URI – Vet says it’s gone but bunny keeps sneezing

[Celamentum]

So I posted a while ago about my rabbit Milky who had a URI for the past half a year.

About a month ago, I took him to the vet for another follow up on his condition and the doctor said the infection was gone! Except… I’m kind of skeptical.

He gave me one last round of medications, told me i didn’t need to get another refill and recommended that I feed Milky lots of water and gave me saline solution to nebulize to help loosen all the gunk in his nasal passages. He told me the reason Milky keeps sneezing is because he’s trying to clear it all out, like how people after a cold will still cough of phlegm for weeks even after they’ve recovered.

I’ve always been under the impression you keep treatment up until the sneezing stops… but I trusted the guy and have done as he said.

One month later, Milky is still sneezing, although very infrequently. 

I still clean his cage every day, I recently added a humidifier to my room because it does help alleviate his sneezing symptoms more than doing several sessions a day with the nebulizer. 

Other than sneezing, I haven’t heard any other signs of the URI coming back. He’s still eating and drinking as usual although he energy level is still not 100% the way it used to be. I haven’t seen any signs of pain or discomfort when he does have a little sneezing fit. I haven’t heard the bubbling/rattling sound in his chest when he breathes either. There is still discharge coming from his eyes and from his nose but it’s mostly clear with a few small white chunks when it comes from his nose. Overall, there’s a lot less discharge than when he was much sicker. 

Anyway, I’ve been considering taking him back to the vet for another check up because i’m still concerned… but i’m also wondering if i’m just being paranoid and that Milky is still just recovering and doing good…

Has anyone ever been in a situation where their vet said the infection was gone but their rabbit continued sneezing for a long period afterwards? ;~;

Thank you

[Theo&Mickey]

Have you tried using echinacea in Milky’s water? I did that with my bunny after 6 weeks treatment for a URI – the vet said he was ok and didn’t need antibiotics anymore, but, he began to sneeze again.. I was wary of putting him back on antibiotics and decided to try some herbal treatment. It worked! After 2 days of echinacea, he was no longer sneezing and had no discharge. I don’t know if it was a coincidence but I suspect not.

I used Solgar echinacea capsules – 4 capsules to 1/2 a gallon of boiled water, mix and let cool.
Then I stored it in the fridge and added 1/4 of the mixture to his water bowl daily. The amount I used works more like an antibiotic than an immune booster.
Seemed to do the trick!

It’s good you’re using a humidifier in the room, that will definitely help things along.

[Wick & Fable]

I think Wick still sneezed occasionally a few weeks after we ended treatment.

If it gets worse or if you notice any discharge returning, definitely make an appointment. I’d give your vet just a call and let them know, asking them if this seems typical or not.

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.

[Celamentum]

I have been giving him some echinacea tincture! maybe i’ll up the amount i’m giving him and see if it makes a different T__T I’ve been giving him echinacea almost the entire time he”s been sick

I was hesitant with putting a humidifier in my room because i heard that humidifiers can sometimes make URI worst?? but i also read instances where it helped but i thought it would be worth a shot because I often work 8h shifts and couldn’t nebulize saline solution for him in those periods T__T but I’m glad it’s been helpful in the end!

and okay ;A; i’m glad that it’s not uncommon for bunny’s to sneeze after treatment thank you!

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