My gorgeous Benjamin lost his life due to Myxo. I remember when I first saw him with it, and I had to pull his eye lids apart because they were literally glued together with pus. I thought it was conjunctivitis, so we took him to the vet, and they told us that he had to be euthanised immediately. We weren't allowed to keep his remains for burial, we weren't even allowed the cat crate and towel that he was transported in. It all had to be destroyed due to the disease being so contagious. I have nothing to remember him by, other than a few photos, and the disease that killed him.
The vaccine is illegal in Australia, due to our cruel, warped government's paranoia. They think that the vaccinated domestic rabbits will breed an immunity against myxo into the wild population. Sorry government, but they wild rabbits have already started doing that themselves. They could always require that all rabbits who wish to be vaccinated against the disease are desexed. All pet rabbits should be desexed anyway.
The best way to avoid your rabbit getting Myxo is to keep it strictly indoors only, and kill any mosquitoes that get in the house. You'd be surprised how well rabbits can adapt to living indoors, they're so much like cats. They're very clean, and are naturally litter trained, but accidents will be less likely if your rabbit is desexed. They do chew, but like cats scratching furniture, they just need to be taught what can be chewed, and what can't. They love to play with toys, and love stealing your snacks (Henry used to climb up your arms to steal your popcorn!). They're seriously good indoor pets, just as good as any cat or dog. And trust me, there's nothing better than being woken up at 6am on a Sunday morning by a cute little bunny sitting on your face!
