LIVING WITH rhdv2 IN OUR COUNTRY
There are no words to describe the devastation that the 2020 viruses have caused to the rabbit hobby and industry. Between COVID and RHDV2 rabbit activities came to a complete standstill during most of 2020. While the world and specifically drug companies responded to create a vaccine for COVID in record time, the support for a US made RHDV2 vaccine has been slow in developing. The vaccine has been created, tested and used effectively in other parts of the world for a few years. It has been imported into the US since June or so of 2020. The affected states now have thousands of vaccinated rabbits. Neighboring countries (Mexico and Canada) have already developed the vaccine and are currently distributing it.
OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) from the beginning stated on its official Rabbit Hemhorragic Disease Card " In regions where RHDV circulates in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), eradication is not feasible. Instead, this disease is controlled in domesticated rabbits with biosecurity measures including sanitation and disinfection, the maintenance of closed colonies, and vaccination". The impact and spread of the disease in the wild population continues. The RHDV2 affected area now includes 9 states and about one quarter of the area of the lower 48 states in our country. These states have been declared endemic by USDA and OIE.
In reality, RHDV2 is here to stay. We have to learn to live and show with it surrounding us. The only answer is vaccinated rabbits. There are US manufacturers who are proceeding with development, but it still may take many months.
OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) from the beginning stated on its official Rabbit Hemhorragic Disease Card " In regions where RHDV circulates in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), eradication is not feasible. Instead, this disease is controlled in domesticated rabbits with biosecurity measures including sanitation and disinfection, the maintenance of closed colonies, and vaccination". The impact and spread of the disease in the wild population continues. The RHDV2 affected area now includes 9 states and about one quarter of the area of the lower 48 states in our country. These states have been declared endemic by USDA and OIE.
In reality, RHDV2 is here to stay. We have to learn to live and show with it surrounding us. The only answer is vaccinated rabbits. There are US manufacturers who are proceeding with development, but it still may take many months.
OTTERS PASSED
"The AFLs have a new variety and it is called otter (black, blue chocolate, and lilac). Rob and I have been at this for 10 years and there are so many people that helped us - this really was a club effort. Thank you everyone and go otters!"- Paula Grady
The Otter variety is a very successful variety in other breeds due to its spectacular coloration. The appealing color contrast is exotic and dramatic. The American Fuzzy Lop otter variety includes Black Otter, Blue otter, Chocolate Otter and Lilac otter. All colors could also be shown as a broken.
When breeding for Otter start with a solid black, blue or chocolate self and breed to an Otter, which is a dominant Agouti gene. This will give you otter kits. The 'At' otter gene is dominant so if present will always show up. It cannot be hidden. If the otter carrying parent is DOUBLE AtAt you will only get otter babies. If you breed otter into torts you will get 'foxes' or torted otters which will not be a recognized color. The AFLRC is so lucky to have dedicated breeders like Rob and Paula Grady. They have presented and passed for our club the only two varieties to have been added to the original list of colors, the blue tort and now the otter in all four base colors.
When breeding for Otter start with a solid black, blue or chocolate self and breed to an Otter, which is a dominant Agouti gene. This will give you otter kits. The 'At' otter gene is dominant so if present will always show up. It cannot be hidden. If the otter carrying parent is DOUBLE AtAt you will only get otter babies. If you breed otter into torts you will get 'foxes' or torted otters which will not be a recognized color. The AFLRC is so lucky to have dedicated breeders like Rob and Paula Grady. They have presented and passed for our club the only two varieties to have been added to the original list of colors, the blue tort and now the otter in all four base colors.
