Pet rabbit deaths from agonising myxomatosis soar by 300%

The number of pet rabbits being struck down by a contagious and lethal disease has risen by nearly 300 per cent in the last 12 months, an animal welfare group said today.

The veterinary charity PDSA has reported dramatic increases in incidence of myxomatosis in three of its PetAid hospitals in Humberside, the West Midlands and the South-East.

Since September last year, PDSA's PetAid hospital in Hull dealt with 30 cases of myxomatosis, after handling only eight the year before.

In Romford, the charity saw a leap from 12 cases of the disease in 2006/07 to 43 in the last 12 months.

Myxomatosis can be transmitted via fleas, flies that bite and direct contact with infected animals.

Its symptoms include listlessness and anorexia as well as swelling of the rabbits' heads, eyelids and genitals.

PDSA senior veterinary surgeon Sean Wensley said: 'The effects of the myxomatosis virus are very distressing to witness and are usually fatal.

'By the time clinical signs have developed, such as facial and genital swelling, it is often too late to be able to help affected rabbits.

'Myxomatosis is preventable through vaccination. Protecting pet rabbits from disease and suffering should be a priority.

'I strongly advise owners to ask their vet about vaccinations, as well as how to minimise numbers of biting insects.'

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said myxomatosis is widespread among the wild rabbit population of Britain.

He said the department recommends vaccination for any pet rabbits kept in rural areas which may come into contact with wild rabbits.