Myxomatosis is a disease which infects only rabbits. It is caused by the myxoma virus. First observed in Uruguay in the early 1900s, it was deliberately introduced into Australia in an attempt to control rabbit infestation there.
First field-tested for population control in 1938, a full-scale release was performed in 1950. It was devastatingly effective, reducing the estimated rabbit population from 600 million to 100 million in two years.
Myxomatosis was deliberately introduced in France in 1952. By 1954, 90% of the wild rabbits in France were dead. It reached the UK in 1953, apparently without human action. By 1955, about 95% of rabbits in the UK were dead.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Myxomatosis
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4 Comments:
That is not a picture of a rabbit infected with myxomatosis. Epistaxis is not a clinical sign.
probably just a rabbit that got the shit beat out of it.
If you find a rabbit suffering with this disease it will probably have its eyes stuck together, will have signs of bloating, will be slow and disorientated. Please put it out of its misery (it will die in 10-14 days anyway, slowly and painfully.
How? Drown it in warm water. RSPCA or vet may help
Contain body in plastic bag and bury it to stop the spread of the disease.
Fleas and ticks will be buried too then
My thoughts are misguided and a little naive
I twitch and I salivate
Like with myxamatosis
...dedicated to the fine young rabbits fallen to this unmerciful disease
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