Help! Bunny Sneezing A Lot

[Milly&Theo]

Hi Everyone,

My bunny Theo has started sneezing a lot. He started Thursday morning but by Thursday evening had calmed down and didn’t really sneeze at all. On Friday he had intermittent bouts of sneezing (i’d sneezed about 20-30 times ish for half an hour, then didn’t sneeze for hours and then had another half hour bout and so on). At the moment he’s still sneezing intermittently. 

I’ve called the vet and will be taking him in tomorrow but between now and then i’m very worried and don’t know what i should do. I’ve cleaned his cage and reduced the amount of Hay incase he’s got an allergy to it. He doesn’t have any other symptoms, not even a runny nose, and his sister who lives with him is fine. 

Does anyone know what might be the cause? 

Thanks in advance

[jerseygirl]

Possibly something has lodged in his nose?? A hay seed?

Do the buns go outside at all?

If it were hay allergy, I think you would see him sneezing a lot more while eating it. Some batches of hay can be dusty or have more pollen which could set of a sensitive rabbit. It’s important they have hay or grass though. You could dip small handfuls in water and offer it that way, if you’re worried hay is the cause. Or lighlty spritz it with water. Just be sure to regularly replace it if giving it to them that way.

Another reason for sneezing is respiratory infection. This could be be bacterial or fungal. He may be managing to clear some gunk and be sneeze-free for a bit until it build up again. But do ask your vet to check for any foreign bodies up the nose.

And another cause could be some dental issues such as overgrown molar roots.

[Milly&Theo]

Thanks for the reply. He doesn’t seem to sneeze more frequently when actually eating hay so I guess it’s unlikely to be an allergy then. They do still have access to it but i’ve now tried to contain it in lots of feeders around their cage rather than it being everywhere! 

We do let them go outside and run around the back garden when we’re home and it’s not raining. The last time he was outside would have been Wednesday evening and we noticed the sneezing first thing Thursday morning, so i guess he could have got something stuck up his nose when outside? I’ll get the vet to check for foreign bodies tomorrow. 

He’s only 10 months old so is a dental problem still a possibility? I think that’s the thing that concerns me most as I know rabbits are bad with aesthetic and really hope he won’t need an operation. 

[Wick & Fable]

I’m leaning towards respiratory infection, just because I think dental problems like overgrown roots come with a slew more of side effects.

If it’s a URI your vet will prescribe antibiotics.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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