The Southland Times 17/9/98

New Zealand

Deformities Linked to RCD

by John Cutt

DEFORMITIES in rabbits are being linked with the rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD).

Invermay Animal Health Laboratory manager Gray Clark said regional pest services staff had reported seeing rabbits with a range of ear deformities late last spring in Central Otago, Palmerston, mid and north Canterbury and Marlborough, areas where RCD was considered endemic.

The deformities included folded down ears, ears with notches, constrictions, withering, loss of the outer part of the ear, scabs and significant changes to cartilage formation, Mr Clark said.

Similar abnormalities had not been reported in Australia or elsewhere in the world where RCD was present, he said.

"We're not sure why that should be."

Some of the rabbits tested would have been born before the introduction of RCD but had obviously come into contact with the disease.

Funding provided by MAF Policy enabled investigation of the phenomenon to start in March.

Mr Clark said 41 pairs of affected and unaffected rabbits of similar age and gender had been shot and blood tested at Wallaceville Animal Health Laboratory.

The results suggested a strong association with RCD, he said.

Although only one case had been reported during the winter _ from Banks Peninsula, the issue would not have disappeared.

"It's probably being seen but not reported."

While more research was needed to confirm the earlier results, Mr Clark said Invermay was not actively looking for deformed rabbits.

There were no surplus funds at present to enable research work to continue.