Managing snuffles…?

[jackie]

Hi! I browse this forum quite a bit but made an account over a concern I can’t seem to find solid answers to.

I have a rabbit I adopted back in March that has been very healthy and I have had little concerns over his behavior (besides his territorial instincts to growl when I clean his pen; I had him neutered a week after I got him so no worries), but after it seasonally got colder, he started to seem a bit under the weather.

I spend significantly over 4 hours a day with him directly, so this change can’t be noticed by my family. I researched snuffles, but he is a completely white, long-haired rabbit and anything that can count as discharge is too light to see. I also listened closely to his breathing but he has always had a little bit of a rasp in it when its faster (I only know this because he hates having his nails trimmed and butt cleaned but it has to get done). His eyes don’t seem to be that watery, but I can’t tell at all since he is white.

So my question is, how much is it to manage snuffles? He is about a year old and means the world to me, but I am afraid of going to the vet and being unable to afford the cost. My living situation is very poor and I barely make ends meet but I make sure to get my bunny the best, I just need to know what I’m in for so I can make the appointment.

I know it differs depending on where you live, I already gave my bunny an initial vet visit and have no problem getting him checked since I’d rather be safe than sorry. This question is asking for the high-end cost so I get him the best care without being told “Sorry, we can’t help you because you can’t make the immediate payment.”

Secondly: How much does it cost for culture and sensitivity testing? I want to get this for him even if the vet looks at him and says he’s fine.

Last thing: I did rescue a rabbit from a low quality shelter that knew nothing about rabbits recently. This made me worry for my first bunny’s health because I know snuffles is highly contagious. The second rabbit doesn’t show any signs of snuffles, he just had horrible dental care and never had his nails clipped when I got him. He is also neutered and lives in a completely separate room/floor level from my first bunny. I only have two bunnies and they are not bonded/interacting yet.

Thank you and sorry if I didn’t browse more thoroughly on the forum if this has already been answered 

[jerseygirl]

Hi Jackie

So what symptoms is he displaying exactly?

A lot of rabbits that have chronic “snuffles” actually become a bit worse in the warmer weather, so it’s interesting that you guy has worsened in the cooler weather. Are you using the heat in your home at all? Is the air a bit drier in the house?

Regarding cost of care, I would look into Pet Assure, insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. There is also Care Credit (which has a veterinary branch) that can help out with vet bills.

It’s been a long time since I had a culture/sensistivity test done for one of my rabbits so I cannot tell you the cost. My vet usually puts them straight on a broad spectrum antibiotic that they had success with. If no change, the considers doing a C&S to identify a better antibiotic.
Hopefully another member has recently had one done. You can always call some clinics and just ask, to get a bit of an idea of what it may cost in your area.

Snuffle-like symptoms are not always attributed to bacterial infections though. It can be fungal, environmental, or even something that has become lodged in nasal cavity. Sometimes its parasitic too, like botfly larvae. Also, the face shape of certain breeds can mean they are more prone to nasal and respiratory issues. They are also prone to dental issues that can bring on some respiratory symptoms as well.

Snuffles is a bit of a blanket term. It may not be a contagious.

[jerseygirl]

For managing chronic nasal type symptoms, you can:

-Increase humidity in their space

-Keep temperatures cooler. Too warm temperatures is thought to cause the nasal tissue to swell.

-Use steam therapy (ie, sit rabbit in steamy bathroom to help loosen and move any mucus)

-Use nebuliser with saline for same reasons. 

-Medicate with anti-inflammatory to keep swelling down in nasal passage.

-Medicate with rabbit safe decongestants

-Provide immune support supplements like echinacea. Beneficial herbs like Goldenseal.

-Minimise dust. So use litter products that aren’t terribly dusty and shake out hay or even mist small portions with some water before giving to him. Bagged Hay that comes in plastic break down faster and become dusty so either avoid using that type of hay or make sure you only buy it where you can see when the hay was bagged. If it’s old, it will likely be dusty.

On that note – are you using any new hay that has co-incided with his worsened breathing? There may be pollens around at certain time of year when the hay was cut and cured that are setting him off.

[Mikey]

If it is snuffles, the first vet visit was about 30$ base pay plus about 25$ for 2 weeks worth of meds, so about 55$ total. The second visit two weeks after was 30$ base and 40$ for a test to make sure it was cleared up, so roughly 70$ for the second visit. Making 125$ total

Very light/clear discharge can be something as simple as he is overheating and breathing fast, or was playing too hard and was breathing fast. It could also be allergies, as youve mentioned it started to happen as the seasons got colder. For drainage, you can head into the bathroom with a hot shower going. Shut the door and let your bun roam around the bathroom while the shower is going. After about 10 to 15 minutes, or when your bun decides he is done, turn the shower off and put him back in his cage/pen/wherever he calls home. The warmth will help drain any mucus he might have stuffed up there

[Deleted User]

Hi Jackie,
I am in the UK, I had 2x X-rays (Including Anaesthetic) and a C&S test done in June this year, in total it came to £146.28 (sorry I don’t have an itemised bill or I would tell you how much the C&S was on its own.

[Author]

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