Benny might have Snuffles

[BookerTRabbit]

Poor guy. We have only had him 6 weeks and he has already been to the vet twice and is on 5 different medications. I think the thing that I feel worst about is what would have happened to him if we had never adopted him. I just get so frustrated with people! How can you have a pet for 6 years and NEVER take him to the vet! Not once! Not even for a check up! Heaven forbid if the little guy had shown some sort of symptoms, not like they would have known since he was only let out of his cage once every 10 days so they could clean it! UGH!

Sorry, I had to vent. I just feel bad for the little guy. Anyway, back to the purpose of  my post. Benny went in yesterday for his nueter and the Doc called and said when Benny was under he noticed a rattle in his chest. He thinks he might have snuffles. He isn’t sure. He gave us some antibiotics the he needs to take for two weeks and I moved his cage into another room so if he does have it he won’t give it to Booker T.

Since we’ve had Benny I haven’t heard a single sneeze. I had him at the vet 10 days after we got him and the vet did a full exam and didn’t notice anything then. Is it possible that he may have somehting else ? Is there a test they can do to be sure? I’m also confused about how Benny could have gotten this. He has never been around other rabbits, could he have had it since he was a baby and just barely be showing symptoms?

I was a little frustrated with the vet, he didn’t give me any specific instructions on the phone, he made it sound like a “wait and see” situation. So anyway, if you guys have any advice, it would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[Sarita]

Has the vet done a culture? 

Snuffles is not an actual disease but many vets call pasturella “snuffles” which I don’t think they should since it’s not really anything other than a symptom. 

Here is a good article from a vet on Pasturella:

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/past.shtml

I think this will help explain many of your questions.

[Sarita]

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

Here’s another good article from Dana Krempels on this condition.

[wendyzski]

“Snuffles” is often but not always caused by a particular germ called pasteurella multocida.  Many rabbits have it in their system but it doesn’t present symptoms until brought out by stress or another illness.  It’s very important to get a culture done to see what specific germ is causing the problem so that it can be treated properly.  (similar symptoms can be caused by bordatella, the germ that causes “kennel cough” in dogs)  It’s also important to work with a rabbit-saavy vet

My Pepper was diagnosed positive last May.  The strain she has was resistant to Baytril, chloramphenamine got it under control but it came back, and right now we’re at nearly 2 weeks since the last med (sulfa plus a nebulized antiobiotic solution) and she’s stil sneeze-free.

I started a live-journal community for people with snufflebuns  http://community.livejournal.com/snufflebuns/

We have talked about useful websites, various treatments, tips for getting them to take meds, etc.  Maybe taking a read through the recent posts might help you.

It is likely that Pepper will be on and off antibiotics for the rest of her life.  She’s better now but things could flare back up.  We just do the best we can and take one day at a time.

[MooBunnay]

If you haven’t heard any sneezes or noticed anything weird, I woudn’t imagine he has anything but I’m not really an expert on the matter. I wonder if Benny was just snoring From my experience, if a rabbit is sick or has the snuffles you will usually hear sneezes or see a wet or crusty nose, or see some signs of symptoms, so if Benny doesn’t have any of that he sounds pretty healthy to me…its a good idea to finish out the antibiotics correctly, but once you are done I’d let the vet know that you haven’t seen any symptoms at all.

[wendyzski]

Yes – finish the antibiotics and then keep an eye on him.  For quite a while Pepper was fine while on antibiotics and then we’d take her off them and 2-3 weeks later she’d be sick again.   If you see any signs of sneezing, nose goop, or changes in behavior or eating habits, then call the vet again – he might need a longer course or a different med.  Or he could be fine after one round – you never know.

 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Wendyzki Cool you started a great site!!

BookerT I totally understand your need to vent!! That is pretty terrible care of a bunny-they probably thought they were doing good too -gross…

[Author]

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