Myxomatosis

[tom604]

hi all , just a short question about myxy, i have just come back from a place that has a few rabbits on it , in one area i noticed that the rabbits had the early stage of myxy the cysts around the eyes(small but there) but the other areas the rabbits showed no sign at all

the question is,,is there anything that shows that the rabbit has myxy before the eye cysts ?

i kept the "clean" rabbits for dog food and left the myxy rabbits, i don't think it can spread to dogs, foxes ect ,,just dont like the look of them

[on_one_wheel]

They sure do look unappetizing, I've never noticed any other early signs oter than the syst around the eyes.... according to Dr Google, lumps and puffyness around the head, eyes and genitals is the first sign before pneumonia and other secondary diseases occur.

[tom604]

thank for that,,i will just go with the eyes it could be taken the wrong way if i start fondling dead rabbits genitalia

[Korkt]

i kept the "clean" rabbits for dog food and left the myxy rabbits, i don't think it can spread to dogs, foxes ect ,,just dont like the look of them

I'm no virologist, but no. It doesn't.

It's been proven pretty safe for other animals. They've been using it in Australia since the 1930's.

[VICHunter]

It works pretty fast.

There is some natural resistance and immunity in the rabbit population so it varies. Susceptible rabbits usually die in 2-3 days, resistant ones can last 2 weeks. Overall it's pretty quick.

Very short period to have it but not show signs.

If you find a rabbit that looks good, probably is good.

2c

[joojoobeans]

it could be taken the wrong way if i start fondling dead rabbits genitalia

Lorgar has a soft spot for wasps so you're not the only weirdo

[Jack V]

As far as I was taught if a Rabbit looks listless and don't run like the others , or appears confused that can be the early signs of Myxo .

I hunted rabbits for the family to eat when I was a kid in the Dorrigo mountains and the local farmers told me that. So if any looked slow or confused or had obvious eye symptoms I left them.

It's not Scientific but a good rule of thumb .

[Oldbloke]

As far as I was taught if a Rabbit looks listless and don't run like the others , or appears confused that can be the early signs of Myxo .

Correct, a farmer where I shoot always says: "don't waste lead on the slow ones"

[Aussier]

Around the eyes is usually a pretty good indicator.

Having said that, if they appear to be in good health but by some chance you got one that was infected, it wouldn't transfer to other species anyway.

And an hour at 200c always works magic on any bugs.

[Jack V]

Yeah the rule of thumb is over cook everything wild .

[Die Judicii]

It works pretty fast.

There is some natural resistance and immunity in the rabbit population so it varies. Susceptible rabbits usually die in 2-3 days, resistant ones can last 2 weeks. Overall it's pretty quick.

Very short period to have it but not show signs.

If you find a rabbit that looks good, probably is good.

2c

I cant really get my head around this,,,,,,,

You get the do gooders and the greenies that make so much noise about how cruel it is to shoot something.

Yet I've never heard a peep out of them about how cruel Myxie is to rabbits.

In areas where they develop some resistance to it, it really is quite cruel.

They die a slow and malingering death, and the actual cause of death is in those cases ,,, starvation and dehydration on top of the other infections etc..

I really wouldn't say "overall its pretty quick"

[VICHunter]

Quick is a relative term I guess.

The point I was trying to convey to Tom was that given the "short" amount of time required to kill, if not at least show symptoms, if you come across a rabbit who appears healthy then more than likely they are.

I think it's accurate to say 3 days - 2 weeks is "quick" in the context of a pathological solution. Compared to a bullet though it's obviously agonizingly slow.

I hear your point about the two options and agree. Anyone who says shooting is a cruel solution but advocates the use of myxomatosis is a fool. Anyone who's against shooting them but has no opinion on myxomatosis is more likely pursuing an anti-gun agenda than an actual animal treatment one.

As for it's continued use, I'm not advocating or condoning it. I don't think one can argue it hasn't been successful in the past. Especially in it's initial introduction. I have no illusions about the nature of the disease or the effect it has on the rabbits being anything that vaguely resumes humane though. Give me a bullet any day.

Given the resistances and immunities in populations now though there's definitely reason to pursue other options.

If we're talking about discontinuing it though what are the other options for now? What would rabbit populations be without it? What problems will that bring? I don't know that I've got a better solution that will be more effective in addressing all that to offer as a replacement for the discontinuation of myxomatosis now.

[tom604]

thanks fellas, that's pretty much what i thought,"looks good,is good" no point arguing about getting rid of myxy its here to stay just like the calicxi virus. pity they cant get one to work on cane toads

[VICHunter]

No arguing.

I'm sure Die and I can carry on a civil conversation on the subject

[sooey]

pity they cant get one to work on cane toads

They have one.

Pirelli make them.

[Jack V]

Same with 1080 it's ok to use that but shooting is cruel. The anti gun lobby is not about saving animals from cruelty it's all about disarming the population .

[Oldbloke]

It is very rare for viruses or bacteria to jump inter species. Here are the only ones I have heard of doing that Rabies, Hendra, Ebola and 2 I hadn't heard of Marburg & Nipah,

[Norton]

2 I hadn't heard of Marburg & Nipah,

Henipavirus (Nipah) is pretty exclusive to QLD afaik.

Not one to worry about down your way.

Don't know the other.

[Bourt]

The anti gun lobby is not about saving animals from cruelty it's all about disarming the population .

Yep.

Just gotta dress it up in clothes the public will get behind.

Saving the animals, and thinking of the children.

[trekin]

It is very rare for viruses or bacteria to jump inter species. Here are the only ones I have heard of doing that Rabies, Hendra, Ebola and 2 I hadn't heard of Marburg & Nipah,

Swine flu and Avian flu jump to mind.
I'm sure the good folks of Marburg, 2008 winner of the title of Friendliest Town in Queensland would be happy to be referred to as a virus

[Die Judicii]

No arguing.

I'm sure Die and I can carry on a civil conversation on the subject

Yeah matey,,,,,,,, Duelling pistols at dawn.

Actually, I wasn't implying one way or the other as to discontinuing myxy.
Simply saying that it's not a pleasant death, and the stupid greenies condone it.

In saying so, I wonder how many greenies have ventured forth to see how they (rabbits) die from myxy ???

[Oldbloke]

Well, thats 6 out of millions. (Might be a few more we dont know about) Rare as rocking horse s**t. Lol

[on_one_wheel]

It is very rare for viruses or bacteria to jump inter species. Here are the only ones I have heard of doing that Rabies, Hendra, Ebola and 2 I hadn't heard of Marburg & Nipah,

Just thought of another zoonotic desease, TB.

[Warrigul]

It is very rare for viruses or bacteria to jump inter species. Here are the only ones I have heard of doing that Rabies, Hendra, Ebola and 2 I hadn't heard of Marburg & Nipah,

Bird flu, swine flu.

[Turkle]

Yeah matey,,,,,,,, Duelling pistols at dawn.

gentlemens_duel-gif.gif (2.32 MiB) Viewed 6961 times

(Hope this picture works Might take a few seconds to get going.)

[VICHunter]

In saying so, I wonder how many greenies have ventured forth to see how they (rabbits) die from myxy ???

99% of them have no f***ing idea I'm sure.

[Bourt]

Only 99%? You're being generous

[Die Judicii]

Hey there Turkle,
Absolutely love the cartoon,

To start the old process, didn't one of them slap the opponent on the cheek with a leather glove ?????

[Turkle]

Hey there Turkle,
Absolutely love the cartoon,

It's a goodun

[Rossi]

To start the old process, didn't one of them slap the opponent on the cheek with a leather glove ?????

Sir, you have insulted my honor!

I demand satisfaction!