Is there any way…?

[MoxieMeadows]

Is there any way to have a second bun without it catching Pastuerella from Moxie? If it was housed in a different room? 

As all antibiotics and stuff have not worked on Moxie (I’m now trying to work out if allergies could be causing the sneezing because they did find proof of that, but I don’t know what I can do to minimize allergens, any suggestions?), I don’t want to make another bun catch it. I feel like it would be very selfish and irresponsible of me to bring another bun into my home and have it catch the illness.

So any thoughts or input? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[redbunbun]

Since pasteurella is transmitted mainly through particles in the air, ie. when Moxie sneezes, and through nasal secretions, I should think that having a bunny in a completely different side of the house and being extremely careful to keep it quarantined from Moxie would prevent an infection. But, when it comes down to it, keeping two animals in the same house quarantined from each other would be very difficult for you. Pasteurella is extremely contagious to any rabbits exposed to the contagion, so you’d pretty much need to change your clothing between visiting rabbits, disinfect absolutely everything you need to move from Moxie’s side of the house to the other rabbit, have separate supplies of hay and pellets, etc, to make sure the contamination did not take place. When Sukka arrived and was showing symptoms of coccidia, I had to try to implement a quarantine procedure between her and Tossu – and it was not easy! We only did it for a few weeks, and it slowed down my daily bunny routines to almost unmanageable on busy days. It was a nightmare. Keeping it up for the entirety of Moxie’s and your other bunny’s life together would be too much for me in your shoes, though I’m sure you could somehow hone the quarantine procedures to be as easy as possible on you if it was a long-time thing.

On the other hand: it’s been speculated that around 80% of rabbits already have pasteurella on their systems, and it’s only triggered in stressful situations and/or if their immune system is compromised for some reason. Perhaps Moxie’s sneezing wouldn’t cause any pasteurella symptoms in another rabbit, even if they were to live in the same house with less strict quarantine procedures – or even if they were to live together as a bonded pair. I totally understand that it may not be a risk you’re willing to take with another rabbit’s life, and I admit I would be hesitant in your shoes as well. But it is a possibility you might want to consider.

[MoxieMeadows]

redbunbun— Yeah, I considered that she might have just tested positive because most buns do, and is sneezing for another reason(because in the cytology they did find evidence of an irritant like allergies). The vets were really surprised her “Pasteurella” wasn’t “bad” for sneezing for such a long time, they thought it would have spread long by now. She has no ear/eye discharge, and her nose is usually damp but I think that’s just from sneezing. So it hasn’t really been getting worse.

I still am torn, as I’d love to help a bun that needed a home but am scared of risking it. And my mother wants another angora so she can spin (Moxie was sold as pet quality because she has bad fiber genes), but I’d hate to get it sick. (Even if it would be very much loved and well taken care of)

[LBJ10]

It’s also worth noting that many bunnies have pasteurella and never have any symptoms.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I find sick bunnies exhausting-all the meds, trips to the vet and worry. Any particular reason you want another while you deal with Moxie’s issues? I’d wait if it were me for sure! (btw Rupert is on meds right now so it’s particularly fresh in my mind how exhausting-not to mention “bitey” having a sick rabbit can be!)

[MoxieMeadows]

It’s just I’d love to help a bun that needed a home, and didn’t want to wait many more years (hopefully!!) to add another bun to my family. Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way bored of Moxie, she’s my baby and always will be and I love her. And as I mentioned above a family member really wants more fiber to spin, and I obviously won’t let the family member get one if it’s to be kept outside, our winters are very harsh, even if they have a proper enclosure with plenty of space/coverage.

But that being said, we’re also in NO rush to get another rabbit, this isn’t an impulse thing, since I’ve been discussing on here, with vets (they also pointed out most rabbits have pasteurella and Moxie could potentially be sneezing from allergies) and contimplating about risks/benefits. And discussing the risks on getting another rabbit to the family member. This would NOT be a decision I would take lightly, so don’t worry!

[Bam]

From what I’ve read recently about pasteurella, it seems it is nowadays more or less deemed a part of a rabbit’s natural bacterial flora, and most if not all bunnies carry it in their nasal cavities, and it’s not entirely known why some bunnies get sick from it and others manage to keep it in check.

Here’s a rather extensive article on pasteurella multocida http://www.celebratingrabbits.com/stories/pasteurella.html

[MoxieMeadows]

That was an interesting article bam, thank you.

The only symptoms Moxie has for Pasteurella is sneezing and a damp nose. The vets have checked her ears/eyes and her breathing sounds fine. It’s just the sneezing we are having trouble controlling.

I plan on buying an air purifier sometime this week, if I have enough money left over from buying flea treatments and heartgaurd for my dog, but If I don’t I’ll get it wednesday.

Now question— Would a cool-air humidifier help at all?

[LBJ10]

Has Moxie had x-rays? Perhaps she has a tooth root problem.

[MoxieMeadows]

LBJ— Not yet, we felt like Moxie needed a break, and financially we had to take a break after all the meds/vet trips/tracheal wash-cytology/shots/flea treatments ect. It’s a lot to pay for in a short amount of time. (We estimated we spent nearly $1000, and the x-rays for teeth and lungs would of been $600+ )

We did however have them look in her mouth while she was under for the trachea wash. They said from what they could see they looked fine. Although I’m not sure you’d be able to tell a root problem just by looking?

[LBJ10]

I’ve been told that you can’t always tell. Like my vet said that usually where there are tooth root problems, there are tooth problems as well. Wooly has the best looking teeth my vet has ever seen, yet we are pretty sure he has a problem with his tooth roots (we also decided to stop torturing him for awhile, so no x-rays yet). The other signs are there though and tooth root problems don’t always occur alongside problem teeth. Anyway, it was just a thought. Moxie’s sinuses could simply be irritated by the tooth roots, cause discharge/sneezing. Every so often, the conditions become favorable for bacteria to sort of take over and antibiotics seem to help but even with the bacteria gone the irritant is still there.

[MoxieMeadows]

LBJ– Yeah. I don’t think there’s really a way for us to be able to figure out what’s going on with her 100%.

I still haven’t made up my mind yet whether or not I’ll choose to bring another rabbit home one day. As I said I’m in NO rush, and know it won’t be happening anytime this year. But possibly in 2016 if I find “the one”, and have decided it’s best.
Whatever I choose, I hope you’ll all support me through my decision.
Thank you all for your input!

[LBJ10]

The longer this goes on, the more I think that whatever Moxie’s issue is isn’t contagious. You have plenty of time as far as getting a second bun goes, so you can certainly explore your options and talk to your vet about it. And if a bunny comes along that would be a good fit for you, then I’m sure you will be armed with the information you need to make the decision that is right for you and Moxie.

[MoxieMeadows]

Thanks LBJ!

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