Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Not Just in NRW – What You Should Know

The so-called hare plague is currently making headlines in North Rhine-Westphalia – but this is not just a regional problem. What lies behind it, how does a dog come into contact with it at all, and what can you do concretely?

Current situation in North Rhine-Westphalia

Spring 2025: Confirmed cases are appearing in wild hares in the Aachen metropolitan region, the Unna district and the Ruhr area. The State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV) reports rising numbers. Hunters and authorities are registering more dead game than usual.

This is relevant for dogs – even though they contract the disease less frequently than wildlife. The bacterium Francisella tularensis can still be transmitted: through contact with dead hares or simply through a tick bite. Veterinary offices therefore clearly advise against letting dogs run free in affected areas. This is not a recommendation to take lightly.

What exactly is the hare plague?

Scientifically, it is called tularemia. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis – a pathogen that thrives in moist environments and can survive for months in soil, water or on animal carcasses. The common name is not coincidental: wild hares, rabbits and rodents are the most frequent carriers.

Important to know: Tularemia is a zoonosis – it can be transmitted from animals to humans. This makes it more than just an animal welfare issue.

The disease is widespread mainly in North America, Northern Europe and parts of Asia. In Germany, hunters, foresters and farmers know it as a recurring threat – even though it is not reported daily here.

Routes of transmission

There are several ways the bacterium can be transmitted – some obvious, some insidious:

• Direct contact: Anyone who touches an infected animal risks infection. The bacterium enters through tiny skin injuries – a small scratch is enough.
• Insect bites: Ticks, mosquitoes and horseflies can transmit the pathogen after feeding on an infected animal. In the warm season, this is one of the most common routes.
• Contaminated water or meat: Stream water in the wild can contain the bacterium. Rarely, but possible, transmission can also occur through undercooked meat from an infected animal.
• Inhalation: Dust particles from the environment of an infected carcass – for example when mowing a meadow – can carry the pathogen. This route is rare, but insidious because it is hardly noticeable.

Symptoms of hare plague in dogs

Dogs become infected less frequently than wildlife – but it happens. When sniffing a dead hare, through a tick bite, or if the dog drinks from a contaminated puddle. If a dog has actually become infected, the following symptoms may occur:

• Fever: An elevated body temperature (over 39.5 °C) is often the first sign. The dog seems lethargic and withdraws.
• Loss of appetite: Sudden loss of interest in food or treats.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Nodes, particularly on the neck or under the armpits, can enlarge and become sensitive.
• Breathing problems: Panting or coughing if the infection reaches the lungs.
• Diarrhoea or vomiting: Digestive problems sometimes occur, especially in more severe cases.
• Lameness: If the bacteria infects the joints, the dog might limp or show signs of pain.

The symptoms often creep in slowly. A dog does not always show everything at once immediately. Without treatment – usually antibiotics from the vet – it can become dangerous. Fatal courses in dogs have been documented rarely so far, but that is no reason to wait.

Symptoms in humans: A comparison for orientation

In humans, the signs partly resemble those in dogs, but are often more pronounced:

• Fever and chills: Sudden onset, often with headaches and limb pain.
• Skin rash or ulcers: Particularly in infections via the skin (e.g. through a tick bite).
• Swollen lymph nodes: Similar to dogs, but often more painful.
• Breathing difficulties: In inhalation-type tularemia, which has a more severe course.

If the dog shows symptoms and the owner also falls ill shortly afterwards – this could indicate a common route of infection. Then quick action is required on both sides.

What to do if hare plague is suspected?

Fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes – if your dog shows something like this, please do not wait. Go to the vet.

In Germany, rabbit fever is a notifiable animal disease under the Ordinance on Notifiable Animal Diseases. This means that the vet is obliged to report a confirmed case – or even just a justified suspicion – to the competent veterinary office. You do not need to take this into your own hands. Your task is to take the suspicion seriously and seek professional help.

Early antibiotic treatment (e.g. with tetracycline) is crucial. This protects your dog – and at the same time helps to contain the spread.

Tip: Make a note of where your dog has been – forest areas with lots of wildlife, certain streams, suspicious spots. This information helps the vet and, if necessary, the authorities in their assessment.

Treatment & Prevention

The good news: With targeted measures, the risk can be significantly reduced – and if something does happen, the disease is well treatable.

Prevention

• Tick protection: Spot-ons, collars, tablets – use suitable tick repellents regularly, especially during the warmer months. Ticks are a main vector.
• Avoid fallen game: If you see a dead hare or other wild animal by the roadside, put your dog on a lead. A carcass may contain the bacterium – the risk is simply unnecessary.
• Bring your own water: Do not let your dog drink from streams or puddles in wildlife areas. Sounds trivial, but it is often forgotten – especially on longer walks.
• Check after the outing: Check for ticks, look at wounds or scratches. A small injury that has come into contact with infected material can become a problem.
• Keep hunting dogs under special observation: Those who retrieve or hunt have a higher risk of contact. Wear gloves when handling game, then wash your dog thoroughly – not an excessive effort if you know what is at stake.

Treatment

Fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes – these are the warning signs. Do not wait for it to resolve on its own:

• Go to the vet immediately: Examination, blood sample, detection of Francisella tularensis. The vet decides what comes next.
• Antibiotics: Tetracycline or doxycycline are the standard treatments – they usually work quickly if started early enough. Treatment duration is usually 10 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the course.
• Rest and light diet: Keep your dog calm, provide fresh water and easily digestible food. The vet will give you precise instructions – follow them.
• Notification runs automatically: In the event of a confirmed diagnosis, the vet will report to the veterinary office. You do not need to worry about this – but it is good to know the procedure.

In short: Do not wait. Fatal courses are rare in dogs – but unnecessary suffering is not an acceptable outcome when treatment works. Acting early gets your dog back on its feet faster.