Ears on bunny with “dandruff” Vet visti questions

[cynthia]

Hi guys,

I wanted to get more info on this.

I am taking my bunny to the vet and would like for you guys to give me your thoughts and opinions.

He has some respiratory issues (wheezing, sneezing, and discharge). When we first went to the vet the doc gave my bunny a shot and gave me some medicine to add to his water. My bunny from there got better, but still from time to time sneezes, has discharge, and when he eats he makes a sound so I know hes better, but still has respiratory issues.

So that is why we are having this follow up; I want him to not sneeze and not have discharge.

I did bring to the vet some stool samples and everything came back negative. He has no internal parasites. The vet last time told me that respiratory issues are sometimes caused by parasites, but his testing came back negative. 

In the last week or so my bunny has been itching his ears more than usual. I got a closer look and it looks like he has dandruff. I don’t think its mites, but…this is my first time owning a rabbit so I am not sure. I think it’s my bunny’s saliva that is making his ears dry as he has no hair loss or other “flaky or dandruff parts in his body”, but better safe than sorry.The doc will probably take a sample and look under a microscope to see what this stuff is.

Will my bunny over come this respiratory issue? He feels so much better after the meds, but I don’t like it when he sneezes or has discharge. I want him to be healthy. I read that mites are not transmitted to humans is this correct? What are other symptoms are there of mites on rabbits?

He just itches and scratches. This stuff is behind his ears (in the center of his ears on the outside). There is fewer hairs there too. but ever since I got him he has not had thick hair on his ears just a shear coat. This dandruff does not “move” the mites are not visible to me and it is not in large quantities its only a little bit. I had a bright flash light to inspect him and nothing.

Thank you for reading my long wall of text. Sorry.

I just worry about my rabbit and want him to have the best life possible. 

Thanks 

Cyndy

 

[jerseygirl]

To be completely honest, I’m questioning how rabbit-savvy the vet is. Treating respiratory issue by medicating water does not sound like normal protocol. There is no way to get accurate dosing. What was the injection and the medicine for the water called?

Upper respiratory issues are chiefly caused by:

-Bacterial infection
-Environmental cause.
On the latter, do you use any wood based litters or bedding? Any scented litters? Any perfumed air fresheners in the room?(some can be extra sensitive). Any smokers in the house?

Sometimes, fungal infection can cause some resp. issues, but mainly it’s the two I mentioned.

When a rabbit has an infection or coping with a chronic ailment, it’s not unusual for other things like mites to occur. I’d still suspect something like fur mite OR a bacterial or fungal skin infection is happening on the ear. It’s possible he’s transferred something from his nose to ears. Directly from face when grooming himself, or via his paws.

I think it’s my bunny’s saliva that is making his ears dry

Quite possible! Have you tried wipe the area on his ears with a damp cloth?

[cynthia]

Hi
Thanks for the fast reply. Sorry I think this tread is supposed to be somewhere else. I have no idea why its in the behavior category feel free to move it if you wish; I was just tired last night and did not mean for this to be here in this category.

I will try the damp cloth thing and see if that will work. He has little white dots on his hears. Thanks

I am not sure on the meds. He gave my rabbit a shot when he noticed he had breathing issues. Then gave me measured amounts of some medicine to add to the water. Sorry I am very ignorant and did not pay attention to the meds; this will not happen again. I just had no idea about such things.
I will try to get my receipt of my first visit. There it should state the meds that were administered as I paid for them.
I do not have anything scented. I use stove wood chips for his litter. Nothing that is smelly. It actually smells like hay. No smokers nothing.
Can a respiratory issue be cured completely?

Thanks you very much.
Cyndy

[cynthia]

Do you have a list of vets in Colorado that sees bunnies?

[jerseygirl]

Here are the Colorado house rabbit society listings.
http://coloradohrs.org/vet-list/

You could ask on their Facebook page also, if there are more that they haven’t listed as yet. Or other rabbit owners in your area can recommend.

[jerseygirl]

Oops, I didn’t see your other reply!

Can a respiratory issue be cured completely

It depends on what is causing it. If bacterial, getting on the right antibiotics and for long enough will make a difference.
Some respiratory issues are chronic though and take long term management. They can become almost absent but have flare ups.

ETA: I moved this to the House Rabbit Q&A section for you.

[cynthia]

Thank you for your reply. I will try to get that info.
I will check the link thanks.

[cynthia]

Hi all,

So we went to the vet (the same one as last time). I am gonna try to visit another one next time. 

He gave my bunny ivermectine through seringe. He said my bunny did not have mites, but just incase he gave him the shot. There is no more white dots on my bunnies ears so I am not sure, but looks like that has been taken care of. 

As for his breathing and discharge well the doctor said he might have alergies and gave me benedril. He took a sample he got from my bunnys nose and said that there were no bacteria or anything. He said that it was mostlikely allergies. 

I want to make a visit to another doctor, but all the ones listed on that web page you gave me are atleast an hr away.

What do you 4hink? Is it possible for my bunny to have allergies? 

I do use woodpellets as his litter. Can I use something else? I think those woodpellets are made from pine as I live in CO maybe thats what is causing his sneezing. 

Thank you very much in advance. 

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