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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is this snuffles?

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    • Rebecca B
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        Hello All,

        I’m new to binkybunny and new to being a bunny mummy and would appreciate any helpful advice.

        Background:

        I have two beautiful bunnies (Boris and Ruari 3 1/2 months) who are fully vaccinated, eat a healthy diet of unlimited alfalfa hay (will change to Timothy once 6 months old), junior 25% fibre pellets (makes up 5% of diet) and fresh vegetables (makes up 15% of diet and they love pak choi and coriander). 

        The bunnies are kept indoors and have a cage with attached pen set up in my living room (6x8ft). They have free run of the kitchen and living room every morning, evening, weekend and two weekdays. They are locked in the cage and pen during the day of three weekdays I have to work from my office. The room is well ventilated. They will move to their very own bunny room once the flooring arrives next week (10x14ft)!

        On set of clinical signs:

        Three days ago I noticed that one of my bunnies, Boris, started sneezing. This wasn’t constant but he would have a few sneezing fits throughout the day. On inspection, I noticed he had a bit of hay on his nose (they seem to like showering in the stuff) and I thought the sneezing must have been caused by the strand irritating him.

        The sneezing didn’t subside, however, and yesterday morning when I woke up, I noticed Boris had a clear, very thin, discharge coming from his nose. I immediately booked him in with the vet for a same day appointment and have since started him on a 10 day course of antibiotics. I should add, I have a very rabbit savvy vet who is actually the leading vet for all the bunny sanctuaries/rescues in my area.

        My question are:

        Could this be an allergy from a bad batch of hay or is it more likely the start of a respiratory infection?

        If it is a respiratory infection, does this mean he definitely has snuffles? As he has been treated very early, could this prevent a chronic infection developing?

        I had booked Boris and Ruari in to be desexed at the end of this month but this has now been cancelled on my vets advice, until Boris is feeling better. Are there any contraindications for having a bunny with snuffles desexed?

        Any general advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be fully prepared, so I can plan for all of his welfare needs. I love my bunnies and when I took them on, I did so in the knowledge that I would give them the best quality of life they could have regardless of the cost. I know I’m probably being a little premature but I feel like a worried mummy who needs to know all the facts.

        Boris is still eating normally and is being his usual cheeky and binkying-self.

        Thank you in advance and if you need to know any more information, please ask


      • Mocha
        Participant
        509 posts Send Private Message

          I would switch hay. When you shake the hay, does a cloud of dust appear? That’s what’s going into your rabbit’s noses. What type of bedding do you use? No wood shavings right? How often do you clean the litterbox?
          Did you go to the vet yet? She should know if it’s snuffles, and she should be able to treat it if she is the best rabbit savvy in your area.
          The vet will usually give you either a powder to treat snuffles, an antibiotic or she will need to flush out the nose completely.
          How are your rabbits teeth? Rabbit’s with teeth problems usually develop snuffles.
          What your rabbit has sounds like snuffels and I would take him to the vet.


        • Tessie
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          1231 posts Send Private Message

            Snuffles is a general term for a range of respiratory issues, it’s not an illness.
            Like Mocha said, take him to the vet and they’ll decide what it is


          • Rebecca B
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              I took Boris to the vet as soon as he started getting a discharge from his nose yesterday. On examination the vet said that his lungs sounded good but she agreed there was some discharge from the nose and slight inflammation of the eyes. A 10 day course of antibiotics was prescribed as a precaution but the vet told me at this stage it would be difficult to say what it is (infection/allergy) but warned it could be recurring. I’m to go back in two weeks if the sneezing/discharge doesn’t stop. In the meantime, I’ll be changing the bedding (was using the same sawdust they were using at the pet shop) and litter to just hay – I always make sure they get the dust free variety of hay. Boris and Ruari had a healthcheck, including dental, when they had their vaccinations two weeks ago and they were perfectly healthy.

              Information on the internet regarding URI is really conflicting and I’ve read quite a few horror stories, which is why I’m probably getting too far ahead of myself. I lost Boris’ little sister, Binky (who looked almost identical to your avatar Tessie), to a parasitic infection 6 weeks ago (2 days after getting the trio), so I’m really anxious as soon as they do anything out of character. I’m hoping with the changes I’m making to their bedding and litter, coupled with the antibiotics, Boris will be a healthy little chap in no time.

              I guess one thing on my mind that I can’t find a clear answer for is – are URIs always chronic or can it be eradicated if treated early?

              Thank you for your responses


            • LongEaredLions
              Participant
              4482 posts Send Private Message

                Your vet can do a type of test called a culture and sensitivity test, even at this stage. That should tell you what the infection is, and what would be the best method of treatments. If I were you, I would request one of these tests to be done so you can treat as quickly and efficiently as possible.
                As far as the chronic thing, there are a few types of bacteria which can cause URI’s. A few of them are completely treatable, but as for most of them, the symptoms can be removed, but not the bacteria itself. For example, many bunnies have a bacteria called pasturella living in their noses, and show no symptoms. Then one day, they have a little outbreak. You treat it, and all the symptoms go away, but you can’t eradicate the bacteria itself. My own bunnies have pasturella, and every few years or so they have an outbreak of the symptoms. We treat it, and it goes away until the next time, when we treat again. Not a big deal.

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            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is this snuffles?