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Richmond’s SPCA adoption centre reports rabbit death

Adoption centre closes for cleaning as it awaits test results for cause of death
rabbit
Owners are being asked to take precautions with their pet rabbits following several confirmed cases of a highly infectious virus showing up in Delta.

A rabbit was found deceased at Richmond’s SPCA adoption centre Monday morning, following confirmed cases of the deadly rabbit hemorrhagic disease in the city. The rabbit had been healthy the previous day and has been sent for testing to determine the cause of its death.

An SPCA spokesperson told the Richmond News that it’s not confirmed whether or not the rabbit died from RHD, but the adoption centre is taking extra precautions to clean the facility just in case.

The centre already had biosecurity measures in place, as well as visitor restrictions.

To date, RHD has been confirmed in Nanaimo, Comox, Courtenay, Parksville, Richmond and on Annacis Island. The BC SPCA has temporarily suspended intake of rabbits into all island and Lower Mainland shelters and will be vaccinating all shelter and foster rabbits in these areas next week.

The B.C. government announced Monday afternoon that the first batch of vaccines to protect pet rabbits from RHD has arrived from Europe, with a second batch expected to arrive in May.

RHD is an extremely infectious and lethal disease that causes internal bleeding and organ damage in rabbits.

Most affected rabbits die suddenly, but can show signs of listlessness, lack of co-ordination, changes in behaviour, or trouble breathing before death.

There is often bleeding from the nose at the time of death. Once infected, signs of illness occur quickly, usually within one to nine days.

Pet owners should monitor their rabbits daily for signs of illness, and contact their vet immediately with any concerns.

Currently, the Richmond SPCA adoption centre is closed until cleaning is complete. 

For more information on RHD, visit the SPCA’s website

With files from Alan Campbell