I had booked Cotton and Buttons in for their first vaccination for the calicivirus. I told the vet nurse about the bunnies having selamectin a couple of weeks prior, and she said that it would be fine if the vaccination was after 10 days.

They traveled really well in the car because they love being in their travel box. I use it to transport them around the garden during the day. They look forward to hopping into their “box” because it’s fun.

But as soon as they smelled the vet aromas, and saw the “vet-lady” they shrunk into the teensiest bunnies. Their ears were plastered down to their sides and the highest part of their bodies was the fluffy mow-hawk on the top of their heads.

She checked them over and weighed them, then prepared the vaccinations of Cylap. She found some loose skin on their shoulder and injected it in.

She explained that the vaccination is a course, which means they will need a booster in a month.

The calicivirus is a prevalent problem in Australia. For the past 5 years there have been two strains of the virus, and the second one is worse than the first. The vaccination is only for the first calicivirus, and the booster was made available because farmers who breed meat rabbits needed a quick fix for the virus.

I later found out was not accurate at all. Meat rabbits cannot have the vaccine because it poisons the meat and humans cannot consume it. I have an article on calicivirus, if you want to read it, it’s in the Health area.

She explained that depending on how often Cotton and Buttons are around wild rabbits is how often they will need more boosters (in 6 months or a year depending). After their booster in a month, she said, there should be a new vaccine that covers both calicivirus’ and she will phase out the old vaccine and only use the new one. I would rather have safe bunnies than go through the pain of seeing them suffer in such an awful way.

The vet charged me for a course (rather than just the single shot), because it was cheaper. She said that I could always cancel their appointment in a month if they react to the vaccine. The veterinary clinic will refund my money if I cancel the booster appointment.

As soon as they were in the car on the way home they were happy again and eating the hay.

That night Cotton was a bit feverish and puffing. She was OK and eating, but woozy. Buttons was uncomfortable but happy enough. The vet had said that they will be sick for a few days, just like we are after a jab. I noticed the next morning that their jab sites started to swell up. Poor Buttons was limping a bit with his front leg, because the swelling was a bit large on his side. Cotton was also swelling up a little, but not as much as Buttons.

Cotton’s poops were soft and unusual, but according to the vet, that was normal for after the jab.

In the morning, I phoned the vet to say that they were having reactions to the jabs and the vet told me to make sure they drink a lot of water and keep still for a couple of days.