Still Concerned

[alexa]

Spooky still seems to sneeze quite a bit. He has a runny nose a lot, and eye boogies. But its all clear usually. Sometimes he will have a little white booger, but I will just clean it off. He acts perfectly normal. Eats great, poops and pees great, runs around and binky’s all the time. But I’m worried about the sneezing and runny nose.

 

Do you tihnk its just allergies or something more serious? He seems to be mostly when he is out running around the room, which are hardwood so there is probably dust and stuff from around the house on the floor. And aslo sometimes in his cage– which could be the hay or food dust.

I dunno what it is, but I don’t want to take him to the vet unless you guys are concerened. Mostly because I don’t really have the money to right now, but I can go if I absolutely need to. I am planning on getting him neutered in Janurary when I will have extra money, wondering if I can just wait until then to talk to the doctor about it.

[KatnipCrzy]

Any respiratory issues or infections need to be cleared up before surgery/anesthesia.  I would call your vet and see what they recommend- since they saw him recently they may or may not just prescribe more meds or different meds- or they might need to see him.  Worth a call though!

[RabbitPam]

Sorry, but this is not normal for a rabbit, and I think you need to take him to the vet. It sounds like a cold or illness, not an allergy. Bunnies do not tend to be allergic to dust and hays because that is their natural surrounding in the wild (dirt, underground, grasses, fields, etc.) so it may have been mentioned here on occasion but overall it’s not common. A cold or infection is.

This is a tough time around the holidays for an added expense, so ask your vet if you can set up a billing arrangement. She may be open to sending it in January, or taking partial payment now and the rest next month. Also, if you get into a bigger expense for something this month, many credit unions (mine does) have a “holiday loan” which is a very small loan to cover short term expenses that you can pay back next year. Check it out, if you are tighter than usual. You should try to budget for bunny expenses regularly because this will come up. (I know – I have borrowed from my savings for bunny/car emergencies, but I try to pay myself back, too.)

[alexa]

What about smoke? My roommates smoke cigarettes in the house sometimes.

[Karla]

Yes, pets are just as affected by smoke as we are. I know a vet who said that she often saw lung cancer in cats with owners who smoked, and I know of a few smoking dog owners whose dogs have asthma.

So, it’s a possibility. Some are more sensitive to smoking than others. But it is really difficult to test. Only way to find out was if you moved out and saw a difference. Even if they stop smoke, the particles will be in the air and in all the fabric. It won’t help either if they smoke outside, because the particles are still in the clothes and in their hair.

[alexa]

I realized there was old hay in the rolling hay ball thing that I forgot about– so I got that out and I am going to change his bedding and see what that does. I aired out my room today and swept and dusted- MAN it was dusty. But I have the windows open still and it feels much better in here.

I’m gonna feed him some dark leafy greens to get some more vitamins in his system.

Gonna take him this weekend though if I don’t see much of a difference.

Any other suggestions?

[Sarita]

Yes, smoking is not good for rabbits delicate respiratory system.

It wouldn’t hurt to have the vet do a culture and sensitivity test as well.

[Author]

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