January 7, 2002 Update
It's 2002. Do You Know What The Disease Is Doing?
Have you checked for updated material lately? A post on EtherBun, one of the Rabbit health mailing lists, alerted us to some misinformation regarding the diagnosis and symptomology of RHD that is still floating around out there.It had been thought that Rabbits either died really quickly, within 48 hours, or didn't die. Reports from outbreaks have shown that this is not always the case. Some Rabbits live up to two weeks, displaying symptoms that include jaundice, lethargy, weight loss and diarrhea which includes mucous in feces. These sympotms are present in what is now defined as the sub-acute and chronic forms of RHD. The cause of death in these cases is thought to be liver failure.
This information is included on two of our revised pages, Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease and RHD Quick Facts. It is also included in our currently offered Educational Material to be distributed, and on the OIE's, (Office of International Epizooties), site.
Do You Want To Do Something About This?
We have begun a new mailing list for those who want to work on keeping US Rabbits safe from RHD. This is not a list to discuss RHD itself. It is solely for planning action. This seemed a better forum than the chats we held before the holidays. Come give your suggestions, clarify what you can do, and help those already involved.You can subscribe to this list, which is moderated but will not be censored, by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RHDPlanAct/join or send an email to
RHDPlanAct-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Through me the dumb shall speak, Till the deaf world's ear be made to hear
The wrongs of the wordless weak.
And I am my brother's keeper;
And I will fight his fight;
And speak the word for the beast and bird
Till the world sets things right."
--Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1850-1919
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