🐰 Rabbit Vaccinations & Health Checks
Protect Your Pet from Calici Virus
Pittwater Animal Hospital is alerting all rabbit owners that local councils routinely release calicivirus in this area to control wild rabbits. This virus is deadly to pet rabbits and spreads easily through flies, grass, and dust.
🛑 Unvaccinated rabbits are at serious risk. We strongly recommend updating your rabbit’s vaccination.
💉 Improved Filavac Vaccine for Rabbits
We use the Filavac vaccine, which protects against both major strains of rabbit calicivirus:
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RHDV1 (original strain)
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RHDV2 (emerged in Sydney in 2014)
One injection. Once a year. Complete protection.
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🐇 Suitable for rabbits over 10 weeks of age
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🛡️ Lasts 12 months
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✅ Safe, effective, and essential for your rabbit’s survival
🔗 Book your Rabbit Vaccination
⚠️# What Is Rabbit Calicivirus?
Rabbit calicivirus (also known as RHDV) is a highly contagious and often fatal virus used to control feral rabbit populations.
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Originally released over 20 years ago
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RHDV2 now present in Sydney
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Spread by flies, wind-blown dust, shoes, hay, and grass
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Causes sudden death in unprotected rabbits
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No treatment—only prevention through vaccination
🩺 What’s Included in Your Rabbit’s Health Check
Every vaccination visit includes a comprehensive check-up with one of our experienced vets. This ensures we catch early signs of illness, age-related changes, and behavioural shifts that can emerge year to year.
Your rabbit’s visit may include:
✔️ Annual Filavac booster
✔️ Full physical exam – skin, ears, eyes, limbs, weight, heart
✔️ Dental health check (very important for rabbits!)
✔️ Discussion of diet, housing, grooming, and general care
✔️ Medication review and adjustment if needed
✔️ Behavioural advice
✔️ Fine needle aspirates of any lumps (if required)
✔️ Grooming tips and assistance
📝 Top Tip: Bring a list of questions or concerns so we can cover everything during your visit.
✂️ Desexing Services for Rabbits
We also offer desexing procedures for both male and female rabbits. This helps reduce unwanted behaviours and supports long-term health—particularly by preventing uterine cancer in female rabbits.
