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[HappyWifey]

Oreo is pretty sick with a respiratory infection it looks like. For about 2 weeks he has had eyes that weep excessively, which I have been treating with eye drops, but not as regular as I should. Today I noticed that he sneezed and had white mucous on his nose. I gave him some fresh oregano and ACV water with some grapefruit seed extract in it. He is a little more lethargic than normal, but the difference isn't huge. His lips and tongue are normal pink. But he is not attacking my sister like he normally does (he is very sweet but hates her because she is his nemesis' mama) which causes me to think he must be sicker than I realize! He also every now and then has a slight wheezing noise in his nose.

My DH is picking up a cage for him tonight so he can be inside, but I am wondering if it would be best for him to be inside or outside? At this time 5pm Alaska time ( 6pm pacific, 8pm central) he has been inside for nearly 3 hours, I need to put him outside in his cage for a potty break but will that hurt him for the temp. change? (30 degrees difference) Or should I just make him a box to see if he will go in that and not let his body have to deal with the shock of the temperature change on top of his not feeling well.

[aTurtleDove]

  It sounds like your rabbit has the "snuffles". I was able to find some info on it too. But you might need to end up calling the vet.
 I have had rabbits b/f, so you can ask more questions if you need.  I don't know everything, I assure you.

Upper Respiratory Infection ("Snuffles")
Rabbits can suffer from infections of the upper respiratory tract (the sinuses and other parts of the tract that are not actually parts of the lungs), and this is usually manifested as runny nose, runny eyes and sneezing. Unlike a human cold, which is caused by a virus, rabbit upper respiratory infections are caused by bacteria. The condition is commonly called "snuffles."

"Snuffles" is is a non-specific, "catch-all" term used to describe such symptoms without naming the specific cause.. Until fairly recently, many veterinarians believed that "snuffles" was almost always caused by the bacterial pathogen Pasteurella multocida, commonly found in rabbits (though often without causing any problematic symptoms at all). More recent information suggests that many different species of bacteria can cause "snuffles." Some of the bacteria most commonly cultured from rabbit nasal discharge include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Staphylococcus aureus, though there are many others.

Because bacterial species (and their different strains) have characteristic sensitivity and resistance to various antibiotics, it is worth your investment to allow your veterinarian to positively identify the pathogen (i.e., disease-causing agent) your bunny has. The best way is via a CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY test. This laboratory test is the only way to determine (1) the species of bacteria causing the infection and (2) which rabbit-safe antibiotics will be most effective at killing them.

If your rabbit is sneezing and/or shows signs of nasal and/or ocular discharge, especially if such discharge is whitish and thickened, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian and have a sample of nasal discharge taken and sent to a laboratory for culture and sensitivity testing. Once your vet receives the results of the C & S test, s/he will be better able to prescribe the particular antibiotic (or combination of antibiotics) that should be safest and most effective for your rabbit's infection.

Antibiotic therapy may need to be continued for several weeks, and it should always be continued for several days after symptoms have disappeared to ensure that as much of the bacterial population as possible has been killed. Follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully, and be sure to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms go away before the medicine is gone. The reason for this? Even the most effective antibiotics might not kill some of the more resistant bacteria right away. Removing the drug too soon will leave only these particularly hardy individuals to be the progenitors of the new population of bacteria in your rabbit's sinuses, and these will be genetically better able to resist the antibiotics you have been using (i.e., the population has evolved resistance to the antibiotics). Don't stop the antibiotics early, and don't put off treatment! A seemingly simple condition such as sneezing could develop into a potentially life-threatening problem, such as pneumonia or a systemic infection.

Lower Respiratory Infection
A rabbit with pneumonia may show symptoms such as loud, raspy breathing, and may point his nose high in the air and stretch his neck in an attempt to get more oxygen. A rabbit in this condition is critically ill, and in need of oxygen therapy at your veterinarian's clinic. Experienced rabbit veterinarians will often nebulize such a bunny with oxygen as well as products to open the airways (e.g. aminophylline) and to loosen the mucus and infective material in the lungs (e.g., acetylcysteine solution, brand name "MucoMyst"). In some cases, the veterinarian will add appropriate antibiotics to the nebulization mix, depending on what a culture and sensitivity test indicates.
Foreign Bodies
In some instances, a foreign object (such as a strand of hay, or a bit of food pellet) lodged in the nasal passage has been found to be the cause of runny nose and apparent chronic nasal infection. Sometimes such a foreign body is not visible without the aid of an endoscopic examination by your veterinarian. Once the item has been located, it is usually necessary to anesthetize the rabbit to allow removal of the object without danger.

In other cases, nasal polyps or other growths are found to be at the root of chronic upper respiratory symptoms. But surprisingly, one of the most common culprits causing chronic "snuffles" is undiagnosed dental problems.

Dental Disorders and Chronic Runny Eyes/Nose
Many people are surprised at how common dental problems are in rabbits, and even more puzzled to learn that such problems can cause symptoms such as runny eyes and nose. This is more often seen in older rabbits, as these have had time to develop molar spurs, or molar root problems that can cause inflammation or even develop into infections that spread to the sinuses.

In some older rabbits, gradual onset of metabolic bone disease results in loss of bone density (osteoporosis), especially in the already light bones of the skull. When this happens, the molar and/or incisor roots can very gradually be pushed into the thinning bone as the rabbit chews.

Because rabbit teeth grow continually, the visible portion of the teeth may appear entirely normal. It is only upon radiography that the root problem becomes visible as an intrusion of the tooth roots into the skull bones. This sometimes been called "root overgrowth," though the term is a bit of a misnomer. The roots are not actually "growing" into the skull, but are being pushed there.

A rabbit's molars are located almost directly under the eyes. Hence, molar root intrusion into the skull bones can cause occlusion (blockage) of the tear ducts, which run through the skull bones, close to the roof of the mouth, just above the tooth roots. A blocked tear duct will cause tearing and runny eyes, since the tears cannot flow through the ducts and into the back of the mouth, where the duct normally empties. A narrowed duct is more susceptible to becoming plugged with mucus or bacteria. If the duct is not completely occluded, it is often possible for your vet to flush the ducts and help restore normal flow. Whatever discharge comes out the nose from the flush can be A rabbit's molars are located almost directly under the eye socket. When molar problems (spurs, root intrusion, abscess) develop, symptoms such as runny eyes can be a clue that something's amiss. collected and sent to a lab for culture and sensitivity testing.

Severe molar root intrusion can also be the cause of retrobulbar abscesses (i.e., abscesses located behind the eye, inside the skull). In some cases, the root has been known to puncture through the bone of the eye socket and into the eyeball itself, causing an intraocular (i.e., inside the eyeball) infection. Such severe problems may require the expertise of a licenses veterinary ophthalmologist, and your own vet may be able to refer you to one in your area, if necessary.

Even incisor (front tooth) roots can be pushed backwards into the skull and occlude the tear ducts. Again, this is usually visible only with radiography. Although your vet may suggest that incisor or molar removal may solve the teary eye problem, there are no guarantees. If the chronic trauma to the area already has caused enough scarring in the bone, even tooth removal may not open a blocked duct. You and your vet should confer to decide whether complete tooth removal to attempt to restore tear duct function is worth the risk.

Alleviating the Symptoms of Runny Eyes and Runny Nose
Runny eyes that cannot be permanently repaired via tear duct flush may cause skin burns and irritation where the caustic tears collect on the skin. It is usually helpful to apply warm washcloth compresses to the affected areas daily, to help soften the dried tears, and then gently rub them away. A fine-toothed, small flea comb may be useful in helping remove softened crusts from the fur.

One excellent way to help a bunny with chronic runny eyes is to allow him/her to choose a spayed/neutered mate from among those at your local rabbit rescuer's foster home. Bonded bunnies spend a good deal of time grooming each other's faces, and we know of some bonded bunnies who once had very irritated skin from constant tearing who became completely symptom-free once they had mates to groom away those tears.

A very clogged nose is definitely a problem, as rabbits are obligate nasal breathers. You can help clear your bunny's nose temporarily by gently suctioning with a pediatric ear syringe. Ask your vet about using a mild, pediatric antihistamine such as Benadryl to help shrink swollen nasal membranes. Together with a tear duct flush, which also helps flush the nasal passages, these treatments can be very effective at clearing the bunny's breathing route.

Whatever the cause of your bunny's problem, the sooner you allow your vet to perform the right tests and prescribe the proper treatment, the better your bunny will be able to breathe easily and be on the road to better health.

Back to Rabbit Health Central.

Back to H.A.R.E. - HouseRabbit Rescue Adoption and Education (House Rabbit Society of Miami, FL).

 HTH HappyWifey,

 - Shannon 

[JesiRaine]

I agree this sounds like snuffles.  Be careful in regards to other rabbits -- this is VERY contagious.  It can be transmitted between rabbits even if you handle one and don't wash hands thoroughly before handling another!

[HappyWifey]

Thanks, after posting this here I posted it on Facebook last night and received some great help. I think I almost lost him last night! I have been giving him 1 drop of Lobelia tincture on an as needed basis, and that immediately clears up any wheezing sounds. I also have a wet cloth with eucalyptus oil on it and that really helps him also.

He has had no more white discharge since early last night, and hasn't had any discharge from his nose at all. His eyes even seem a bit better. He is still a bit lethargic today though and every now and then he sneezes, but no discharge. I can't afford the vet at all, so what can I give him to boost his immune system so that he can get rid of it on his own?

My sisters rabbit had this for months, and she never did anything except put vinegar in his water and after about 2 weeks of that he was over it. Hopefully that will work for Oreo.

I just realized why he got it! Grr I am so upset at myself for being this stupid.. My sister got a small cage for her rabbit and brought him inside, and so we took the divider out from between their cages and let Oreo have the whole cage. I didn't even think of disinfecting it before I did that. 

[aTurtleDove]

  Echinacea, and spinach might help Oreo. The echinacea and will help build his immune system, and spinach will give plenty of calcium, vitaman c, and the good nutrients his body needs to fight the snuffles. I was going to suggest giving him garlic for his immune system, but I did some research and found out that any member of the onion family [onions (obviously), garlic, etc.] is toxic, it can even cause anaphalactic shock..or so I've heard. Anyway, just to let you know.

 I am glad he is doing better, but don't let that stop you from keep dosing him. I have learned the hard way; when I thought a pet was getting better, I have let up a little...and let's just say it doesn't always end happy. Not saying you do this, just a precaution.

 Shann

[HappyWifey]

Thanks! I thought about Echinacea tonight, and thankfully I found out a super easy way for him to take his "supplements". I just put a drop or two on the end of a carrot, rub it around and whala! He gorges himself! His appetite for his alfalfa pellets is lower than normal, but he is eating carrots voraciously, which is good since they will help him get better. I also noticed that he has eaten up nearly all of some (dried) corn that spilled on the carpet in an area I haven't been able to clean yet. Plus any millet and coconut that has leaked out of the bags stored in the living room, I think he encourages the leaks...

I came home after church having found him escaped from his little area and in my dads arms soaking up the attention, but unfortunately my dad was in the family room which is where the fireplace is and so he was SO hot! He even let my sister hold him and pet him with no problems. I brought him back in the apartment which is much cooler, and after a few minutes I could see his antagonism for Amie springing up, and within 10 minutes he chased her out of the apartment...  Which thankfully is very normal! 

I'm going to give him some echinacea and see how that helps. If it weren't for his lethargy I would thing him just fine.

I'll keep giving him supplements as long as I can until it has been a week or two since his last symptoms. I can't lose my little bunny. 

[aTurtleDove]

Thanks! I thought about Echinacea tonight, and thankfully I found out a super easy way for him to take his "supplements". I just put a drop or two on the end of a carrot, rub it around and whala! He gorges himself! Cheesy His appetite for his alfalfa pellets is lower than normal, but he is eating carrots voraciously, which is good since they will help him get better. I also noticed that he has eaten up nearly all of some (dried) corn that spilled on the carpet in an area I haven't been able to clean yet. Plus any millet and coconut that has leaked out of the bags stored in the living room, I think he encourages the leaks... Tongue

You're welcome! I am glad that he will take it! So do you have a tincture of Echinacea, is that how you give him drops of it? Or are you just using Echinacea tea?

 

came home after church having found him escaped from his little area and in my dads arms soaking up the attention, but unfortunately my dad was in the family room which is where the fireplace is and so he was SO hot! He even let my sister hold him and pet him with no problems. I brought him back in the apartment which is much cooler, and after a few minutes I could see his antagonism for Amie springing up, and within 10 minutes he chased her out of the apartment...  Roll Eyes Which thankfully is very normal!  Cheesy

Awww! Lil' bugger! Well, I am glad he is showing signs of improvement! That is really encouraging, huh? So no discharge today?

 

'll keep giving him supplements as long as I can until it has been a week or two since his last symptoms. I can't lose my little bunny.  Cry

Yes, it sounds like a very good idea. It gives his body time to rebuild what it needs, instead of just stopping right when he shows signs of improvement, and causing his body to soon lack it's nutrients, making it harder for his recovery.

 Shannon

[HappyWifey]

I have the tincture, I put one drop strait on a carrot. He noticed yesterday there was something on the carrot, and just nibbled at it for a sec until I guess he decided it tasted fine or something!

Yep no more discharge. He seems to be 100% his normal self, even his eyes are clearing up!

Thanks for the help!

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