Sneezing!

[OliverBun]

Olive has this ear infection that is difficult to treat. Any antibiotic we try causes stasis so we’ve been doing a few days on antibiotics then a few days off.
Now he’s sneezing. Maybe once a day. He usually rarely sneezes. It’s not related to any activity as he sneezes randomly regardless of what he’s doing. He has a bit of a wet nose but he’s had that for about a year and none of his vets think it’s anything to worry about. No white discharge.
I’m freaking out. Is sneezing once a day enough to cause concern or should I write it off as hay or hair in the absence of other symptoms?

[MoxieMeadows]

IDK if any o this will help you but I’ll just explain my bun’s “condition” a bit.

What do you mean by sneezing? A little “choo” or a sneeze attack (several sneezes in a row)?
My rabbit has sneeze attacks, several sneezes in a row often ended by a coughing hacking noise (Luckily these sneeze attacks have lowered in frequency). She also has a frequent damp nose, but no other “symptoms”.

I took her to the vet to have a culture and trachea wash done. The culture was insufficient (as it often times is) but they ended up doing a cytology. The did find bacteria that often points to Pastuerella (“Snuffles”) (although a lot of rabbits have that bacteria in their nasal passages anyway, without being sick from it) and also signs of inflammation, caused by allergies.
I find keeping Moxie’s area VERY clean, helps her a lot. Minimizing irritants like perfumes, lotions, air fresheners, dryer sheets, ect. help. An air purifier would help as well. (allergies or not, irritants are not good for snuffles).

I would definitely phone your vet…
Good luck!

[OliverBun]

It’s just one sneeze. Not a sneezing fit.

[flemishwhite]

Our bunny, Bunny, began having sneezing fits in her old age.  From what I read, all rabbits have a bacteria in their respitory system that will cause the sneezing, but their immune system keeps this bacteria under control….until they get older.  Bunny began sneezing when she was about 10 years old and then we had to start giving her antibiotics.  A long term application of the antibiotics..it took a couple of weeks …cured the sneezing problem. 

[OliverBun]

Wow that’s really interesting! Olive is almost 11 so it could definitely be something similar.

This antibiotic sensitivity is so frustrating with him. I will definitely be speaking to the vet on Monday.

[jerseygirl]

Have you tried injectable antibiotics with him?

Something easy to do with him is pop him in a steamed up bathroom. The steam may help loosen anything mucous that’s irritating him. Some people use saline and a nebuliser to help snuffly rabbits.

I’ve been considering getting one of those baby (room) humidifiers to help a couple of my rabbits. Using just water or saline. I’m just haven’t figured out how to safely and effectively use it. I suppose just using in bathroom is a place to start..

[OliverBun]

No. My vet suggested trying injecting penicillin. But we haven’t. Why do you ask?

[jerseygirl]

Posted By OliverBunny on 4/09/2016 5:27 AM
No. My vet suggested trying injecting penicillin. But we haven’t. Why do you ask?

Ear infections can be really difficult to treat (as you know!) and you need to bring out the “big guns”. Often an injectable antibiotic along with an oral one. Though oral sounds like it’s not best option for Oliver if he’s been this sensitive. The good thing with injectables is you’re bypassing the gut. Injectable penicillin can be really effective. Some rabbits can be sensitive to it and it trigger gut upset, but generally, it’s tolerated well. If he can’t handle penicillin, injectable baytril or chloramphenicol might be some alternatives to try.

[OliverBun]

Alright I’ll talk to my vet about that when I talk to her on Monday. We can generally go about a week before he starts losing his appetite so I definitely think it’s a gut thing not a reaction to the antibiotics.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By OliverBunny on 4/09/2016 8:25 AM

Alright I’ll talk to my vet about that when I talk to her on Monday. We can generally go about a week before he starts losing his appetite so I definitely think it’s a gut thing not a reaction to the antibiotics.

So you think from the stress of being given the oral meds maybe? I remember you said he’s on metacam also. I *think* that can depress the appetite sometimes. But without it, there’s pain and that will affect appetite too. So it’s a bit of a catch 22. 

Vitamin B is supposed to help with appetite. Maybe something to ask vet about? Also, rabbits with head tilt are often given things like meclizine that can help with dizziness and nausea. Maybe something like that could help. 

[OliverBun]

He was taken off metacam about a year ago due to appetite loss. He’s now on daily gabapentin for his arthritis.

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