Central Texas Rabbit Herd Management

04/01/2025

First RHDV case of the spring is in Runnels County near San Angelo. While testing is becoming less common, please remember that RHDV-2 is endemic in TX and will not simply disappear though cases may be reported less frequently due to lack of testing.

News Release, April 1, 2025: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Detected in Runnels County

04/19/2024

“The number and broad geographic distribution of these detections means researchers consider RHDV2 endemic (widespread) in Texas.”

News Release from TPWD confirming Jim Wells County did have confirmed RHDV-2 in wild rabbits.

News Release, April 18, 2024: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Detected in Jim Wells County

04/11/2024

The USDA just performed their first quarter update for 2024. The Jim Wells county wild RHDV-2 case is listed in the update. Please continue to practice biosecurity.

04/05/2024

I have been reporting WILD rabbit RHDV-2 cases from WHISPers for the past two years. For whatever reason, the recent case in Jim Wells county has caused controversy. To settle the debate, I personally called Dr. Sara Wycoff, the Texas Parks and Wildlife State Veterinarian, today to verify the report as accurate. She assured me that the RHDV-2 diagnosis is PCR positive through the Laboratories for Wildlife Disease Diagnostics. She assured me that WHISPers is an accurate and verifiable source that can be trusted to future case reportings.

Furthermore, she discussed with me the typical pattern for wild rabbits in TX. RHDV-2 activity peaks from January to June. In addition to the VERIFIED Jim Wells Co case, several other counties have had die offs consistent with RHDV-2 but were not tested due to a lack of quality carcass to send into the lab. This means that there are very likely more cases than is reported! I have and will only report confirmed and tested cases not the suspected counties impacted. I have no interest in spreading rumors. If you do not find this as a reliable source, please keep scrolling. I am providing this information as a courtesy for folks in TX who wish to be aware of RHDV-2 movement and updates that is more current than the quarterly USDA reporting.

It is important to remember that the Texas Animal Health Commison and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are seperate entities and do not necessarily communicate on every single test in a minor species. They are dealing with a much larger problem with Avian Flu at the moment. I have also been in communication with the TAHC regional director, they were unaware of the case, but they are now and have been provided the information to discuss with Dr. Wycoff.

In summary: Jim Wells County in South Texas is a verified PCR positive for RHDV-2.

04/05/2024

Quick update on how RHDV-2 testing works in the state of Texas.

1) Domestic rabbit cases are handled by the Texas Animal Health Commison and testing is approved after adequate suspicion from the State vet office. Texas A&M does not currently have an exotics department and is not directly involved. TVMDL can facilitate testing through the state vet office if high suspicion on a necropsy performed by them sent by a regular veterinarian.

2) Wild rabbit cases are being tested and monitored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. TPWD will often use the government lab of Laboratories for Wildlife Disease Diagnostics, especially since the western US has been labeled endemic. I have reports of other labs testing domestic cases, but FADDL is still the primary lab for domestic rabbits. TPWD seems to test counties where are moderate to large die off in wild species of rabbits are reported.

3) Many states are no longer actively testing suspected wild cases since the endemic label. Lack of testing does not mean that RHDV-2 does not occurr in a particular area!!

4) The USDA only reports new cases every 3 months. Their map is NOT current.

5) ARBA has lifted restrictions regarding affected areas and lists guidelines instead.

6) Information provided by this page is help rabbit owners/breeders be aware of reported cases of RHDV-2 in the state of Texas for their own personal use. Cases are reported after diagnosis is listed by TPWD on WHISPers or by the TAHC. Many agencies are no longer actively reporting information as RHDV-2 awareness/concern is limited, especially with other more important diseases occurring (Avian Flu). Please respect government officials time regarding these cases.

03/22/2024

First case of RHDV-2 for 2024! It is now in South Texas! Maintain biosecurity and consider vaccination for high value stock in impacted areas.

RHDV-2 is continuing to slowly spread across the state.

01/26/2024

I’m excited to be giving 3 hours of lectures tomorrow at OK VMA over rabbit exams, infectious disease and herd management!

01/13/2024

Phillip is with me at VMX this week to help spread the word on RHDV-2 and vaccines! If you are at VMX, stop by the Medgene booth and say hi!

10/12/2023

Interesting new diagnostics to help with Chronic rhino-sinusitis (snuffles)! Swabs do need to be done in an aseptic manner from the sinuses, not just a swab of snot at the tip of the nose. At this time, this company is working with vets to bring new tests to rabbit owners to better understand and treat disease outbreaks.

Is the Nasal Microbiome the Secret to Treating Nasal Infections in Pet Bunnies?

09/22/2023

I’m very excited to be giving 4 hours of lectures to vets and vet techs at Southwest Veterinary Symposium today!

09/08/2023

I will be at Mid-Tex in Belton this weekend. If anyone wants to vaccinate for RHDV-2 before Convention, now is the time to start the first booster.

04/13/2023

RHDV2 has spread to the wild rabbits in east TX with the first case in Angelina County near Lufkin confirmed!