RABBIT owners are being warned to protect their bunnies from a deadly disease that's been detected in Cheshire for the first time.

Ian Hopkins, head vet at Holly House Veterinary Surgery in Knutsford has joined forces with Rabbit Rescue North West to issue guidelines to pet owners about a new strain of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD).

The fatal disease is often symptomless and yet much-loved family bunnies can be dead within hours.

Ian said: “We help our clients vaccinate their rabbits against two main diseases, myxomatosis and VHD. There is now a new strain of VHD which has come into the UK and we have evidence of at least one case in Cheshire. We know of at least one more suspected case which we are awaiting lab results for.

“This means we are keen to encourage rabbit owners to remain vigilant and to follow basic hygiene guidelines which will help stop the disease from spreading.

“It is a horrid disease and it is devastating for owners to see their loved pets suffer from it.

“While the current vaccines give some immunity, this new strain is proving largely resistant.

“There is another vaccine which is much more effective but it is currently out of stock because there have been outbreaks all over Europe which has meant the vaccine has been in high demand and UK vets are struggling to get hold of.”

Holly House is part of the independently owned Willows Veterinary Group.

The group has 24 small animal practices, a referral veterinary hospital, two equine centres and a five-office farm practice which are located across Cheshire and into the Wirral and Staffordshire.

Vets at one of the partner Willows practices revealed tests carried out on a dead rabbit brought in by its owner had found it had VHD and staff at the Willows’ Abbeycroft surgery in Northwich are awaiting lab reports for a second suspected case.

Katy, of Knutsford, who has a six-month-old daughter and four rabbits of her own, said: “We don’t want people to panic because we have only heard about a very small number of cases but with at least one confirmed for sure, we would urge people to keep a close eye on their pets and seek veterinary advice if they are worried at all about anything.

“As a rabbit owner myself, I know how worried people must feel so it is important for us to warn them about the dangers of the disease and how to protect their pet as much as possible.”