RHDV2 in Rabbits: Signs of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious and rapidly fatal calicivirus affecting domestic and wild rabbits. Unlike the original RHDV1, RHDV2 kills rabbits of all ages — including kits under eight weeks — and can survive in the environment for months. Vaccination is the only reliable protection, and any sudden death or bleeding from the nose or mouth in a rabbit warrants emergency evaluation.

Last reviewed: June 2026

What Is RHDV2 and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2), also called RHD2 or Lagovirus europaeus GI.2, is a calicivirus that causes disseminated intravascular coagulation and massive hepatic necrosis in infected rabbits, leading to death in most cases within 12–72 hours of first visible signs — or, in the peracute form, with no warning signs at all. The virus emerged in France in 2010 and has since spread across Europe, Australia, and North America, with active outbreaks ongoing in the United States, Canada, and Australia as of mid-2026.

RHDV2 is particularly alarming for several reasons compared to its predecessor:

• It affects rabbits of all ages, including kits under eight weeks (which were relatively protected against RHDV1)
• It also affects European hares and other Lepus species, giving it a large wild reservoir
• It is extraordinarily stable in the environment — surviving on contaminated hay, clothing, shoes, insects, and birds for months
• Mortality in unvaccinated populations ranges from 70–100%

As described in Quesenberry & Carpenter's Ferrets, Rabbits & Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, the hepatic necrosis and coagulopathy caused by RHDV2 are pathologically similar to RHDV1 but the wider host range and environmental stability make eradication substantially more difficult.

Abrantes et al., 2012, Vet Research characterized the emergence and genetic divergence of RHDV2 from RHDV1 and documented the extended host range that makes wildlife management of this virus significantly more challenging than its predecessor.

How Does RHDV2 Spread?

Understanding transmission is critical for protecting pet rabbits.

Direct routes:

• Contact with an infected rabbit (live or recently dead)
• Bodily fluids — feces, urine, nasal secretions of infected animals

Indirect routes (most critical for pet rabbit owners):

• Contaminated hay or grass — hay sourced from endemic areas or cut where wild rabbits roam; this is a well-documented exposure route for indoor pet rabbits
• Insects — flies, fleas, and mosquitoes can carry and transmit the virus mechanically
• Birds and rodents — can carry virus on feet or feathers between locations
• Contaminated clothing and shoes — owners returning from areas with known wild rabbit activity or attending rabbit shows can bring virus home
• Shared equipment — water bowls, cages, and bedding from infected animals

Neimanis et al., 2018, Emerging Infectious Diseases documented the rapid geographic spread of RHDV2 and confirmed the role of both direct rabbit contact and environmental fomite contamination in transmission, with the virus remaining infectious in contaminated pelts and tissues for extended periods.

Signs of RHDV2 Infection in Rabbits

The challenge with RHDV2 is that many rabbits die so rapidly that owners never observe meaningful illness. There are three clinical presentations:

Peracute form (most common):

• Sudden death with no preceding signs of illness — the rabbit appears normal in the evening and is found dead the following morning
• The body may still feel warm
• No obvious external injuries

Acute form:

• Lethargy and loss of appetite for hours before collapse
• Fever (>40°C / 104°F) early in the illness; may drop to subnormal by the terminal stage
• Neurological signs — sudden seizures, paddling movements, opisthotonus (head arched back), loss of balance
• Respiratory distress — rapid, labored breathing; open-mouth breathing in the final stages
• Bloody discharge from the nose or mouth — caused by the severe coagulopathy (DIC) disrupting normal clotting
• Cyanotic mucous membranes in terminal stages

Subacute / chronic form (less common, seen in partial immunity):

• Weight loss, anorexia, lethargy lasting days to weeks
• Jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin, gums, and eyes) from liver damage
• Some rabbits survive the acute phase but develop chronic liver disease

As described in Mitchell & Tully's Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, any rabbit showing acute neurological deterioration, bleeding from orifices, or sudden unexplained death in a region where RHDV2 is present should be considered suspect — owner and veterinarian reporting is critical for disease surveillance and containment.

Dalton et al., 2012, JVIM analyzed clinical outcomes in rabbits with hemorrhagic disease and confirmed the high case fatality rate and variable incubation period of 1–3 days, underscoring the rapid disease course that limits treatment opportunities.

Diagnosis

Definitive RHDV2 diagnosis in living rabbits requires laboratory testing.

• Whole blood or nasal swab PCR — the most sensitive test for active infection; submitting samples to a state veterinary laboratory or USDA-approved facility is essential; most private practice labs do not run this test
• Serology (antibody testing) — detects prior exposure and recovery; useful in subacute survivors
• Necropsy (post-mortem) — liver histopathology showing acute hepatic necrosis and immunohistochemistry for RHDV2 antigen provides definitive confirmation in deceased rabbits; this is the most commonly used diagnostic pathway given the peracute presentation
• Differential diagnosis — other causes of sudden rabbit death include cardiovascular events, severe GI stasis, heat stroke, toxin ingestion, and traumatic injury; RHDV2 is distinguished by the characteristic hepatic lesions and positive PCR/IHC

Reporting suspect cases to the state veterinarian is legally required in many US states and is important for disease tracking regardless of legal requirements.

Treatment and Supportive Care

There is no specific antiviral treatment for RHDV2. Supportive care in the acute form rarely succeeds given the speed of disease progression, but includes:

• Intravenous fluid therapy to maintain perfusion
• Fresh frozen plasma or whole blood transfusion to address coagulopathy
• Hepatoprotectants (SAMe, milk thistle preparations) in subacute cases
• Nutritional support

The focus for RHDV2 must be on prevention rather than treatment.

Vaccination: The Only Reliable Protection

AEMV Pet Care Guides, 2024 emphasizes that vaccination is the cornerstone of RHDV2 prevention in domestic rabbits.

Vaccine availability by region:

• United States and Canada — the European vaccine FILAVAC VHD K C+V (Filavaccines) and Eravac are available through veterinary import for use under USDA low-pathway import conditions; availability varies by state and practice
• Australia — CYLAP RCD (Zoetis) is conditionally registered; protocols are updated by state agriculture departments
• UK and Europe — multiple licensed vaccines are available through standard veterinary channels

Vaccination protocols (where vaccine is available):

• Primary course: 2 doses 3–4 weeks apart for previously unvaccinated rabbits
• Annual booster — required to maintain immunity; some protocols recommend 6-month boosters in high-risk areas or during active outbreaks

Additional prevention measures:

• Do not collect grass or hay from areas where wild rabbits are present
• Change clothing and shoes before handling pet rabbits after outdoor activities
• Use fly and insect control around rabbit enclosures (fly screens, insect-repellent safe for rabbits)
• Quarantine new rabbits for 3 weeks before introducing them to resident rabbits

When to See a Vet

Call your vet today if:

• Your rabbit appears lethargic or is not eating and lives in or near an area with known RHDV2 activity
• Your rabbit is unvaccinated and you have had recent contact with wild rabbits, attended a rabbit show, or brought in new hay
• You find a wild rabbit dead near your property — this is a sentinel event for local RHDV2 circulation

Go to the ER immediately if:

• Your rabbit is having seizures, paddling, or showing neurological signs — this is a potential RHDV2 emergency
• Your rabbit has blood or bloody discharge coming from the nose or mouth
• Your rabbit is collapsed, has pale or blue gums, or is breathing with effort
• You found your rabbit unexpectedly dead — a necropsy can provide a diagnosis and help protect other rabbits in your household

Frequently Asked Questions

Can RHDV2 affect pet indoor rabbits? Yes — RHDV2 can reach indoor pet rabbits through indirect exposure. The most documented routes for indoor rabbits include contaminated hay (cut where wild rabbits graze), insects (flies and mosquitoes entering through windows or doors), and virus carried on owners' clothing or shoes after outdoor contact with wild rabbits. Vaccination is recommended for all domestic rabbits regardless of whether they go outdoors.

How quickly does RHDV2 kill rabbits? In the peracute form, rabbits can die within 12–36 hours of infection with no preceding visible signs — owners often find the rabbit dead with no warning. In the acute form, visible signs such as lethargy and fever precede death by hours to a day. The extremely rapid course is one of the features that distinguishes RHDV2 from most other rabbit infections.

Is RHDV2 contagious to other animals or humans? RHDV2 infects domestic rabbits and European hares. It does not infect dogs, cats, or humans. However, dogs, cats, birds, and rodents can carry the virus mechanically on their bodies or feet and transport it to rabbit enclosures, which is why controlling animal access to rabbit areas is part of biosecurity management.

How is RHDV2 different from RHDV1? The original RHDV1 emerged in the 1980s and mainly killed rabbits over 8 weeks old; RHDV2 emerged in 2010 and kills rabbits of all ages including young kits. RHDV2 also has a broader wildlife host range, including European hares, and is more environmentally stable. Vaccines developed for RHDV1 do not provide reliable cross-protection against RHDV2; specific RHDV2 or combination vaccines are required.

How much does RHDV2 vaccination cost? Because RHDV2 vaccines are not federally licensed in the US and must be imported or obtained through special channels, costs vary widely. Veterinary exam plus vaccination typically runs $100–200 depending on the practice and whether the vaccine must be specially ordered. Annual boosters are required to maintain immunity. Given that RHDV2 is nearly universally fatal in unvaccinated rabbits, vaccination represents the most cost-effective intervention available.

What should I do if I find a dead wild rabbit near my home? Do not handle the carcass with bare hands — wear disposable gloves. Contact your state wildlife agency or state veterinarian's office to report the finding and inquire about testing. If you have pet rabbits, disinfect your shoes with dilute bleach (1:10 dilution) before entering the rabbit area, and contact your exotic vet to discuss whether vaccination or other precautions are recommended given local outbreak activity.

Can my rabbit survive RHDV2 if it gets infected? Survival is rare without vaccination. Rabbits that have received a properly timed vaccine course may be protected or may experience a milder form of disease. In unvaccinated rabbits, case fatality rates of 70–100% are reported. Subacute survivors develop serum antibodies that confer some immunity, but relying on natural infection for immunity is not a viable strategy given the mortality risk.

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