Wantirna woman’s pet bunnies died from suspected rabbit calicivirus

A Wantirna woman whose pet rabbits died suddenly is warning owners to be careful of a fast-acting virus.

Wantirna resident Amanda Morgan is devastated after the death of her beloved pet bunnies. Picture: Steve Tanner

A Wantirna woman whose pet bunnies died suddenly is warning owners to be careful of a fast-acting virus.

Amanda Morgan was left devastated after her bunnies Angel, Quin and Harley died from suspected rabbit calicivirus.

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On the morning of January 17, Ms Morgan noticed Harley wasn’t moving.

“I picked her up and normally when you pick up rabbits they move quite a bit but she wasn’t making a fuss,” Ms Morgan said.

Ms Morgan made a vet appointment for 10.15am but Harley died in her arms at 9am. Later that day she noticed Quin wasn’t acting like herself and rushed her to Knox Veterinary Clinic but she died during the consultation.

Ms Morgan had her third rabbit Angel vaccinated against the virus but she died several days later.

Harley.

Angel.

Quin.

Ms Morgan said she kept her bunnies indoors and believed they would be safe from the virus but discovered it could be spread through bedding, hay and food including grass.

“Their deaths were was just so quick,” Ms Morgan said. “It was just horrifying.

“I just loved them, I miss them every day.”

She urged owners to get their bunnies vaccinated against the virus.

Dr Corrie Pinkster, vet at Knox Veterinary Clinic, said although autopsy and lab tests were needed to confirm rabbit calicivirus, she strongly suspected it was the cause of the rabbits’ deaths.

Dr Pinkster said the virus was introduced to Australia in 1996 to help control wild rabbit populations.

“There is no treatment for it, once a rabbit is sick they almost always die from it,” Dr Pinkster said.

Knox vet Dr Corrie Pinkster strongly suspects Ms Morgan’s rabbits died from calicivirus. Picture: Jason Sammon

“Symptoms include being lethargic and not wanting to eat as much, they can also have seizures and bleeding from the mouth or nostrils.

“You could come home and find your bunny dead, after it was fine when you left in the morning.”

She said rabbits could be vaccinated against the virus from four-weeks-old. Adult rabbits should be vaccinated every six months.

The Melbourne Rabbit Clinic owner and head vet Narelle Walter said confirmation a rabbit had the virus required an autopsy and testing of a liver sample for exposure to a strain of calicivirus.

“Suspicious autopsy signs such as bleeding in the abdomen without this testing are unfortunately not sufficient for a conclusive diagnosis and can be caused by other things,” Dr Walter said.

The Melbourne Rabbit Clinic owner and head vet Narelle Walter. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“Unfortunately there are many causes of sudden death in rabbits, and not all sudden deaths can be attributed to strains of calicivirus.

“If the virus is present it is usually fatal, but most sudden deaths are caused by other hidden illnesses, temperature stress or other issues.”

She said the clinic had not had any confirmed cases of the virus since 2016.

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