Myxomatosis
Learn what the condition is, how it may be detected early, how it is treated or managed, and which breeds or species are linked to it.
Condition snapshot
A concise guide to the condition’s pattern, detection, management and urgency.
Limit spread while seeking adviceSeparate affected animals when practical and obtain veterinary guidance on contacts, cleaning and normal mixing.
This snapshot is a general guide, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. New, severe or worsening signs require veterinary assessment.
About the condition
Myxomatosis is a poxviral disease maintained in Australian wild rabbits and spread mainly by mosquitoes and fleas. Domestic rabbits are highly susceptible, and vaccination against myxomatosis is not legally available in Australia.
Swollen eyelids and genital area, skin nodules, fever, nasal discharge, breathing difficulty and profound weakness develop. Secondary infection and inability to eat are common.
Myxomatosis is caused by myxoma virus and remains endemic in Australian wild rabbits. Mosquitoes and fleas are major vectors, while direct contact and contaminated material can also spread virus. Domestic European rabbits often develop swollen eyelids and genital tissues, skin nodules, fever, nasal discharge and profound weakness; inability to see, breathe or eat leads to secondary bacterial complications and severe suffering. Disease severity varies with viral strain and host resistance, but pet rabbits should be considered highly vulnerable. Myxomatosis does not infect people. Australia does not legally provide a registered myxomatosis vaccine for pet rabbits, making vector exclusion central rather than optional. A rabbit with facial swelling must still be differentiated from dental abscess, bacterial respiratory disease and allergic or traumatic swelling, but suspected myxomatosis requires isolation while that assessment proceeds.
Oedema around the eyes and nose compromises vision, breathing and feeding simultaneously, while skin nodules and genital swelling add pain and secondary infection. Disease severity varies, but Australian domestic rabbits cannot rely on legal vaccination and remain highly vulnerable to vector exposure. A screened enclosure can still fail through an open door, damaged mesh or fleas carried by another household pet. The welfare course, not simply survival time, determines whether continued supportive treatment is reasonable. The virus does not infect people, although hands and equipment may assist spread between rabbits. Warm seasons and local wild-rabbit activity can change vector pressure quickly, requiring repeated inspection of barriers rather than one annual review.
Screening & Early Detection
Use mosquito-proof housing, screens, indoor accommodation at high-risk times, rabbit-safe flea control and removal of standing water. Never rely on repellents not approved for rabbits.
Diagnosis is based on characteristic signs and laboratory confirmation where required. Differential diagnoses include severe bacterial infection and other causes of facial swelling. Ask about mosquito and flea exposure, outdoor housing, wild rabbits, recent moves and disease in nearby rabbits. Examine eyelids, ears, nose, genital region and skin for oedema and nodules while minimising insect access. PCR or histopathology can confirm disease and distinguish it from bacterial or dental conditions. Inspect all in-contact rabbits individually and review flea-control products for rabbit safety. Because no legal vaccine is available in Australia, prevention auditing should include intact insect mesh, indoor housing at high-risk times, standing-water reduction and treatment of household pets that carry fleas.
Suspected myxomatosis requires urgent veterinary assessment and isolation. Inspect insect barriers at dusk and after weather damage and review flea prevention for every compatible household animal. A swollen face is assessed for dental and bacterial disease while the rabbit remains isolated. Photograph nodules and oedema so rapid progression is recognised between examinations.
Treatment & Management
There is no dependable curative treatment and welfare outcome is often poor; euthanasia may be recommended. Supportive treatment requires strict isolation and intensive nursing.
No dependable antiviral cure exists. Intensive supportive care may include fluids, analgesia, assisted nutrition, eye protection, warmth and treatment of documented secondary bacterial infection, but welfare prognosis is often poor. Humane euthanasia is appropriate when breathing, feeding, vision or comfort cannot be maintained. Isolate the rabbit from other rabbits and mosquitoes, use dedicated equipment and dispose of contaminated bedding under veterinary advice. Never import or administer an overseas live myxomatosis vaccine. Prevention relies on insect-proof housing, rabbit-safe flea control, removal of breeding water and prompt investigation of nodular or swollen-eye disease. Continue mosquito exclusion for exposed rabbits because an apparently healthy contact may still be incubating infection.
Supportive care must maintain breathing, eye integrity, hydration, nutrition and pain control without exposing other rabbits or mosquitoes. Documented secondary bacteria may be treated, but antibiotics do not alter myxoma virus. When sight, breathing or feeding cannot be kept comfortable, euthanasia prevents prolonged suffering. Vector exclusion continues for exposed contacts through the incubation period.
Breeds or species affected
Mini Lop
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Dwarf Lop
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Netherland Dwarf
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Dutch Rabbit
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Mini Rex
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Standard Rex
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English Spot
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Flemish Giant
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New Zealand White
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English Angora
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