Snuffles

[Miyavp]

So Sunday I took my rabbit into the vet with white eye discharge. I suspected it might be snuffles and thats exactly what they diagnosed him with. They sent him home with .25ml of baytril twice a day for two weeks and then a follow up appointment. Btw my vet is an ex zoo vet and I was recommended to her VIA a local rabbit rescue.

Cappuccino is around two years old he’s a rescue. He’s a Netherland Dwarf. He weighs around two pounds. Here’s what my questions are for you.

Should I go back in and ask for a culture that way we can positively identify the bacteria causing the problem instead of just taking the baytril?

Is cipro better than baytril?

I found some other rabbit owners with snuffles raving about this health food supplement. They said it greatly helped their rabbits with snuffles. Should I give it a try? Links to the forum and the supplement are down below.

Long Term Treatment of Snuffles Thread

Super Food. Berry Click on supplement facts in the right hand corner to see nutritional label.

Please please please help me answer my questions. And yes I do plan to ask my vet about the supplement I just wanted your opinion in case she says no, because if it wont harm him I might give it a try.

[Sarita]

Well snuffles isn’t really a medical term – it’s just a catch all term for an upper respiratory infection so there is that first of all.

I think you should start with the baytril myself. As for cipro being better than baytril – I believe it’s going to depend on which one the bacteria is resistant to so one is not necessarily better than the other. They are both in the same classification of drugs.

[Miyavp]

Do you think I should go in and get the bacteria identified? Would that really help a lot? I dont know much about baytril or what it combats well against bacteria wise. I just read a lot of other vets started with a nose culture. I know snuffles isn’t a medical term, I just thought it was easier than typing out upper respiratory infection.

[Sarita]

While a culture is ideal it can be costly. If it were me, I would start with baytril and see if this works and if it didn’t then I would go the culture and sensitivity route.

Here is a good article by Dana Krempels on Cultures and Sensitivities:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html

How old is your rabbit, do you know? I looked back and I think your rabbits were abandoned and you found them…is that right? So you may not know. I do know as well that many times dental problems can cause the same type of symptoms. Did the vet look at the teeth as well.

[Miyavp]

She did check out his teeth and she said they looked fine. While I dont know his exact age I do know he wasn’t fully grown when I got him. So under a year was assumed.

[Miyavp]

That article was really helpful thanks Do you have any idea how much a culture would run me? My appointment was 60$ and my meds were 25$

[Sarita]

I have no idea – I would just call the vet’s office and ask – that would be best.

[Stickerbunny]

Culture prices vary a lot – in house lab, out of house lab, etc. My vet has no lab and a culture is done by a third party, it runs $150. He warned me since the lab is so far away, some bacteria will die before it can be tested, so a negative doesn’t mean too much for short lived ones. You will just have to talk to your vet and see.

I agree with the baytril being first to try. If it works, no need to stress the bun out more.

[jerseygirl]

I 3rd the starting on baytril. It’s broad spectrum and tolerated well. C&S test can be good for when the usual abx are not being effective and you’re having to move to higher risk ones.
If the white discharge is coming from lower part of the eye, a warm compress may help clear congestion & give some relief. You can also apply gentle pressure just under the eye to help get the gunk out.

Hopefully it’s just mild infection that will clear. With teeth, it’s the overgrowth of the roots or infection around the root that can cause issues. Or changes in the face structure.
If the tear duct is blocked from infection and not clearing up with abx, having the duct flushed is another option.

Cipro or chloramphenicol are some meds you might use topically. You could possibly use a topical while on oral baytril but you’d need to ask the vet about that.

Thanks for link to the supplement. Look interesting and something that might benefit a rabbit after tummy problems. The probiotics could be good after antibiotic course also.

[Miyavp]

Thanks so much for all the insight guys. Yesterday I was really worried because he slept for like seven hours without moving and I was having a rough time getting him to drink any water. But he looks a ton better today and he’s been drinking out of the dish I left out. So I think I’ll stay on the baytril and ask my vet about the culture and the supplement. What do I do if I have a hard time getting him to drink water again? Yesterday I took and poured a little apple juice in with the water and he drank that but I dont feel like the sugars good for him.

[jerseygirl]

What do I do if I have a hard time getting him to drink water again? Yesterday I took and poured a little apple juice in with the water and he drank that but I dont feel like the sugars good for him.

Try giving wet greens. The water on and in them should help hydrate. If he likes celery, leave some if that out too. high water content. If he won’t eat the veggies or drink, you’ll probably need to syringe water into side of mouth.
I don’t think that bit of sugar yesterday would have hurt. Stress depletes blood sugar and he likely had a bit of stress going to to vet.
It got him drinking and gave a little bit of energy so it’s a win-win in my mind.

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