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Also known as '''''Rabbit Pox
Also known as '''''Rabbit Pox
[[Image:Myxomatosis_rabbit_logo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A European Rabbit afflicted by Myxomatosis Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Chris Bayley, 2007]]
[[Image:Myxomatosis_rabbit_logo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A European Rabbit afflicted by Myxomatosis Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Chris Bayley, 2007]]
*'''A specialised form''' is seen in Angoras which have been vaccinated and then depilated: Lesions can be found on the torso only in animals with waning immunity after vaccination and are considered to be a type IV hypersensitivity reaction (Ganiere et al 1990).
*'''A specialised form''' is seen in Angoras which have been vaccinated and then depilated: Lesions can be found on the torso only in animals with waning immunity after vaccination and are considered to be a type IV hypersensitivity reaction (Ganiere et al 1990).
==Transmission==
==Epidemiology==
The disease is transmitted by both direct and indirect means (Okerman 1994), the former principally involving contact with infected wild rabbits; the latter, with arthropod vectors, including fleas, lice and mosquitoes, although (Gaguere 1995) implied that the mosquito is the only vector worth considering.
The disease is transmitted by both direct and indirect means (Okerman 1994), the former principally involving contact with infected wild rabbits; the latter, with arthropod vectors, including fleas, lice and mosquitoes, although (Gaguere 1995) implied that the mosquito is the only vector worth considering. The incubation period of the virus is two to eight days, and the duration of illness is usually from eleven to eighteen days. Pyrexia (42ºC) is a feature of the disease at or around the second day. Death is inevitable and is usually due to secondary infection with ''Pasteurella'' spp (Harkness and Wagner 1989) which is also why some cases seem to respond initially to antibiosis.
==Clinical signs==
==Clinical signs==
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Vaccination and control of insect parasites are the most important means of disease prevention in domestic rabbits. In order to control fleas, wild rabbits should be kept away from pet rabbits and spot-on products may be used. Mosquito control can be achieved using insect repellent strips and fine mesh netting.
Vaccination and control of insect parasites are the most important means of disease prevention in domestic rabbits. In order to control fleas, wild rabbits should be kept away from pet rabbits and spot-on products may be used. Mosquito control can be achieved using insect repellent strips and fine mesh netting. The use of Vapona® strips and Nuvan Top® to prevent fly strike and myxomatosis is recommended (Lawton 1993). Rearguard® (Novartis) has a licensed place in the prevention of fly-strike. Permethrin sprayed on mosquito netting to cover hutches has been recommended.
The myxomatosis vaccine currently used in the UK is a live vaccine containing ''Shope fibroma'' virus (Nobivac Myxo, Intervet). Antibodies made against ''Shope fibroma'' provide cross immunity against myxomatosis. Intradermal vaccination is performed in order to achieve adequate immunity and annual booster vaccination is recommended. Live attenuated vaccines have been used elsewhere in Europe but have been associated with other side effects such as immunosuppression.
The myxomatosis vaccine currently used in the UK is a live vaccine containing ''Shope fibroma'' virus (Nobivac Myxo, Intervet) - Shope's fibroma virus causes fibromatosis, a benign disease of Sylvilagus loridanus, an American lagomorph species. Antibodies made against ''Shope fibroma'' provide cross immunity against myxomatosis for three months. Intradermal vaccination is performed in order to achieve adequate immunity and annual booster vaccination is recommended; the manufacturers advise revaccination every six months in the event of "high risk" exposure. Live attenuated vaccines have been used elsewhere in Europe but have been associated with other side effects such as immunosuppression.
===Note on “Shopes Viruses”===
Shope fibromavirus and Shope Papillomavirus (two distinct viruses) have dermal manifestations but are rare in the UK. Note the vaccine, Nobivac Myxo®; Intervet, contains the Shope Fibroma virus and is used to confer immunity against myxomatosis in rabbits in the UK.
*Shope papillomatosis is manifested mostly on the eyelids and ears as a pedunculated cornified surface over a fleshy central area. Spontaneous outbreaks have been recorded in domestic rabbits. Pedunculated cornified surface overlying a fleshy central area. After manual removal of the lesions, can extend to squamous cell carcinoma. Probably vector-spread (Meredith 2006). Papillomata on eyelids and ears. (Percy and Barthold 1993)
*Shope fibromavirus, the cause of Rabbit (Shope) Fibromatosis, leads to flattened, firm, subcutaneous, freely movable tumours (=/<7cm diameter) on legs and feet sometimes on the muzzle and periorbital and perineal areas, and may persist for several months. In young rabbits metastasis to abdominal bone marrow and abdominal viscera may occur. (Percy and Barthold 1993)
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
In-contact rabbits might not be actually incubating the disease as they might not be infected yet and therefore the vaccine has a better chance of working. If they are already incubating the disease the vaccine won’t work so there is definitely no benefit if clinical signs are established and no point using it as a therapy.
In-contact rabbits might not be actually incubating the disease as they might not be infected yet and therefore the vaccine has a better chance of working. If they are already incubating the disease the vaccine won’t work so there is definitely no benefit if clinical signs are established and no point using it as a therapy.
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28%28title%3A%28%22myxoma+virus%22%29%29%29+OR+%28%28title%3A%28%22myxomatosis%22%29%29%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Myxomatosis publications]
}}
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28%28title%3A%28%22myxoma+virus%22%29%29%29+OR+%28%28title%3A%28%22myxomatosis%22%29%29%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Myxomatosis publications]
==References==
==References==
*Harcourt-Brown, F. (2002) '''Textbook of Rabbit Medicine''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
*Harcourt-Brown, F. (2002) '''Textbook of Rabbit Medicine''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
*Kayne, S. B., Jepson, M. H. (2004) '''Veterinary Pharmacy''' ''Pharmaceutical Press''
*Kayne, S. B., Jepson, M. H. (2004) '''Veterinary Pharmacy''' ''Pharmaceutical Press''
*Ganiere, J.P. et al (1990) Etude clinique et experimentale de la myxomatose du lapin angora: Le Point Vétérinaire 22 (129), 187 to 191
*Guaguere, E. (1995) Dermatoses of Pet Rodents and Rabbits. Procs 2nd European Congress of the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations, Brussels, Belgium, 27-29 October 1995. Pages 203-207
*Harkness, J.E. (????) Rabbit husbandry and medicine in The Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice 17 (5) September 1987 Exotic Pet Medicine Pages 1019 -1044 W B Saunders Co Philadelphia ISSN 0195-5616
*Lawton 1993
*Meredith, A. (2006) Dermatoses in BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery eds Meredith A and Flecknell P, 2nd Edition 2006, published by BSAVA Quedgley Glocs
*Okerman, L. (1994) Diseases of Domestic Rabbits. Blackwell Scien¬tific Publications 2nd Edition
*Percy, D. H. and Barthold, S. W. (1993) Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits. Iowa sate University Press, Ames
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[[Category:Leporipoxviruses]][[Category:Rabbit Viruses]]
[[Category:Leporipoxviruses]][[Category:Rabbit Viruses]]
[[Category:Rabbit Dermatology]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_SophieIgnarski]]