VETS are warning rabbit owners to get their pets vaccinated against a killer disease sweeping through Castle Point.

Veterinary surgeries across the borough have been inundated with rabbits suffering from myxomatosis. The fatal disease for rabbits is spread by mosquitoes and flies which thrive in the hot and wet weather which has been present this summer.

Symptoms include lumps around the head and genitals which can lead to acute conjunctivitis and possibly blindness.

Staff at Medivet in Furtherwick Road, Canvey , said the surgery had seen 40 cases of myxomatosis in the past three weeks alone, having not had a single case all year.

Amy Allgood, head nurse, said: “In the last few weeks the disease has spread so quickly, we are now seeing cases on a daily basis, which is really concerning.

“It is a truly horrible illness and unfortunately there is no real treatment. Usually rabbits succumb to the disease in as little as 48 hours. “Owners should clean cages regularly and treat them with flea sprays. “Most importantly, I would urge all pet owners to get their rabbits vaccinated as it is the only way to protect them.”

One concerned pet owner from Canvey, who did not wish to be named, said: “I lost two rabbits last week to myxomatosis and my friend lost three rabbits to the same illness.

“Speaking to my vets, they said they have never seen so many cases in the area. “Rabbit owners should be warned and get their animals vaccinated.”

Staff at Benfleet Veterinary Surgery, in Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, and Spinnakers Veterinary Surgery, in High Road, Benfleet, also confirmed they had seen an increase in the number of cases since the start of August.

Infected rabbits become listless, lose appetite and can develop a fever.

Sophie Brown, veterinarian at Spinnakers, said: “If a rabbit displays any symptoms of myxomatosis, they should contact a vet immediately as it is a medical emergency. “Rabbits are very susceptible to the disease and also viral haemorrhagic disease, so I would urge owners to get their pets immunised.”