Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Skin lesions in pet rabbits after new myxomatosis and rabbit
By Selleri, Paolo et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2014·Clinica per Animali Esotici, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cutaneous lesions in pet rabbits following subcutaneous administration of a novel bivalent vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease.
- Species:
- rabbit
Plain-English summary
Four pet rabbits developed skin problems, including crusty lesions on their ears, noses, and other areas, about ten days after receiving a new vaccine designed to protect against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease. A veterinary examination revealed severe skin damage and the presence of the myxoma virus in their skin samples. While it's unclear if the vaccine directly caused these issues, pet owners should be aware that some rabbits may experience skin lesions following vaccination. If your rabbit shows similar symptoms after vaccination, it's best to consult your veterinarian for advice.
People also search for: rabbit vaccine side effects · rabbit skin problems after vaccination · myxomatosis vaccine for rabbits
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A novel bivalent vaccine to protect against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease is commercially available for pet rabbits. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the appearance of cutaneous lesions arising in pet rabbits positive for myxoma virus (MV) by RT-PCR evaluation shortly after vaccination. ANIMALS: Four pet rabbits presenting with papular, crusting skin lesions ~10 days after vaccination. METHODS: Histological evaluation of formalin-fixed skin biopsies obtained from lesional skin (case 1). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) evaluation of paraffin-embedded tissue from skin biopsies (case 1) and crusts obtained from the lesion surface (cases 2-4) for myxoma virus are reported as cycle threshold (Ct ) values. RESULTS: Lesions affecting the ear pinna, dorsal aspect of the nose, vulva and/or conjunctiva are reported. Histopathological findings included severe ulcerative, necrotizing dermatitis and intralesional cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in myxoma cells. DNA was amplified from all the paraffin-embedded skin biopsies (Ct  = 34-35) and crusts (Ct  = 20-24). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although a wild virus challenge cannot be definitively excluded, veterinarians and pet-owners should be aware that cutaneous lesions have been observed after vaccination with this novel vaccine in low numbers of rabbits.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25227274/