Myxomatosis, also known as 'Myxi' for short, is a virus that affects Rabbits and Hares.

Rabbits and Hares are infected either by a biting insect or by the passing of the virus from animal to animal contact.

Key signs that a Rabbit has Myxomatosis are:

• Puffy Eyes
  
• Swollen Genitals (although not always visible)
  
• Swellings around the face
  
• Laboured/congested breathing
  
• White/clear discharge from the eyes
  

Often, the chances of the animal surviving the virus are very small, due to the fact that the animal is already suffering from the virus before any symptoms are shown.

It is not just wild Rabbits that are susceptible to the virus; domestic Rabbits are also at risk from infection, if they are left outside and un-vaccinated.

Usually, if the virus is left untreated in an infected animal, death soon occurs between 11-18 days after the initial infection.

I the wild, many Rabbits suffer to the virus, as many are still unprotected to the virus due to the level of immunity. However, some wild Rabbits have been reported to survive the virus in thew wild, showing that some Rabbits have deveoped an immunity to the virus through the generations.

If you find a wild Rabbit that you believe is infected with Myxomatosis, then take the animal to a Vet immmediately. Often the only solution to the animals suffering is to euthanase the animal. However, for some Rabbits that have been idetified early in the process, many supportive treatments csan be offered which can soemtimes prove successful in defeating the virus.

NOTE: Only Vets can prescribe the druugs required to offer supportive treatments to an infected animal, and many Vets prefer to euthanase the animal instead of provisding treatment. Therefore, it is purely at the discretion of the Vet whether to persist and try to treat the animal, or to use euthanasia.