RAIZO wishes to inform you of the detection of a case of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), type 2, in two unvaccinated pet rabbits in the Montreal region. This case was detected following a report of suspicious deaths from the attending veterinary surgeon. The two rabbits died suddenly two days apart. Only clinical signs of increased respiratory sounds were observed. Before his death, the second rabbit was hospitalised and haematology and biochemistry tests were carried out. These revealed mild anaemia accompanied by hyperbilirubinaemia, mild thrombocytopenia, severe leukopenia with left shift, hypoglycaemia, azotemia and a severe increase in liver enzymes (AST over 33,000 U/L and ALT over 7,500 U/L).

Given that all the rabbits affected died and that the owners had no direct or indirect links with rabbit farms, the risk is considered controlled. An epidemiological investigation was carried out by both the CFIA and MAPAQ, but no source of contamination could be identified.