singapore rabbits

rhdv vaccination availability in singapore

updated 19 May 2026

for most rabbit owners in Singapore, the daily health worries tend to center on dental problems, GI stasis, or keeping the hutch cool in the relentless heat. but there is a disease that sits at a different level of severity entirely. rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2, known as RHDV2, kills rabbits rapidly, often with minimal warning. it is now confirmed across Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia-Pacific, and Singapore’s position as a major international cargo hub means the virus could arrive via imported animals, plant material, or contaminated equipment at any time. the tropical climate here, with humidity between 70 and 90 percent and temperatures at 28 to 32°C year-round, keeps insect vectors active every single month. understanding your vaccination options in Singapore is not optional preparation. it is the responsible baseline for every rabbit owner.

what is RHDV2 and why it kills so fast

RHDV2 is a calicivirus that attacks the liver and other vital organs. it spreads with alarming efficiency, through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, insects, and airborne particles. the virus is resilient and can survive on dried hay, clothing, and equipment for weeks. flies and mosquitoes, both abundant year-round in Singapore, are known mechanical vectors.

what makes RHDV2 especially dangerous is its speed. some rabbits die within 12 to 36 hours of the first visible signs of illness. others die suddenly with no prior warning at all. a rabbit that was eating normally in the morning may be gone by evening.

there is no effective antiviral treatment. once a rabbit is infected and symptomatic, a vet can offer supportive care, but survival rates are very poor. vaccination before exposure is the only reliable protection available.

is RHDV2 a real risk in Singapore

as of 2026, Singapore’s Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) has not reported a confirmed RHDV2 outbreak in the local rabbit population. that is encouraging, but it does not justify complacency.

the absence of a confirmed outbreak can reflect both genuine absence of the virus and the practical limits of surveillance for rabbit-specific pathogens. RHDV2 has been confirmed in multiple countries across Asia-Pacific in recent years. Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world. the virus can arrive on plant material, fresh produce, imported rabbit supplies, or contaminated equipment, with no visible sign.

the risk for an exclusively indoor HDB rabbit with no outdoor access is meaningfully lower than for rabbits with balcony or garden time. but “lower” is not zero, particularly when you consider that insects enter through open windows, and that you yourself may visit other rabbit owners, pet shops, or rabbit cafes and return home without changing clothes.

vaccination availability in Singapore as of 2026

this is the most practically important question for SG owners, and the answer requires some nuance. as of 2026, RHDV2 vaccines are not commercially registered with AVS for routine sale through standard veterinary supply chains in Singapore. the two vaccines most widely used in Europe, Filavac VHD+Myxo and ERAVAC, have strong safety and efficacy records internationally, but they are not on the standard local commercial register.

however, some exotic vet clinics in Singapore have obtained RHDV2 vaccines through special import permits under AVS regulations. this is entirely legal and within the regulatory framework. it does mean, though, that availability is inconsistent. one clinic may have stock available this month; the same clinic may be waiting several months for the next import cycle to replenish supply.

the practical implication for you as an owner: RHDV2 vaccination is possible in Singapore, but you need to find the right vet. general dog-and-cat clinics will almost certainly not carry it. you need to call an exotic animal specialist and ask specifically whether they stock RHDV2 vaccination for rabbits.

as of 2026, where the vaccine is available through a specialist, the typical cost ranges from SGD 80 to SGD 200 per visit including consultation. pricing varies with import costs and current availability, so verify current fees directly with the clinic before booking.

how the vaccine works

where your vet can source an RHDV2 vaccine, the injection is given subcutaneously, meaning under the skin, typically at the scruff of the neck or the flank. it is a brief, low-stress procedure for most rabbits.

the typical vaccination protocol, following European guidelines that SG exotic vets generally reference, involves a primary injection from around 10 weeks of age. some vaccine formulations require a booster approximately 4 weeks after the primary dose; others follow a different schedule. annual boosters are then recommended to maintain immunity over time.

the specific protocol depends on which vaccine your vet is sourcing and the manufacturer’s current guidelines. some formulations cover both classic RHDV1 and RHDV2 in a single injection; others cover RHDV2 only. ask your vet explicitly which strains the vaccine they are using actually covers.

rabbits that are unwell, pregnant, very young, or significantly underweight may not be suitable for immediate vaccination. your vet will complete a brief health assessment before proceeding.

talking to your vet about RHDV vaccination

because availability is patchy across SG clinics, your first contact should happen before you book a formal appointment. call the clinic and ask two specific questions: do they see rabbits as exotic patients, and do they currently carry RHDV2 vaccination?

if the answer to both is yes, book promptly. import stock can sell out between cycles, and there is sometimes a short wait between booking and when the vaccine is physically in the clinic if a shipment is pending.

bring your rabbit’s health history to the appointment if you have one. mention any recent illness, weight changes, or current medications. if your rabbit has never had a full exotic health check, this visit is also a good opportunity to establish a baseline.

if your current clinic does not carry the vaccine, ask whether they can refer you to a colleague who does. the exotic vet community in Singapore is small and collegial. clinic-to-clinic referrals for specialist vaccines do happen.

reducing risk while you arrange vaccination

while you are locating a vet or waiting for stock to become available, there are practical steps to lower your rabbit’s exposure risk in the meantime.

screen your windows. Singapore’s heat means most households keep windows open throughout the day, but mesh screens significantly reduce fly and mosquito entry. rooms kept cool with AC and closed windows are lower risk in this specific respect, which is one more reason to prioritize climate control for your rabbit.

practice consistent hand hygiene before and after handling your rabbit, especially if you have been to a pet shop, rabbit cafe, or another rabbit owner’s home. changing your outer clothing is a reasonable additional precaution.

quarantine any new rabbit for at least 4 weeks before introducing it to your existing animals. wash all fresh vegetables and leafy greens before feeding.

if your rabbit shows any sudden change in behavior, loss of appetite, labored breathing, seizures, or unexplained collapse, go to an exotic vet immediately. do not wait to see if things improve on their own. with RHDV2, delay costs lives.

what owners often get wrong

assuming “no local outbreak” means the vaccine can wait. by the time an outbreak is officially confirmed, it is already too late for the animals that have died. vaccination works only before exposure, not after. waiting for a local case to appear before acting is exactly backwards.

expecting RHDV2 vaccination at any vet clinic. walking into a general dog-and-cat clinic and asking for rabbit vaccination will typically end with a polite no. the vaccine requires specialist sourcing through import permits. call ahead, ask specifically, and be prepared to check across several clinics before you find one with current stock.

thinking HDB indoor living is full protection. flies and mosquitoes enter every home in Singapore’s climate, regardless of floor level. you carry trace material on shoes and clothing every time you come home. indoor-only status reduces risk meaningfully. it does not eliminate it.

delaying once you find a clinic with stock. some owners locate an exotic vet that carries the vaccine and then postpone booking, assuming they can call back next month. import supply to Singapore is intermittent. if a clinic has stock available now, book the appointment now. the gap between import cycles can stretch to several months.

community-sourced information here is not veterinary advice. for any health concern see a licensed SG exotic vet.

community-sourced information, not veterinary advice. for medical issues, see a licensed SG exotic vet — start with our vet directory.

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