All the rabbits at Little Farm at Tilden Regional Park contracted a viral disease and died last month.
Seven Dutch rabbits on the farm became infected with myxomatosis and became ill and died. Berkeleyside reported. Myxomatosis is a virus transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes and fleas, and can be transmitted by wild rabbits.
A Little Farm rabbit named Jack Rabbit became ill in early November and was euthanized, after which a biopsy confirmed he had the disease, Berkeleyside reported.
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The remaining six rabbits were quarantined, but by the end of November there were no more rabbits at Little Farm. The few who were not infected with the disease were euthanized as a protective measure because they were more likely to be infected.
“It was really tough,” said Jenna Cassel, the park’s naturalist. mercury news. “It’s really heartbreaking when you lose an animal. They have names. We get really attached to them.”
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, myxomatosis, which was discovered in California, is 99% fatal in domestic rabbits. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Symptoms of the virus include lethargy and swollen eyes, both of which were observed before Jack Rabbit’s death.
The Mercury News said Little Farm’s rabbits are kept in outdoor enclosures, so the virus could have spread through fleas and mosquitoes. The East Bay Regional Park District did not respond to SFGATE’s request for comment by press time.
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At this time, there is no treatment available to combat myxomatosis in rabbits. A vaccine is available in the UK, but not yet in the US.
Little Farm opened in 1955 as a place for children and their families to learn about farm animals. Animals such as cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens are raised here.
The farm plans to introduce new rabbits and an updated housing system in at least four months, according to the Mercury News.