It will be important to stay on top of any medication management as they can be long term. These drugs should not be given to any rabbit. Trauma to the head, such as an attack by a predator. As the condition progresses, your rabbit will develop a discharge from its nose which it will wipe away with its front paws. Dandelion greens can be found fresh at your local market or health food store. Most, if not all, rabbits have this bacteria and can have a bout with snuffles if they become stressed, Heatley says. Fungal infection may also affect the nasal cavity. Secondary infection of the nasal cavity may also occur. Your veterinarian will direct you as to how often you should bring him in for a checkup. 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. In chronic cases or rhinitis, a complete cure may not be possible and signs may recur. 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. In these cases, veterinary advice and attention should be sought. This is an EMERGENCY situation and needs urgent care. This means no loud foreign noises or menacing pets or children. Some rabbits do simply seem to snore when they are asleep, much like people. You can clean their nose and eyes with saline to keep the discharge from building up. 9.00am 11am (Sat) Rabbits do not get "colds". The cause of the snuffles in this case is contact with the bacterium pasteurellosis. An effective vaccine has not been developed. His symptoms may mimic other conditions rabbits can suffer from such as respiratory diseases, dental concerns or a poorly ventilated hutch. 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. This depends on the reason for the snoring! Heatley adds, Snuffles is a very common disease of rabbits and can be found in up to 10 percent of rabbits which appear normal. For rabbits, it can be used fresh or dried. A deep nasal swab is useful to check for various infections. 01799 522755, 2022 Bishops Stortford Vets Registered in England 07961322 VAT No. This test is called a culture and sensitivity and it will help your vet prescribe the most effective antibiotic for your rabbit. Snuffles is a common name for a bacterial infection, and there can be a viral contagious component to it. Any of a number of fluids produced in the respiratory tract can drain from your rabbits nose. Website by CVMBS Communications If you decide to add a new rabbit, she should be quarantined for at least 90 days and be examined by a veterinarian at the beginning and end of quarantine. What can I do to prevent my rabbit getting snuffles? Bishops Stortford A grass hay diet will ensure normal tooth wear and good gut health. Oral penicillin, amoxicillin, the cefa drugs and the "mycin" family (clindamycin or erythromycin e.g.) The upper respiratory tract involves the head, sinuses, the nasal passages and the ear canal. Alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems with the treatments. CB11 4BY Most rabbits are exposed to the Pasteurella bacteria but not all rabbits show symptoms. Your rabbits eyes may be swabbed to collect some of the bacteria from them. Dental disease can obstruct the nasolacrimal tear duct which drains tears from the eyes down the nose. If your rabbit has just started to eat leafy greens, you can add one or two leaves of dandelion at each meal. If there are any abscesses found because of the infection, those may have to be surgically removed as well. Humans that handle infected rabbits should wash their hands and clothes before handling healthy rabbits. Pasteurellosis in rabbits is most commonly caused by the bacteria Pasteurella multocida. You will need to administer these directly into your rabbits mouth using a syringe. Rabbit probiotics are formulated for their special dietary and specific microbiome needs. 8.30am 12.00pm (Sun), Please note, phone calls may be recorded for training purposes, Rye Street Sedation or anesthesia can help immobilize the bunny long enough to allow a deep probe into the nasal passages. 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. Give this mixture instead of the usual filtered water in a BOWL. Worried about the cost of Snuffles Pasteurellosis treatment? If you suspect that your rabbit has snuffles, you should take it to see your vet. Flushing the tear ducts is particularly useful if they are blocked by infection, but may take several attempts to achieve successful flushing. Keeping his environment clean and free of any contamination will be important to avoid further infection. Penicillin can be given by injection only. Your vet may also recommend some changes to your rabbits diet to help prevent further teeth problems. In other non-responsive cases, further testing may be necessary. Also do not use cedar shavings for bedding. General treatments include cleaning the nostrils, nutritional support, oxygen therapy (if your rabbit has difficulty breathing), nebulisation (this can be used to moisten secretions and also to deliver some medications), and anti-inflammatories/pain relief. However, if the problem is causing any respiratory distress, the rabbit is cyanotic (blue mucous membranes) or is distressed in any other way, then you must get your rabbit to your vet straight away as this is an emergency situation. We have seen a lot of success with grape seed extract but are still testing dosages. Once the rabbit beats their cold, they will have increased immunity for the future. This blood test can lead to interpretation difficulties as it does not always distinguish infected bunnies from non-infected ones. First lets touch on some housing issues that could possibly be working against you. Physical examinations should be a routine part of your pre-purchase or initial well pet health exam. You may spot the dried discharge on your rabbits front paws. Generally, treatment includes: Keep infected rabbits in isolation during treatment. Some rabbits can be allergic to certain litters as well! 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. Pasteurella antibody tests. 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. Separate actively sneezing and eye discharging bunnies from cagemates. These medications can be administered for up to a few months to fully treat the infection. Other factors that are risk factors for respiratory tract disease include poor environmental conditions, e.g. Respiratory irritants, such as smoke, dust and high ammonia levels, irritate the nasal lining and secondary infection can occur. Ensure that your rabbits living quarters are well ventilated and are regularly cleaned-out to prevent the build-up of fumes from urine. What do I need to do to clean and disinfect the cage to make sure the new rabbit doesn't catch this if we treat again? 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. CLOSED (Sun), 77 Rowntree Way X-rays and other imaging tools may be utilized as well to determine if there are any other possible symptoms of the bacteria. This is a pre-dried, cut, and sifted Echinacea blend that we order in the winter months when our stash of fresh Echinacea runs out. Flushing removes any pus and bacteria from the blocked duct and helps the antibiotics to penetrate the duct and be more effective. He's 4.5 years old, Lionhead. Inner ear infections can develop and result in a head tilt or circling behavior. We are currently testing a few more remedies in our rabbitry and will release more information about them as we see their effects. This system is most often involved. Foreign bodies, such as hay, hair or grass seeds, are common in rabbits, and can lead to infection and nasal discharge. Rabbits can develop cold symptoms or snuffles when they come into contact with another animal carrying an infectious bacteria. More specific treatments may be appropriate for certain diseases, e.g.
Snuffles is a disease which affects the eyes and nose and sometimes the lungs, skin, or even the middle ear of rabbits, says Dr. Jill Heatley, associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM).
Here are some guidelines on how to look after a rabbit with snuffles and also how to protect your rabbits from developing the condition. Ask your vet or veterinary nurse to show you how to do this if you are unsure.
Sometimes an antibiotic change can make the difference.
A physical exam will most likely be performed to identify any obvious reasons for his snuffles. Does he need to be treated again or is this normal with snuffles? Snuffles is extremely contagious among rabbits, and infected rabbits should never be allowed to come into contact with healthy rabbits. 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. When in doubt, hop down to your veterinarian for a complete checkup. If your rabbit is not moving at all or has not been eating or drinking for more than six to twelve hours (while awake.) In some cases of myxomatosis with secondary bacterial infection, a mucus/pus nasal discharge is seen. This blockage prevents normal drainage of tears through the duct and allows the bacteria to grow. Follow-up may include: Copyright 1999 - 2022. To try to avoid snuffles in your current pet, keep its environment stress free. If your rabbit only snores when asleep or very relaxed, and has no signs of respiratory infection or a foreign body, then it would be assumed that the rabbit is just snoring! Win win. On a daily basis, monitor fecal and urine output to assure proper food and water consumption and digestion. the lungs. When the teeth become overgrown and/or maloccluded (do not meet), the tooth roots push upwards and can obstruct the tear duct. 
This is simple to do and your veterinarian can help you with the set-up. The discharge can originate from the nasal area or from deeper in the respiratory tract, e.g. Do not let these side affects go untreated by your veterinarian. He/she will carefully examine your rabbit, including its teeth, and may ask you questions about your rabbits diet and housing. Provide a dust-free environment for your rabbit. These ducts can be flushed and unblocked in some rabbits but, in long-standing cases, these ducts can be permanently obstructed. Rabbits only eat plants and need the probiotics that match their diet. Purchase young rabbits from sources that provide documentation that each bunny has been tested for pasteurella prior to sale. Snoring can be totally harmless and normal for some rabbits, but if your rabbit is in any way distressed or it happens suddenly without any previous episodes, then it is always best to seek veterinary advice to rule out any potential problems. Thoroughly clean and disinfect enclosures, food bowls, water containers and non-porous toys. However, some cases of snuffles can have multiple bacteria or may involve a tooth problem or bone infection in the rabbits nose. Breathing in ammonia is harmful to the entire respiratory tract. Accessibility | 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. Discard porous (wood, natural fibers, etc.) 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. He could have snuffles, a common upper respiratory infection in rabbits. This is a congenital problem caused by the animals breeding and is often not life-threatening, as long as nothing else obstructs the nasal passages. The lower respiratory system involves the trachea and lungs. Try completely changing your litter to see if alleviates your rabbits symptoms. Rabbits in the wild eat a very high-fibre diet consisting predominantly of grass, hay and bark, and they rarely suffer from dental problems.
Aside from the obvious discharge, clinical signs may also include difficulties breathing, anorexia, sneezing and weight loss. Rabbits with dental problems are prone to snuffles, so the best way of protecting your rabbit from snuffles, is to ensure that its teeth are healthy and this may require changes to your rabbits diet. This is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Some of these bunnies really struggle to breathe. Rabbits develop little effective immunity after infection. Make sure your veterinarian is familiar with treating rabbits. The most common bacteria that is found is Pasteurella multocida. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of pasteurellosis is important to reduce spread of this bacterium, particularly in multi-rabbit households or rabbitries. Now his runny nose is back. Compare top pet insurance plans. One common bacteria is called "Pasteurella" but there can be other bacteria involved as well like Mycoplasma, Bordetella and Pseudomonas.
Recent research by veterinary surgeons and rabbit food companies has shown that there is a strong relationship between rabbits diet and dental disease. This one may not be appropriate for very young rabbits since it is fresh greens. cedar, may cause irritation to the eyes, and possibly trigger snuffles. Nasal discharge may be due to infectious or non-infectious causes. 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.
Your rabbits prognosis is good if the treatment is begun immediately. Even with lower respiratory tract disease, coughing is very rare in rabbits. The prognosis varies depending on the cause the extent of disease when treatment is sought. Because this disease is readily identified in rabbits, symptoms are more important in diagnosis than laboratory tests. 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. Also, we've just gotten a new rabbit, but they are separated at this time. Severe cold symptoms in rabbits may include, nasal or eye discharge that is thick and cloudy white or yellow, enough discharge that the rabbit is losing fur around nose or eyes, lethargy, constant raspy breathing that you can feel in the lungs, and breathing with their mouth open because they are so stuffed up.
2022, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Most common symptoms include: sneezing, conjunctivitis (eye discharge), loud breathing and lethargy. Some rabbits will spontaneously recover but the majority of cases need medical therapy and even then some of these bunnies cannot completely recover. 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. 
Fortunately, recent research suggests that it can be prevented just by providing your rabbit with a healthy, balanced diet. Many times a veterinarian will make a presumptive diagnosis of snuffles based solely on a physical examination, explains Heatley. So for your rabbit we recommend a healthy diet, stress free environment, and plenty of enrichment and exercise. poor ventilation or a dirty environment, overcrowding, other disease which reduces the rabbits ability to combat infections, and stress such as transportation. You should also check your rabbit for malocclusion (overgrown teeth) to see if this is part of the problem. Decreasing irritation in the nasal passages can help in healing. I have used these probiotics for a wide range of health boosting effects. This is when it often takes hold and some form of clinical signs associated with the bacteria may be seen. Vaccinations during the Coronovirus Pandemic, College Station Personals Ads doulike.org. 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. This is because the tooth roots pass very closely to the tear duct as it drains from the corner of the eye to the nose. Never return a rabbit to a rabbitry if she has been exposed to other rabbits. 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. Rabbits cannot breathe through their mouth if their nose is blocked. Some diseases are readily treatable while others carry a very poor prognosis. If the tear ducts are severely blocked or scarred it is sometimes impossible to flush them successfully. 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. The best prevention is to not take home a sick bunny and to isolate any bunnies showing symptoms. Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. The bacteria involved are usually Pasteurella spp or Staphylococcus spp. If they are wiping their face with their feet, it is also a great idea to keep them clean too. Eyes that tear a lot may have blocked tear ducts. Further tests may be requested including bloodwork and samples of any discharge. Rabbits with dental disease are prone to developing snuffles. 213 2422 20. It is found in almost all rabbits that show clinical signs, such as a runny nose, skin infections, or a head tilt. Snuffles is a term used to describe the symptoms of runny eyes, runny nose and sneezing in rabbits. Discharge from the eyes and/or nares and abscesses are common in affected rabbits. Treatment will begin with antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers. Antibiotics are the first line of defense against this disease. It will be important to share with your veterinarian what signs and symptoms you have noticed and for how long. Some older rabbits can have breathing difficulty from heart disease or cancer and not have infection at all. Establish the pasteurella status of your rabbit using a combination of an antibody test and a DNA probe-based test. These tests will confirm if pasteurella is the cause of your rabbits problems or not. The snuffles are caused by the bacterium pasteurellosis, which your rabbit may have in his own body or encounters. With severe sneezing and nasal discharge, a human nebulizer can be used to provide relief for the nasal passages. Very few facilities can guarantee a completely disease free environment. Working closely with a rabbit veterinarian is your best protection against disease progression. Poor sanitation: ammonia from waste (urine and faeces) irritates the respiratory passages, as can cigarette smoke and aerosols. Suggestions for future topics may be directed toeditor@cvm.tamu.edu. The veterinarian may want to know if your rabbit has been around other animals who appeared to be sick or have similar symptoms. If your rabbit is found to have problems with its teeth, it may need to have them clipped or filed. info@stortvet.com, 9.00am 6-30pm (Mon-Fri) Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and isolation of the organism. Oral antibiotics may also be necessary to treat the infection in the nasal sinuses. Hello, Make sure your rabbit is eating and drinking. Respiratory disease in rabbits is a common condition most often caused by a bacterial infection. If your rabbit is experiencing neurological symptoms, those will be treated to keep him comfortable also. These bunny patients may require months of treatment and require much patience on the part of the owner.. The antibiotics are usually in the form of drops or cream to be applied directly to the eyes. grass/hay seeds/hair, may be breathed in and lodge in one or even both of the nasal passages. Diarrhea can be very serious in a rabbit. Diarrhea or inappetance might indicate a problem with the medication. Texas A&M University | Biker Earth Assessment Exactly What Do We Know About This? It is important to be vigilant about getting him to the veterinarian quickly if you suspect snuffles.
Feeding changes may be necessary if your rabbit is not eating and you must feed him with a syringe until he is stronger. They are easy to measure and use and the rabbits actually like to eat it! Heatley also recommends using probiotics in rabbits, because they help replace the good normal bacteria in the rabbits gut which it needs to live. Lower respiratory involvement usually means pneumonia (lung infection). The discharge from the eyes is initially clear (just like normal tears). Rabbits are very prone to stress which can delay healing. If the respiratory symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks or if the rabbit gets worse while on the medication, contact your veterinarian for further treatment. Adult rabbits can have 5 or 6 fresh leaves a day or a tablespoon of dried leaves mixed in with their pellets. This medicine then becomes vaporized and the affected individual breathes in the fine mist containing the drugs. But visiting a the vet could help you rule out other underlying issues contributing to the cold symptoms. Attempted mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress and is often accompanied by a blue tinge to the lips and nose. Occasionally, a bunny with snuffles will develop a deep ear infection. Due to this bacterium being so highly contagious, it is easy for rabbits to spread the infection to one another. The nebulizer comes with a medicine cup that can be filled with sterile saline and antibiotics.
Most respiratory problems in rabbits are caused by bacteria and not viruses like in people or in cats. 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.
Try to minimize stress in the home environment. 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Urban Homestead and Rabbitry338 Wesley Dr Chapel Hill, NC. This is uncomfortable for the rabbit so your vet will need to sedate or anaesthetise your rabbit for this procedure. But some "normal" rabbits can have antibodies and some infected rabbits may not have developed antibodies at all.
Steroids must be used with great caution in rabbits because they can suppress the immune response.
I am always learning something new or building something bigger (and heavier!) Antibiotics may work quickly and rapidly clear up his infection, however, it may also be a longer-term process. They need more hydration during this time to keep the mucous flowing through their potentially swollen sinuses. This is a bacterium that naturally occurs in rabbits, however it can turn into a problem. These bacteria will be grown in culture and then exposed to different antibiotics. Reference our article What to do if Your Rabbit Stops Eating, to take immediate action and get to a vet ASAP.
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. So if your bunny has snuffles, it should not play with other animals until it is well or at least until it starts an antibiotic treatment program., With adequate care and treatment most cases of snuffles can be resolved and have a good prognosis, Heatley adds. In the terminal stages of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, frothy blood originating from the lungs may discharge from the nose. I am a homesteader, watercolor painter, doll maker, bunny lover, and cucumber eater. Tests may include: Treatment is difficult and may not eradicate the organism.
CT scanning can be expensive, but should be covered by pet health insurance if you have it for your rabbit. Another immune boosting superfood! Antihistamines and steroids don't usually work and are not often used to treat respiratory diseases in rabbits. Once the rabbit is showing symptoms, the disease will run it's course which can be mild or severe. Why does my rabbit only snore when sleeping? 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). Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekinese, causes a snoring sound to be heard when the animal breathes. If you do need to alter your rabbits diet introduce the changes gradually over a minimum period of 2 weeks, to allow its digestive system to adjust. Once a rabbit develops snuffles it is usually a life-long problem. Some affected rabbits die with few premonitory signs others develop more chronic forms of infection. 
Untreated rabbits become very debilitated as the condition progresses. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. This sounds simple but it can be difficult to get deep enough into the nose in most rabbits. The same should be said for using any type of litter containing cedar, which is also extremely irritating.
Respiratory disease affects rabbits of all ages and results in sneezing, eye discharge (conjunctivitis), and labored breathing. It is one of the most common disease-causing agents in rabbits. Have any new rabbit tested using a combination of an antibody test and a DNA probe-based test during quarantine. can cause gastrointestinal tract problems in rabbits that can be difficult to reverse. It presents as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Many young rabbits will also develop their first colds after weaning from their mother and coming into contact with the wider world. Blood tests can show the overall health of the rabbit, in particular identifying signs of infection. In severe cases, snuffles can result in pneumonia which requires very intensive treatment and unfortunately is often fatal. My family lets me live out my dreams, or maybe I force them to come along for the rideyoull have to ask them.
For example, if a nasal foreign body is removed and the associated infection treated early, the prognosis is good. Offer fresh veggies every day too. Keep your rabbit out of direct or indirect contact with other rabbits. This is relatively common and not typically life threatening. After examining your rabbit, your vet may suggest some other tests to identify the cause of the discharge and help determine the severity of the condition. Watch for runny eyes, runny nose and dirty front paws in rabbits that clean their face. Echinacea is an immune booting super herb, also known as purple coneflower. There are several causes of nasal discharge, not all of them are infections. P. multocida is highly infectious and many infected rabbits remain clinically normal until they are stressed and then clinical signs of disease may occur. These rabbits will have persistent tearing problems but not necessarily infection. The build-up of fumes from urine or from certain types of wood shavings, e.g. 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. To treat clogged tear ducts, your veterinarian may flush his tear ducts in the office and teach you how to do it at home. 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. What tests will my vet use to investigate nasal discharge? Adding some ACV to a rabbits water has many health benefits beyond helping with colds. My rabbit was treated for Snuffles 2 months ago. If you suspect your rabbit may have a case of the snuffles, a visit to his veterinarian will most likely be in order.
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