RABBIT owners are being urged to make sure their pets are properly inoculated following a suspected outbreak of viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) in Bishop’s Castle.

There is no treatment for VHD, and it usually leads to a slow and painful death for rabbits. The animals often show no outward signs of illness but those that survive can spread the disease.

Rae Todd, of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), said: “All pet rabbits should be given annual inoculations, but this suspected outbreak gives added urgency to the situation.”

For more information on VHD or myxomatosis, visit www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk. The RWAF can also point you in the direction of rabbit-friendly vet practices; to find those near you, email hq@Rabbitwelfare.co.uk