singapore rabbits

vaccine schedule for rabbits in singapore

updated 19 May 2026

in Singapore, rabbit healthcare exists in an awkward gap between routine pet medicine and specialist exotic care. knowledgeable exotic vets are here, but far fewer than you’d find for dogs or cats, and appointments fill up fast. layer in the climate, 28 to 32°C year-round with 70 to 90% humidity, and you have a rabbit already working hard to stay comfortable. add an infectious disease with a high fatality rate and no visible warning signs, and the case for prevention gets urgent. vaccination is one of those topics that doesn’t come up until it needs to. this guide walks you through what’s known, what’s available in Singapore, and what to ask your exotic vet before a problem develops.

do rabbits need vaccines in Singapore?

unlike dogs, rabbits in Singapore have no mandatory vaccination requirement. the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) sets rules for animal imports and certain diseases, but companion rabbits do not fall under any compulsory vaccine regime. many owners interpret this as vaccines being irrelevant for rabbits. that’s a gap worth closing.

the question isn’t whether the law requires it. the question is whether the risk is real enough to warrant protection. for rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), the answer is increasingly yes. RHDV2, the more dangerous strain of the virus, has spread from Europe to Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North America over the past decade. it moves through trade routes, contaminated equipment, and sometimes on human clothing and shoes.

Singapore imports rabbits and rabbit supplies from multiple countries. the risk may be lower than in Europe, but it is not zero. knowing your options and making an informed choice is better than finding out too late.

what is rabbit haemorrhagic disease?

rabbit haemorrhagic disease is caused by a calicivirus. it attacks the liver and other organs, causing severe internal bleeding. it spreads easily, can survive outside a host for weeks on surfaces and hay, and has no cure once symptoms appear.

there are two main strains. RHDV1 has been around since the 1980s and is well understood. RHDV2 emerged in France around 2010 and is now the dominant concern globally. RHDV2 differs from RHDV1 in important ways. it can affect rabbits of all ages, including kits under eight weeks old, whereas RHDV1 largely spared the very young. it also has a longer incubation window, which makes silent spread more likely before anyone realises something is wrong.

symptoms include sudden lethargy, loss of appetite, high fever, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, bleeding from the nose or mouth. in many cases, rabbits die before owners notice anything is wrong. if you see any of these signs, contact a SG exotic vet immediately. do not wait.

myxomatosis is another disease vaccinated against in the UK. it is spread by insects and causes severe swelling and skin lesions. it is not currently reported as endemic in Singapore, and the vaccine for it is not commonly available here.

which vaccines are available in Singapore?

rabbit vaccination is not standardised across SG clinics. most general veterinary practices, the kind set up for dogs and cats, do not carry rabbit vaccines and may not be trained to administer them correctly. you need an exotic vet.

the vaccines relevant for rabbits globally include:

  • Filavac VHD K C+V: covers both RHDV1 and RHDV2 in a single dose
  • Eravac: covers RHDV2 specifically
  • Cylap: covers RHDV1 only, and does not protect against RHDV2

which of these is stocked in Singapore varies by clinic and changes over time. as of 2026, availability is limited but growing. some exotic vets have begun stocking RHDV2-covering vaccines as global awareness increases.

the only reliable way to find out what’s currently available is to call your exotic vet and ask directly: “do you carry any rabbit vaccines, and which strains do they cover?” if your current clinic doesn’t have any, ask whether they can source one, or seek out another exotic vet.

do not assume a general vet can help with this. the training, the supply chain, and the protocol knowledge are different from standard dog-and-cat medicine.

vaccination schedules depend on the specific product used. general guidance from vaccine manufacturers, subject to your vet’s clinical judgment:

  • primary vaccination can begin from 10 weeks of age
  • a booster is typically recommended one year after the initial dose
  • annual or biannual boosters are then advised, depending on local risk levels and the product used

your SG exotic vet may adjust this based on your rabbit’s age, weight, health history, and lifestyle. a young indoor-only HDB rabbit with no contact with other animals is lower risk than one that boards regularly, attends events, or shares a space with other rabbits from different households.

timing matters. sick rabbits should not be vaccinated. your vet will perform a health check before proceeding. if your rabbit is underweight, has signs of dental disease, or has a gut issue, the vaccine may be deferred. build routine wellness visits into your calendar even when your rabbit seems fine. catching small problems early also means your rabbit is more likely to be healthy enough to vaccinate on schedule.

what to expect during a vaccination visit

your vet will start with a full physical exam. this typically includes checking your rabbit’s teeth, gut sounds, weight, eyes, ears, and skin condition. the exam may catch issues you hadn’t noticed, which is one reason wellness visits have value beyond vaccination alone.

if the rabbit is healthy, the vaccine is administered as a subcutaneous injection, usually at the scruff of the neck or along the back. the injection takes a few seconds. most rabbits tolerate it well. some show mild soreness or lethargy for 24 to 48 hours afterward; this is a normal immune response.

you may be asked to stay at the clinic for 15 to 20 minutes post-injection to watch for any immediate adverse reaction. serious reactions are rare but possible, and clinics are better equipped to respond than you are at home.

as of 2026, a rabbit vaccination appointment at a SG exotic clinic typically costs between SGD 60 and SGD 130, including the consultation fee. some clinics bundle vaccination with a wellness check. prices vary by clinic and by which vaccine is used.

bring any previous health records you have. if this is your first visit to that clinic, bring your rabbit’s purchase or import record if available.

keeping long-term vaccination records

keep a paper or digital record of every vaccination your rabbit receives. note the vaccine brand, batch number, date of administration, and the clinic’s name and contact. this record matters for several reasons.

if you board your rabbit, the facility may ask for proof of vaccination. if you move to a different exotic vet or need emergency care at an unfamiliar clinic, having a record helps the vet make better decisions faster. if there is ever an RHD scare in Singapore, vaccination records will help authorities and vets understand exposure risk across the rabbit community.

some clinics issue a vaccination card or certificate. ask for one if they don’t offer it automatically. a photo of the certificate saved to your phone is usually enough for most purposes.

what owners often get wrong

assuming no legal requirement means no action is needed

Singapore doesn’t require rabbit vaccination. that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. RHDV2 has crossed oceans. one confirmed case in the SG rabbit community could spread quickly through pet boarding, vet waiting rooms, and shared supplies. vaccination is a low-cost layer of protection for a disease that kills within 24 to 36 hours.

going to a general vet instead of an exotic vet

a general vet may mean well but may not stock rabbit vaccines, may not have the knowledge to assess rabbit health before vaccination, or may not know which strain the available vaccine covers. always use an exotic vet for rabbit-specific decisions.

completing the first dose and skipping boosters

a single dose of most rabbit vaccines provides some protection, but not the full protection the schedule is designed to achieve. boosters matter. mark the dates in your calendar and treat them like annual health checks, because that is essentially what they are.

vaccinating a rabbit that is already showing mild symptoms

some owners rush to vaccinate during a community scare when their rabbit is already slightly off. a vaccine given to a sick or immunocompromised rabbit may not produce the intended immune response and can add unnecessary stress. let your vet do the health check first. if in doubt, defer.

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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