by Stephen Waite

A vet says an outbreak of a fatal disease in domestic pets which is usually associated with wild rabbits is the worst she has experienced.

Sharon Alston, (pictured) a veterinary surgeon at Wellpets in Milton Regis, said myxomatosis was claiming an unusually high number of victims.

"I was there four days last week and saw 10 or 11 cases and we had to put down seven or eight of those bunnies.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen 10 in one week with myxomatosis and I’ve been doing this job a considerable number of years."

"You get the odd one from the fringes of town but these were from all over the place.

"The ones we’re seeing are really suffering and need to be put down.

"People are bringing them in because they’re realising animals are ill but by then, most of the time, it’s too late."

Miss Alston, who has been a vet for a decade and was a veterinary nurse before that, said mosquitoes were likely to have caused the spread of the disease, which usually shows as lumps or puffiness around the head.

"The disease can be spread by direct contact, such as infected rabbits that come into your garden," she continued.

"Or if you take your dog for a walk, it can pick up fleas from wild rabbits which can also spread the infection."

Rabbit owners have been warned to take action to protect their pets.

Miss Alston suggested physical things such as mosquito nets and traps to stop mozzies getting to rabbits, as well as fly repellants such as Xenex Ultra and Advantage flea treatment.

Vaccination, she added, could help fight the disease but was no guarantee of survival. "Vaccination has previously only given strong protection for six months and then wained, but this year has seen the launch of a new vaccine that offers combined protection against myxi and VHD viral haemorrhagic disease, and is licensed for a year’s immunity.

"Vaccination just gives your rabbit the chance to develop an army of cells that are pretrained to fight the disease, so all the precautions should be taken."