Pets in the Classroom is an educational grant program that provides financial support to teachers to purchase and maintain small animals in the classroom. The program was established by the Pet Care Trust to provide children with an opportunity to interact with pets – an experience that can help to shape their lives for years to come. Although the current environment does not foster an “in the classroom” experience we recognize the responsibility that goes into owning a classroom pet, especially during these unprecedented times.

A new virus that affects ONLY rabbits has led the Pet Care Trust to make the unanimous decision to postpone suggesting rabbits in the classroom. We will continue to support our past grant recipients that own rabbits through our sustaining grant, but will not be issuing grants to help with the purchase of rabbits at this time. 

The Pet Care Trust organization wanted to show our support and offer guidance for our rabbit pet parents and educators that may or may not have heard of the emergence of a new virus in 2020 that affects only rabbits. The first verified cases in the United States of highly contagious rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) that causes sudden death in rabbits was found in rabbits in New Mexico late February 2020. The development has been followed by more bad news from neighboring states as Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Texas have all confirmed cases both in wild and domestic populations.

About RHDV2:

Rabbits can contract the virus through contact with infected rabbits or with other animals or materials — such as food, water, bedding, and vehicles — that have been in contact with infected animals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a very low dose, possibly as little as a few viral particles, is enough to cause infection. The virus is highly stable, especially in organic materials, and can remain viable for months in varied temperatures and over distances, enabling it to be spread by biting insects. Although the emergence of this disease comes at the heightened time during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike the novel coronavirus, RHDV2 is not zoonotic and has no known impact on human health.

The time from infection to the first signs of the disease may be up to nine days. Affected rabbits may develop a fever and die within 36 hours. Infected rabbits may appear dull and be reluctant to eat; have congested membranes around the eyes; show signs of nervousness, incoordination or excitement; and/or make paddling movements. They may have trouble breathing. Upon death, they may have a blood-stained, frothy nasal discharge. Treatment is generally limited to supportive care, with infected rabbits isolated from all other animals, but mortality rates, unfortunately, range from 5-70%.”

Vaccines exist for RHD but are not approved for commercial use (some clinics, specifically in outbreak areas, have been given special approval to use the vaccine) in the United States or Canada. Absent an easily accessible vaccine, the best way to protect rabbits is with enhanced biosecurity practices, such as not sharing equipment with other rabbit owners; and disinfecting all equipment, such as waterers and feeders, that come into contact with rabbits. It is because of the lack of proper supply of vaccines, high mortality rate, and uncertainty of viral distribution, that the Pet Care Trust has made the unanimous decision to postpone suggesting rabbits in the classroom for the 2020-2021 school year. As an organization, we will be staying close to the situation as it evolves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What are the symptoms of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)?
A. Symptoms are unfortunately not necessarily specific for this virus but includes; loss of appetite, lethargy, high fever, seizures, jaundice, bleeding, difficulty breathing, or sudden death.

Q. How is RHDV spread?
A. The virus is unfortunately highly contagious and can be spread by:

• Contact of a rabbit with inanimate objects contaminated by the virus (clothing, shoes, water bottles, outdoor huts, lawns, etc.).
• Direct contact of a rabbit with an infected rabbit or the urine/feces of an infected rabbit.
• Contact with rabbit products such as fur, meat, or wool from infected rabbits.
• Insects (including flies, fleas, and mosquitoes), birds, rodents, and other pets (dogs/cats) are known to spread the virus by acting as indirect hosts or fomites.
• Humans can spread the virus to their rabbits if they’ve been in contact with infected rabbits or in contact with objects contaminated by the virus.

Q. What should I do if I suspect my rabbit may have it, or if my rabbit died suddenly?
A. It is important to establish a relationship with a veterinarian who is comfortable treating rabbits in your area to help provide guidance and offer evaluation. You can search for one using the “Find an AEMV Vet” feature on the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians’ website – www.aemv.org. Any sudden rabbit death is suspicious and should be reported to your veterinarian as a possible case of RHDV.

Q. What can I do to make sure my rabbit stays safe?
A. Aside from annual physical examinations with your rabbit’s veterinarian these next steps can be taken to prevent your rabbit’s potential exposure to the virus:

• Keep your rabbit indoors at all times. No outdoor playtime!
• No playtime with other rabbits from outside your home.
• Change your clothes and wash them twice after contact with other rabbits.Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling rabbits.
• Use disinfectants known to kill the virus:
  • accelerated hydrogen peroxide (Prevail, Rescue wipes or solution, and Peroxigard)
  • sodium hypochlorite, household bleach (10-minute contact time with a 1:10 dilution = 1.5 cups of bleach (12oz) in 1 gallon of water)
• Know the source of your rabbit’s hay and feed sources
• Do not feed foraged plants, grasses, or tree branches.
• Quarantine any new rabbit away from any other rabbits for at least 14 days.
• Keep dogs on-leash outside so they cannot come in direct contact with wild rabbits (alive or dead) and wash their paws before going inside. Block dog access to the area where your rabbit lives/exercises.
• Keep cats indoors to prevent the virus from getting inside.
• Use veterinary-approved monthly flea treatments for rabbits, cats, and dogs. DO NOT USE ANY OVER-THE-COUNTER PRODUCTS ON YOUR RABBIT UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN.
• Do not go near any dead rabbits in the wild. Contact your State Wildlife Officials if seen.
• Contact your veterinarian to ask about vaccination availability.

Q. I have a rabbit as a classroom pet. Should I take it to school?
A. Dr. Greg Costanzo, DMV strongly recommends that you leave your rabbits at home due to the uncertainty of a number of students’ whereabouts and potential for infection. In addition, he recommends that you speak directly with your veterinarian about the specific risk in your area & institute a plan with your veterinarian.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the virus, please do not hesitate to contact us at tel:443-921-2825 X 120 or X 106.