APHIS Gives Recommendations Regarding The Sale Of Rabbits
Shared by Corinne Fayo Corrine's Website - ranger18@capital.net
Coalition Founding Member, Corinne Fayo recently contacted APHIS regarding the sale of Rabbits after the Outbreak. Below is the letter she sent and the response from APHISHi,
I've been asked to host an internet chat session tomorrow night and the topic will be RCD and pet sales. I was wondering what information or guidelines you guys may have to pass onto breeders who sell directly to pet owners and those selling to pet stores to prevent outbreaks of RCD. And especially in this current Iowa case, should sales be stopped in Iowa or elsewhere? How are the pet stores being notified of the outbreak and the ramifications for the future? What should breeders and stores do if they face an outbreak? Anything you could send me would be appreciated.
Thank You
Corinne Fayo
Bucky's Bunny Barn
Dear Ms. Fayo,
APHIS, Veterinary Services appreciates any help you and others in the rabbit industry can give us in providing information to rabbit owners about rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD).
I have attempted to answer your questions below. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bischoff, D.V.M.
Technical Writer/Editor
USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services
4700 River Road, Unit 41
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
301-734-8073
1) Info or guidelines to pass on to breeders who sell directly to pet owners and those selling to pet stores to prevent outbreaks of RCD.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services does not have regulatory authority of rabbits because they are not considered to be livestock. We have compiled basic information about Rabbit Calicivirus which is available from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service web site under Animal Emergency Information and under Hot Issues. The url for the site is www.aphis.usda.gov The information also is available by calling 301-734-8073 or 1-800-940-6524.
Biosecurity is of utmost importance in preventing introduction of this disease into a herd. Steps to help prevent introduction of the disease into a rabbitry are listed in the APHIS Rabbit Calicivirus Factsheet (available at the website given above).
2) Considering the Iowa case, should sales be stopped in Iowa or elsewhere? Individual states, not the USDA, have regulatory authority of rabbits in this situation. The State of Iowa has exercised its regulatory authority to contain the outbreak at one site. Twenty-five of twenty-seven rabbits died; the remaining two were euthanized and then incinerated by the State. There have been no introductions of rabbits onto this site in the last two years. August 1999 was the last time rabbits left the farm and returned. In January 2000, six rabbits, all healthy and greater than 2 months old, were sold. There are no known premises with rabbits in the near vicinity. The owner is very conscientious about taking steps to prevent spread. The State of Iowa, with federal assistance, has conducted an extensive investigation; however, the source of this isolated outbreak has not been identified. Veterinarians in the area were contacted and have not reported any other cases of sick/dying rabbits. The investigation will continue to attempt to identify the source of this infection.
3) How are the pet stores being notified of the outbreak and the ramifications for the future? USDA is not notifying pet stores directly. State APHIS offices have been notified of the situation and have been encouraged to work with the State veterinarians to further disseminate information in each state. We appreciate any assistance you and others in the rabbit industry can offer in further dissemination of the information on the APHIS website.
4) What should breeders and stores do if they face an outbreak? If signs are consistent with RCD, contact the State veterinarian. Please refer to the APHIS Rabbit Calicivirus Disease Factsheet for details about clinical signs. Predominantly, young adult and adult rabbits die suddenly within 6 to 24 hours of the onset of fever with few clinical signs. Fever may be as high as 105°F but often is not detected until rabbits show terminal clinical signs. The death rate for RCD ranges from 50 to 100 percent.
Before We Get To Excited
The following sounds encouraging, "State APHIS offices have been notified of the situation and have been encouraged to work with the State veterinarians to further disseminate information in each state."Before we start thinking our work is going to be done for us, please note that Coalition member diane of The Sanctuary spoke with an Animal Control Facility nearby the sight of the Outbreak on April 13, 2000. The Shelter Director had no knowledge of RHD. And had received no notices. And was eager for information from the Coalition.
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