Sneezing/Coughing after getting a drink (Added ? on 11/29)

[LBJ10]

I’m hoping I’m getting closer to what if wrong with Wooly. If you haven’t read my other thread(s), the vet believes Wooly’s messed up third eyelid is causing issues with his sinuses. I am currently giving him Benadryl by mixing it in the water. The hope is that his sinuses will dry up. I’m supposed to report back to the vet. Two weeks would be Friday, but because of the holiday I’m thinking I will try calling tomorrow.

Today wasn’t the first time I heard Wooly making this noise. It isn’t the quiet little sneeze that I’m used to. It is a lot more audible. He sort of sneezes/coughs after drinking some water. It almost sounds like a gag or a hiccup, although I know bunnies can’t really gag.

Well ever since I have been giving the rabbits this “wonderful” water. They have been kind of pushing and shoving each other to get a drink whenever I refresh their water.

Could Wooly be sucking water up his nose? He has always insisted on drinking from a bottle. I’m tempted though to try the bowl again.

Thoughts on this? Or should I be worried and take him back to the vet again?

[Sarita]

Is it possible the benadryl is making him dehydrated and he is just gulping the water up? Are you even noticing a difference with the benadryl as far as his runny nose issues.

I know it’s not dental since you have said the vet said he had the best teeth ever :~)

[LBJ10]

There has been no discharge from his nose recently. Hmm, it could be making his mouth dry. I just thought they both liked it since they gulp it down like crazy. LOL
So you think he is just drinking too fast when he drinks then?

And yep, he has the best teeth ever. =)

[Sarita]

I have not used benedryl in a very long time but I do use other antihistamines regularly and they dry you out terribly and I know with mucinex – which I believe is an antihistamine of some form they recommend you drink alot ot water when taking this.

So I imagine he is needing to drink alot of water and perhaps he does drink it too fast as he may be parched.

I wonder if you should maybe lower the dosage or do you only need to give it when he is symptomatic.

[LBJ10]

The vet said to give it to him for now and then report back with how he’s doing. I am assuming it is supposed to be on an “as needed” basis, but we wanted to see if it was actually helping first.

[LBJ10]

Okay, so I talked to the vet. We’re going to try reducing the dosage and offering him a bowl. He has always refused a bowl, but we will try. Hopefully he will slow down a little. That is what I’m worried about, that he may be getting water up his nose.

[LBJ10]

*sigh* I was reminded today why bowls can be such a pain. Went to check on them this morning and I found an empty water bottle and a full bowl of water with poo floating in it. Ugh. Yeah, they don’t like the bowl much. On the bright side though, I filled the water bottle and changed the water in the bowl and there was no wrestling match that followed. Maybe the Benadryl was just making them feel more thirsty.

[Stickerbunny]

If you think he’s drinking too fast on the medicine with the bowl, you could always get one of those spouts that only lets a little out at a time maybe. Stickers will sneeze/shake her head when she eats or drinks too fast, even from a bowl or plate, so not sure a bowl would have helped much if the problem was drinking too fast. How naughty of them to poo in it though. lol

[LBJ10]

Well they were drinking fast and having shoving matches at the same time. That’s why I thought he was getting water up his nose. So I suppose I could remedy part of it by having 2 water bottles. Like I said, with the water bowl there, they weren’t going insane this morning. They are definitely wanting to drink more than they used to. The reason why is unknown. It’s either the Benadryl is making them thirsty or they just think it tastes good and they want to drink it all down.

[LBJ10]

Question – Wooly is still sneezing a little bit, but it isn’t loud like it was before we made the switch. The vet said to report back later with an update. Assuming this drinking water thing is part of the problem, how long do you think it will take for things to clear up? I mean, yes, it is very possible that there will always be a bit of a problem with his third eyelid. But he should be sounding better once he expels any excessive fluid from getting water up his nose, right?

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