His symptoms may mimic other conditions rabbits can suffer from such as respiratory diseases, dental concerns or a poorly ventilated hutch. CM23 2HA This medicine then becomes vaporized and the affected individual breathes in the fine mist containing the drugs. X-rays and other imaging tools may be utilized as well to determine if there are any other possible symptoms of the bacteria. Your vet may recommend that your rabbit has its tear duct(s) flushed with an antibiotic solution. These bunny patients may require months of treatment and require much patience on the part of the owner.. If your rabbit is suffering from the snuffles, you may notice him develop watery eyes, a runny nose and sneezing often. Due to this bacterium being so highly contagious, it is easy for rabbits to spread the infection to one another. Radiographs can also distinguish between pneumonia and other causes of labored breathing like heart disease and cancer. Diarrhea can be very serious in a rabbit. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved, Moistened forelimbs from rubbing the eyes and nose, Cytology (microscopic evaluation of cells), DNA probe-based test (PCR) on swabs from the eyes or respiratory tract, DNA probe-based test (PCR) on swabs from affected tissues, Flushing of affected areas with sterile saline. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your bunny does not improve quickly. 2022, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Please make sure the veterinarian you visit is familiar with antibiotics that are safe for use in rabbits.. Worried about the cost of Snuffles Pasteurellosis treatment? Foreign bodies, e.g. Your rabbit may need to be sedated for this procedure. Or perhaps you may be able to forage some, but make sure you collect fresh dandelion in an area where no toxic sprays have been used. Rabbits are very prone to stress which can delay healing. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Physical examinations should be a routine part of your pre-purchase or initial well pet health exam. If this infection is left untreated it can result in abscesses, blindness, and can travel to your rabbits ears, eyes, reproductive organs and other organs. Snuffles is a difficult disease to cure and treatment may need to be continued for several months before the condition improves. Humans that handle infected rabbits should wash their hands and clothes before handling healthy rabbits. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. This is a serious and life-threatening condition that needs emergency attention by your vet. Your rabbits eyes may be swabbed to collect some of the bacteria from them. This test is called a culture and sensitivity and it will help your vet prescribe the most effective antibiotic for your rabbit. With severe sneezing and nasal discharge, a human nebulizer can be used to provide relief for the nasal passages. The veterinarian may want to know if your rabbit has been around other animals who appeared to be sick or have similar symptoms. Try completely changing your litter to see if alleviates your rabbits symptoms. The upper respiratory tract involves the head, sinuses, the nasal passages and the ear canal. 9.00am 11am (Sat) Eye preparations usually contain one of the above listed antibiotics. Fungal infection may also affect the nasal cavity. Generally, treatment includes: Keep infected rabbits in isolation during treatment. Safe antibiotics include: enrofloxacin (Baytril), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), orbifloxacin (Orbax), trimethoprim/sulfa combinations (Sulfatrim or Bactrim or Septra), chloramphenicol, tetracycline (Panmycin), injectable penicillin (Flocillin or BenzaPen), metronidazole (Flagyl) and injectable gentamicin and amikacin. Your rabbits prognosis is good if the treatment is begun immediately. Steroids must be used with great caution in rabbits because they can suppress the immune response. Offer fresh veggies every day too. Because rabbits are "obligate nasal breathers" (can only breathe in through the nose), sinus infection can lead to labored breathing and "snorting" during respiration. Many breeds of rabbit, especially lop eared breeds have flattened faces and noses (brachycephalic), which, as in similar flat-nosed breeds of cats and dogs, e.g. The snuffles are caused by the bacterium pasteurellosis, which your rabbit may have in his own body or encounters. For example, if a nasal foreign body is removed and the associated infection treated early, the prognosis is good. Keep runny eyes clean by rinsing with a sterile eye preparation like saline or a product dispensed by your veterinarian. Breathing in ammonia is harmful to the entire respiratory tract. Occasionally, a bunny with snuffles will develop a deep ear infection. Rabbits of all ages are susceptible but symptoms often occur in juvenile rabbits, as they become infected from the mother or other bunnies. Foreign bodies, such as hay, hair or grass seeds, are common in rabbits, and can lead to infection and nasal discharge. Stories can be viewed on the Web atvetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Further tests may be requested including bloodwork and samples of any discharge. These ducts can be flushed and unblocked in some rabbits but, in long-standing cases, these ducts can be permanently obstructed. He could have snuffles, a common upper respiratory infection in rabbits. There are very important guidelines as to which antibiotics can be safely used in rabbits. This bacterium can cause diseases to other animals such as chickens and pigs. This often strikes fear into rabbit owners as the bacteria can be responsible for a host of rabbit health related problems (abscesses, respiratory infections, etc), but in truth many rabbits carry the bacteria, often for years/life, without any problems arising. What can I do to prevent my rabbit getting snuffles? 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. If your Peter Rabbit has a runny nose, he may have more than a case of the sniffles. As with most diseases, the prognosis depends on the cause and extent of the disease. Tests may include: Treatment is difficult and may not eradicate the organism. Attempted mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress and is often accompanied by a blue tinge to the lips and nose. As the condition progresses, your rabbit will develop a discharge from its nose which it will wipe away with its front paws. This blood test can lead to interpretation difficulties as it does not always distinguish infected bunnies from non-infected ones. Good care of your rabbit will help reduce the risk of many diseases. Privacy | If your rabbit is often sitting in dirty litter or over a dirty tray, this could be causing irritation because urine contains ammonia. The bacteria involved are usually Pasteurella spp or Staphylococcus spp. There are several causes of nasal discharge, not all of them are infections. This is often the case in rabbits who may be slightly overweight or as the rabbit ages, and is caused by a slightly floppy soft palate. In other non-responsive cases, further testing may be necessary. The cause of these symptoms is often a chronic bacterial infection in the tear ducts and nasal sinuses. They need more hydration during this time to keep the mucous flowing through their potentially swollen sinuses. The first sign of a problem is usually runny eyes with wet, tear-stained fur on the cheeks. According to Heatley, the most common signs to look for relating to snuffles are nasal discharge, head tilting, and skin sores. The same should be said for using any type of litter containing cedar, which is also extremely irritating. Alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems with the treatments. Give this mixture instead of the usual filtered water in a BOWL. Viruses are rarely a cause of nasal discharge. When in doubt, hop down to your veterinarian for a complete checkup. antibiotics for infections or surgery for dental problems. If your rabbit is not moving at all or has not been eating or drinking for more than six to twelve hours (while awake.) What tests will my vet use to investigate nasal discharge? It grows well in North Carolina, so we actually have a whole field of it growing in one of our gardens, giving us access to fresh Echinacea leaves for most of the year. We use this throughout the year to keep many of our animals in top shape. In the terminal stages of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, frothy blood originating from the lungs may discharge from the nose. The antibiotics are usually in the form of drops or cream to be applied directly to the eyes. Monitor your pet's weight daily. Once the rabbit beats their cold, they will have increased immunity for the future. It is important to be vigilant about getting him to the veterinarian quickly if you suspect snuffles. Dental disease can obstruct the nasolacrimal tear duct which drains tears from the eyes down the nose. Keeping his environment clean and free of any contamination will be important to avoid further infection. Why does my rabbit only snore when sleeping? CT scanning can be expensive, but should be covered by pet health insurance if you have it for your rabbit. I have used these probiotics for a wide range of health boosting effects. Pasteurella multocida, as with most bacteria, is contagious to man, but usually requires a skin break such as a bite or a wound to enter the system, says Heatley. Infection within the tear duct can drain into the nasal cavity. Heatley also recommends using probiotics in rabbits, because they help replace the good normal bacteria in the rabbits gut which it needs to live. Is their anything we can do in the meantime to help relieve the symptoms till we can get to the vet? When I treat colds in my rabbits, I avoid jumping to antibiotics as an initial solution and instead use natural remedies to help boost their immune systems so they can get better faster. Enjoy the rabbit you have. If you feel comfortable treating a minor cold at home, I will share some of what Ive learned over my years of raising rabbits in this article. This is typically caused by an infection of his tear ducts or nasal sinuses. I am a homesteader, watercolor painter, doll maker, bunny lover, and cucumber eater. Pasteurella antibody tests. If the tear ducts are severely blocked or scarred it is sometimes impossible to flush them successfully. These symptoms are not life threatening and may be treatable at home with natural remedies that boost a rabbits immune system and help to reduce the symptoms more quickly. Any cage or bedding that has been in contact with infected rabbits should be thoroughly disinfected with a mild bleach solution before using for healthy rabbits. Respiratory disease in rabbits is a common condition most often caused by a bacterial infection. Reference our article What to do if Your Rabbit Stops Eating, to take immediate action and get to a vet ASAP. Nasal discharge may be due to infectious or non-infectious causes. Also do not use cedar shavings for bedding. Using a bowl is important during a cold even if your rabbit usually uses a bottle. For rabbits, it can be used fresh or dried. To ensure a healthy pet rabbit at home, begin with a healthy rabbit and then maintain that good health by avoiding any contact that could infect your rabbit. Only a small amount of commercial rabbit mix should be fed, and this should be one of the high-fibre mixes such as Supremes Russell Rabbit Mix or Burgess Supa Rabbit Excel. Rabbits develop little effective immunity after infection. There are two components to the respiratory tract and both of these can be affected: the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. If you are looking into purchasing a new rabbit for your household, it is best to talk with your breeder or pet store representative about a particular animals health history and breeding conditions. This is simple to do and your veterinarian can help you with the set-up. This can sometimes be caused by the rabbits breed, a foreign body or bacterial infections, and some rabbits may also truly snore! Rabbits with dental disease are prone to developing snuffles. Even with lower respiratory tract disease, coughing is very rare in rabbits. The discharge from the eyes is initially clear (just like normal tears). These medications can be administered for up to a few months to fully treat the infection. Discard porous (wood, natural fibers, etc.) An effective vaccine has not been developed. Problems arise once the rabbits immune system is compromised (often for another health problem), and the immune system is weakened so is no longer able to keep the Pasteurella in-check. Working closely with a rabbit veterinarian is your best protection against disease progression. Their diet should consist primarily of grass hay, such as oat or timothy, but not alfalfa which has too much protein and fat. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of pasteurellosis is important to reduce spread of this bacterium, particularly in multi-rabbit households or rabbitries. To treat clogged tear ducts, your veterinarian may flush his tear ducts in the office and teach you how to do it at home. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and isolation of the organism. Win win. Sub-clinical snuffles (infected rabbits that show no symptoms) can be diagnosed through a physical examination administered by your veterinarian. This system is most often involved. Provide a dust-free environment for your rabbit. But some "normal" rabbits can have antibodies and some infected rabbits may not have developed antibodies at all. Minor cold symptoms can include raspy breathing, sneezing, a slightly runny nose (not enough to mat front paws,) watery eyes with a minor amount of clear discharge, and some head shaking from ear irritation. He's 4.5 years old, Lionhead. He/she will carefully examine your rabbit, including its teeth, and may ask you questions about your rabbits diet and housing. A physical exam will most likely be performed to identify any obvious reasons for his snuffles. It is found in almost all rabbits that show clinical signs, such as a runny nose, skin infections, or a head tilt. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Braggs ACV to a liter of water. Untreated rabbits become very debilitated as the condition progresses. Heatley adds, Snuffles is a very common disease of rabbits and can be found in up to 10 percent of rabbits which appear normal. Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekinese, causes a snoring sound to be heard when the animal breathes. Follow-up may include: Copyright 1999 - 2022. If your rabbit has just started to eat leafy greens, you can add one or two leaves of dandelion at each meal. They can be dosed with approximately one teaspoon a day of dried leaves and stems. Ask your vet or veterinary nurse to show you how to do this if you are unsure. Runny eyes tear ducts can become clogged resulting in even more discharge, Head tilting due to neurological damage, your rabbit may develop a head tilt, Matted fur your rabbit may rub his runny nose and that discharge mats the fur on his paws. Treatment will begin with antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. CB11 4BY This discharge may be seen on and around the nostrils, but as rabbits use their forepaws to clean their nose, the discharge, wet or dried, may also be seen on the fur on the inside of their front legs. Rabbits breathe through their nose, so any nasal discharge may detrimentally affect their breathing. Provide your rabbit with a balanced diet made up of 80% grass and hay, 5% extruded nugget and 15% fresh greens, with fresh water available at all times and an appropriate environment in which to live. Many immunity boosting teas for humans contain this herb. Site Policies, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS), Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP), Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). If the rabbit is young and not yet eating fresh foods, its better to use it in its dried form, mixed in with their pellets. info@stortvet.com, 9.00am 6-30pm (Mon-Fri) the lungs. Isolating any other infected animals will be necessary as well. To reduce risks of respiratory disease, AVOID the following: 8.30am 7.00pm (Mon-Fri) Most of the symptoms identified will be general to multiple conditions, however below are some things to look for. The discharge can originate from the nasal area or from deeper in the respiratory tract, e.g. Symptoms for snuffles vary among rabbits. This depends on the reason for the snoring! So useful, for so many things. If you suspect your rabbit may have a case of the snuffles, a visit to his veterinarian will most likely be in order. Urban Homestead and Rabbitry338 Wesley Dr Chapel Hill, NC. Once a rabbit develops snuffles it is usually a life-long problem. Deep nasal culture and sensitivity testing try to identify which bacteria are responsible for the condition. Eyes that tear a lot may have blocked tear ducts. Make sure your veterinarian is familiar with treating rabbits. A deep nasal swab is useful to check for various infections. Rabbits do not get "colds". However, radiographs (x-rays) and blood work are also often used to determine a diagnosis. They are easy to measure and use and the rabbits actually like to eat it! Administer all prescribed medications as directed. Flushing removes any pus and bacteria from the blocked duct and helps the antibiotics to penetrate the duct and be more effective. Optimal treatment for your rabbit requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Bishops Stortford Rabbits cannot breathe through their mouth if their nose is blocked. Dandelion greens can be found fresh at your local market or health food store. Feeding changes may be necessary if your rabbit is not eating and you must feed him with a syringe until he is stronger. My family lets me live out my dreams, or maybe I force them to come along for the rideyoull have to ask them. As we all know, antibiotics can cause further health issues and detriment to immune function, and should only be used as a last effort to save a severely sick rabbit. If he is showing signs again, it would be best to have him seen and treated by a veterinarian, and keeping the cage clean with a good antiseptic cleaner will be enough to prevent the spread of most common viruses. It will be important to stay on top of any medication management as they can be long term. Pneumonia results in lung consolidation and sometimes discrete abscesses which can be identified with the chest film. Snuffles is a common name for a bacterial infection, and there can be a viral contagious component to it. The lower respiratory system involves the trachea and lungs. Aside from the obvious discharge, clinical signs may also include difficulties breathing, anorexia, sneezing and weight loss. It will be important to share with your veterinarian what signs and symptoms you have noticed and for how long. However, some cases of snuffles can have multiple bacteria or may involve a tooth problem or bone infection in the rabbits nose. Some rabbits can be allergic to certain litters as well! At times the veterinarian may attempt to make a diagnosis based solely on history and physical, however that will not guarantee your veterinarian identified the correct bacteria.
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