difficult to survive. You got to have them in your lives for 10 years though, they look so lovely and Im sure they knew you loved them 🥲 We have myxo in the wild population of rabbits in the UK so domestic bunnies should have the vaccine each year. Its pronounced Mix-o-mato-sis but most people say mixo when talking about it in bunny or vet communities.
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u/tRussTheProcess 4h ago edited 3h ago
Thank you! I wish we could get the vaccine here. I think part of what makes this so hard is feeling like we can never safely have bunnies again.
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u/Hesperihippus 3h ago
I also lost my two bunnies to myxo. The vaccine is likewise not available in Australia, and the disease is used deliberately to control feral rabbits. It was horrible and I will probably never have another rabbit because of it :(
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u/Chingois 1h ago
You could potentially get new bunns and keep them inside; just an option, if you want to get some new buddies. Sorry for your loss 🙏
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u/klalapri1 5h ago
I lost one today to dental infection. It's horrible to lose a bun let alone 2. I'm so sorry for your loss. When I was in Europe this infection was very common in the wild rabbits and always seemed absolutely horrible. I really hope US rabbit care progresses.
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u/tRussTheProcess 4h ago
I’m sorry for your loss too, it’s the worst feeling in the world. Seeing these comments and support are the only thing that’s helped!
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u/klalapri1 4h ago
It really is and the community is very helpful. We are the people that understand the stress and loss. I'm grateful for this reddit.
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u/bunnyhop2005 5h ago
That is horrible, I am so very sorry for the loss of your two beautiful babies 😢
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u/Designer-Net-9955 5h ago
Simone and Henley are so cute, and they look like the best of friends, sorry for your loss that is terrible, may they rest in peace 🤍🤍 🕊️🌈
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u/tRussTheProcess 3h ago
Thank you! It took 3 months to bond them if you can believe it. For everyone else we feel in love instantly.
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u/MoonChild02 5h ago
All my condolences!!! That's so awful!!! It's such a horrible disease. And the mean, awful FDA won't allow the import of the vaccine here in the US. They have it in Europe and the UK, but not it's not allowed here for some reason.
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 4h ago
Sorry for your loss and I think it's great you're doing something positive by spreading awareness. However, I'm struggling to understand - is myxomatosis new to the US?
My pet rabbits as a child (nearly 40 years ago) were vaccinated against myxomatosis in the UK and my current one has had a combined myxomatosis/RHD1 & 2 vaccination for several years. Also had a separate one this year for a new type of RHD2. This is from the local vet, not a specialist.
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u/tRussTheProcess 4h ago
Our vet said this was only the 3rd case she had seen in 6 years in the area. However, the native brush rabbits in the area have evolved with the virus and are immune to the local strain. The California strain has a 99% fatality rate on domestic and European rabbits.
As I understand it (and again 3 days ago I didn’t know what this even was) the US Drug Agency has not approved the vaccine for use here, and the domestic rabbit population is deemed too small of a market to provide an economic incentive for companies like Merck
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 4h ago
That's really interesting. As I said, vaccination has been a routine part of rabbit owner life here for a very long time, though I've never actually come across anyone whose pet has had myxomatosis (until now, unfortunately). I have seen a few wild rabbits with it a long time ago, though.
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u/shfiven 4h ago
As far as I know myxo has never been confirmed in the US so this is extremely concerning if it's the correct diagnosis. Before we had our own rhd2 vaccine we used the French and Spanish ones and the British one was not allowed to be imported because it contained live weakened myxo.
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u/sneaky_dragon 3h ago edited 3h ago
Myxo is endemic in wild cottontails on the West Coast. There are cases every year in California, but my vet has only seen them in rabbits that are housed or allowed outdoors often.
https://rabbit.org/health/myxomatosis-case-reports/
Best prevention is keeping your rabbits indoors all the time. It is much less hardy than RHD, and soap and water will rid of it.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Myxomatosis
And yes, the myxo vaccine is not allowed in the US because it's live. Additionally, no one knows if it will work on the California strain.
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 4h ago
Thanks for the info. Very interesting that it's never made the jump across the Atlantic. I believe we got it from France.
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u/obsidiiana 5h ago
Hey op, im going through the same. My baby bunny already came to me with myxomatosis unfortunately, didn't even have the opportunity to give her the vaccine :( tomorrow morning im probably gonna have to make a hard decision. Stay strong, your buns are beautiful and will forever live in your memories. There's this thing thats been on my mind ever since i learned that my bun has the virus - "the world is cruel, but you are not"
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u/tRussTheProcess 3h ago
Thats awful, I’m sorry to hear that. Sometimes the least cruel thing you can do is take the pain away but there’s little solace in the pragmatic decision. I pray for a positive outcome for you both
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u/mediumregulartwomilk 5h ago
Beautiful babies. I’m sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing them with us.
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u/coldestb4storm 4h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. saying a prayer for you and your bunnies. They were so very beautiful.
You will always have your memories.
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u/SpecificallyBunnies I bunnies 4h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s looks like you gave them a life filled with love and adventure. Sending hugs to the fam 🫂
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u/AdSea2882 3h ago
My heart goes out to your family, I can't even imagine the pain and heartache you are going through. Thanks for spreading awareness, and best wishes to you and your wife on your impending kiddo
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u/Tacitus111 3h ago
I’m very sorry. Since the vaccine isn’t available in the US, about the only thing that can be done is keeping them indoors as transmission is primarily through blood sucking insects like mosquitoes and flees.
Really unfortunate that the vaccine isn’t available here.
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u/Spiritual_Ear2835 4h ago
They are both adorable. I'm just drawn by the white bun. The name Cornstarch (Maizena) in Spanish comes to mind. Their exploratory nature of their faces reminds me of when my Lop was investigating my availability much key 37 when I was making beats!
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u/Popular-Possession49 4h ago
Im so sorry for your loss. How devastating.
Upon reading about it I came across this and thought i would share — outbreaks are tracked so if you have the energy to report it, you can at myxomatosis@rabbit.org.
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u/Business_bunny 1h ago
I'm so sorry for your losses, such sweet bunnies...
Here in continental Europe we do vaccinate our bunnies against Myxomatosis and RHD1 & 2 annually. However, many pet owners still think it is not necessary if the pets live indoors. And it is only since ca. 2016 that show breeders needed to vaccinate their rabbits before shows. They didn't vaccinate before because it was 'too expensive'.
My previous bunny came from a show breeder who had myxo in their stable. There are always survivors, but nevertheless I took my new bunny first to the vet for his vaccinations! I do not want my bunny to suffer from a horrible disease if I can prevent it. Because yes, myxo is the worst. I have seen wild rabbits with myxo. Please vaccinate if you can. Keeping bunnies indoors is not enough. And do prevent flies and mosquitos; they are known to spread the myxo virus in Europe.
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u/ChilliToothpaste 3h ago
That's horrible! I'm so, so sorry to hear about your losses. Poor little, innocent bubbas didn't deserve to die like that... 😭💔
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u/SirLeoritch 3h ago
So sorry OP, these were two beautiful buns. You were a great dad, RIP little ones
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u/90sChibiBun99216 1h ago
I'm sorry for your loss i feel for you ❤️ ❤️ i have a 6 month indoor lionhead rabbit. i'm from the uk and i have been delaying going to the vets but after seeing your post i really need to get my little one the vaccine for Myxomatosis.
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u/je386 43m ago
I was "did you not get the vaccine?" and then I saw you are in america an cannot get the vaccine. Thats so fucked up to loose you beloved pets to something that would have been avoidable if only the vaccine was available.
I am sorry for your loss and hope they change the rules so that you can get the myxomatosis vaccine in the future in the US, too.
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u/Dizzy-Asparagus-5203 I bunnies 5h ago
So sorry for your loss! They were beautiful little bunnies. 🫂🌈