RHDV-2 Vaccine Information & Low-Cost Clinics in Los Angeles + Orange County

Let's talk about keeping your rabbit safe from RHDV-2.

Navigating rabbit health information can feel overwhelming - especially with something as serious as RHDV-2. Here's what you need to know: this virus is deadly, it spreads quickly and silently, and vaccination is the only reliable protection. We host low-cost clinics twice a year because we want that protection to be accessible to every rabbit family in Southern California.

Why we're talking about this: As of May 1, 2024, all rabbits using Bun Chia Burrow services must be RHDV-2 vaccinated (or provide a veterinarian exemption note). This protects your rabbit, our resident buns (Marshmallow, Macaron, and Chocolatte), and every rabbit in our care.

What is RHDV-2?

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2 (RHDV-2) is a highly contagious, often fatal virus affecting both domestic and wild rabbits - including cottontails and jackrabbits. It emerged in Europe in 2010 and reached the United States in 2018. The original strain (RHDV, first identified in China in 1984) is a different virus - vaccines for RHDV do not protect against RHDV-2.

RHDV-2 is particularly dangerous because it attacks the liver, which is responsible for blood clotting. When the liver fails, rabbits hemorrhage (lose blood) internally — often with no visible warning signs. The virus can survive in the environment for months, even in extreme heat or cold, and is resistant to many common disinfectants.

Onset is fast: rabbits typically fall ill within 3–5 days of exposure and can spread the virus before showing any symptoms.

How does RHDV-2 spread?

RHDV-2 is transmitted through direct contact with infected rabbits or their bodily fluids (urine, feces, saliva, eye secretions), as well as indirect contact via contaminated surfaces, clothing, shoes, insects (including flies), and even predator feces. There is no safe level of exposure - the virus dose required to cause infection is extremely low.

Symptoms of RHDV-2:

• Lethargy or sudden weakness

• Fever (over 104°F)

• Yellowing of the skin, ears, or eyes (jaundice)

• Difficulty standing, tremors, or head tilting upward

• Irregular breathing or heartbeat

• Nosebleeds or blood around the nose/mouth

• Sudden death with no prior visible symptoms

There is no cure. Supportive care (fluids, hand-feeding, and in some cases blood transfusion) may help, but survival rates are low. Rabbits that recover can continue shedding the virus for months.

Prevention

The Medgene vaccine is the only USDA-approved RHDV-2 vaccine currently available in the United States. It requires two doses spaced 21–28 days apart, followed by annual boosters. Studies have shown it provides strong protection against lethal infection even 6 months after the initial series.

Beyond vaccination, biosecurity matters:

• Remove outdoor shoes before entering your home

• Change clothes after visiting locations where other rabbits have been (shelters, pet stores, fairgrounds)

• Do not feed foraged greens from outdoor areas with known RHDV-2 activity

• Report dead wild rabbits to local wildlife officials

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling rabbits

If your rabbit cannot be vaccinated due to age or illness, consult your vet about exemption protocols and minimize all outdoor exposure.

For More Information:
What to Expect at Your Rabbit’s First RHDV-2 Vaccine Appointment

Article Sources:

• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease — USDA APHIS

• A Review on Detection and Diagnosis of RHDV — PMC

• RHDV-2 Map Application — USDA APHIS

• Kanfer's Answers — RHDV-2