Jersey Wooly- Sneeze Spams plus discharge from Nose

[Starla]

About 2 days ago, I noticed my rabbit was having sneezing episodes where he would sneeze multiple times for maybe 5-10 seconds. The “episodes” are randomly timed apart last night he did them every hour or so. 40 minutes ago he had two “episodes” 3 minutes apart right after I held him for 30 mins and he had none. I thought it was due to the fact I had moved the cat litter box near his cage due to a maintenance man coming. I wiped his nose that day. Moved the litter box and he is still doing it. His nose is runny, meaning there is a wet substance below his nostrils. 

What do I do?

I’m thinking vet visit!

Is it an emergency? I hate to see him suffer which I imagine it isn’t fun for him to have these sneezing attacks. I work a lot so it is the weekend and my vet isn’t open then. I can take him to the Emergency vet this weekend, or if you think its a better idea to take work off on monday and bring him to his normal vet.

Let me know. I feel bad grooming him since he is sick. He is started to get tiny small matts because I’ve refrained from it because I didn’t want to add to his discomfort. Maybe a bad idea? I also plan on getting him shaved soon. His brothers who live in another home have and I can imagine it would be nice to have a clean slate (I had grooming issues before, which I took to heart). 

Any advice will help.

[Wick & Fable]

Sounds like a UTI (upper respiratory infection). If so, it needs to be treated with antibiotics. If one is prescribed, please inquire about getting a probiotic as well. Every antibiotic needs a probiotic so it does not upset rabbit tummies.

For URI treatment, the sooner, the better. It’s a bacteria, so the longer it has, the more it multiples and the more you need to treat. It’s not an emergency where your rabbit will stop eating or using the restroom (if that becomes the case, yes an emergency vet), but again, the sooner the better.

When Wick had a UTI, I set aside a sack of soft clean hand towels just for him. If I saw he had an especially bad sneeze attack, or just happen to see he’s a bit of a mess, I would damp a towel, gently wipe his nostril area, then use a fresh towel to dry it gently. Being there to pet your rabbit following a sneeze attack is not a bad idea. Wick liked it.

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.

[LBJ10]

Probably not an emergency, but a trip to the vet is in order. If it’s a URI, some antibiotics should do the trick.

[Starla]

Thank you everyone!! I should of added that the discharge from his nose is clear. Which I know is good for humans (green snot = sickness, its a sign we preschool workers look at). Is it a good think for rabbits?

[Wick & Fable]

Clear discharge is still a sign of a potential URI. The clear will eventually turn white or colored as the bacteria grows and matures, so while clear is better than colored, it’s not a safe color necessarily. Wick’s discharge was clear for quite a while before it became colored.

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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