Vaccine Clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

In partnership with Dr. Sonja Webster-Hills and in accordance with the state veterinarian’s requirements, Dr. Alicia McLaughlin, a veterinarian from the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine (CBEAM) in Bothell, WA, will be offering a vaccine clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) for the San Juan Islands:

• Date:               February 11^th
• Location:          Islands Veterinary Clinic, 850 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250
• Time:               11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Please note that rabbits are not permitted to travel into the quarantine locations to receive the vaccine; they must live within the individual quarantine areas to minimize the risk of the disease spreading further. All San Juan County islands are eligible for this clinic.  There will be strict biosecurity protocols at the clinics to help keep the participating rabbits safe.  Only rabbits that appear healthy on exam will be vaccinated.  Limited numbers of vaccines are currently available. Once supplies run out, if there is a significant amount of interest from rabbit owners in getting additional animals vaccinated, Dr. McLaughlin will petition the state veterinarian’s office to import more vaccines from Europe.

All rabbit owners will have to sign a liability waiver.  Dr. McLaughlin will be maintaining medical records per state veterinarian requirements.  One of CBEAM’s exotic animal technicians will be assisting with documentation and organization throughout the event.  Rabbit owners will be asked to stay in the area for 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered in the event of an immediate anaphylactic vaccine reaction.  Handouts on the vaccine and RHD itself will be available, and Dr. McLaughlin will be happy to answer any questions about the vaccine and RHD during and after the event. 

Prices:

• Households of 3 or less rabbits: A single $30 group exam fee, plus $35.00 per vaccine.
• Households of 4 or more rabbits: A single $100 “breeder” group exam fee, plus $35.00 per vaccine. 

All fees must be paid in advance to reserve the vaccines, and are nonrefundable if cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the event.  Rabbit owners should call CBEAM at 425-486-9000 to leave their deposits over the phone; they must confirm their vaccine clinic location, in addition to providing their contact information and details about the rabbits being vaccinated. This will allow Dr. McLaughlin to create vaccination certificates in advance for proof of vaccination. 

Dr. McLaughlin is also offering vaccine clinics in the other quarantine areas, Whidbey Island and Clallam County, on February 23^rd and February 24^th, respectively. After these clinics are complete, if more vaccines are available, Dr. McLaughlin will be able to offer vaccines to other rabbits outside of the quarantine areas on a limited basis at CBEAM in accordance with the state veterinarian’s requirements. Please contact CBEAM at 425-486-9000 to get on the waiting list if you are interested and do not live in the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, or Clallam County.

Please contact CBEAM at  (425) 486-9000 with any questions.

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