chronic upper respiratory infection

[tonyshuman]

We (bf and I) have been trying to adopt a big beautiful girlie from a shelter here, but she has been dealing with an URI for a long time. They are having a lot of trouble treating her, and her foster mom says she may just be one of those bunnies that has chronic URIs, requiring a lot of trips to the vet and frequent treatment for URI. Has anyone heard of this? I haven't before, so I was surprised. It's not that I don't trust this fosterer, but I'm not sure she has the best vet advice on her side. We really fell for her, so we really want her, but I don't think our job schedules wil work with having a special needs bunny that needs frequent (and probably expensive) vet treatment.:?

 

[Cove]

I hear about it all the times with cats, so it only makes sense to me that it happens in other animals as well.

They can go for months without having an "outbreak" and then boom, or it could only be a few good weeks or days before they get it again. Usually once the vet knows theanimal's problem its a simple task of taking theanimal in getting its weight, a quick once over and then they get a strip of antibiotics for the next week or two. But I'm not sure if its the same way in bunnies.

They thought my tripod kitty was chronic but it just turned out to be a really stubborn infection and after weeks of being in the animal hospital she was finally cleared to go home. Hopefully its just a stubborn infection andthe little gal isn't chronic so you can adopt her.

 

[pla725]

We've had a few rabbits in my rescue that got stubborn URIs that were resistant to different antibiotics. The last resort was Pen G. It does seem to work.

 

[ra7751]

Umm....you might have very well answered your own question regarding vet care. Most vets that work with shelters are primarily dog and cat vets....and no intention to flame them but most have no clue how to treat a rabbit. First, you need confirmation that it is a URI. Could be an ocular or dental issue too....those can sometimes present as a URI and are often misdiagnosed by those not familiar with the way a rabbit works. And it could a a URI or any combination of the other infections that is made worse by the stress of the environment. Has a culture been performed on the discharge....my bet is know so most likely the vet is shotgunning either Baytril or one of the Sulfa drugs.....neither is very effective and Sulfa in a rabbit can sometimes lead to Tyzzer's Disease...or so the evidence appears. I also don't buy into "chronic URIs"....if there is an infection, there is a reason for that infection. Find the root cause and treat it. Something like Pasteurella will always be present but can be controlled. The key to resolving this issue is to identify the pathogen, find the root cause as to why this bacteria is there and treat it properly with drugs that are effective against that pathogen....very simple. At one time we could pretty much count on pasteurella being the prime suspect...but not these days. In today's changing world, anything is possible. We have even seen some rare strep strains in rabbits.

My suggestion is to get her out of there and find her a rabbit savvy vet. Get the cause of the problem treated. With proper treatment and a good environment, I bet things will work out well. And as far as the costs of vet visits....if you maintain a good relationship with your vet, they can do lots of things for you. Many clinics will offer discounts if they know the animal they are working with is a rescue. They know the condition of many of them....and you show your passion in taking a rescue knowing there might be some issues. They quickly realize how serious you are about your rabbit. I have an entire staff of veterinary professionals...support people, techs and vets.....on my volunteer list just because they appreciate my passion for my animals both domestics and wild. Let your vet know you rescued this rabbit knowing it was sick and that you would appreciate any help you could get. As long as you don't take unfair advantage of the relationship....you might be suprised.

Randy

 

[tonyshuman]

Ok, thanks guys. I'm just not sure what to believe because this bunny is being fostered by a very knowledgeable lady who works at the shelter and has manny bunnies of her own. She says she has "a couple" that have chronic URIs of her own. I don't know where they get vet care, but it does sound strange to me that no antibiotic could make it go away. I don't know if the shelter will adopt out a sick bunny to us, but it is worth asking. I just am torn because we've wanted this bunny since August when we first saw her, and you just don't see bunnies like her in shelters around here. I'll talk to my bf about adopting her knowing she's sick and trying to get maybe some better vet care for her (we take our guys to the UW vet hospital, which is very good). However, since we both work more than full-time, I'd be worried that we couldn't carry out the type of care regimen she might need. We may end up adopting a healthy bunny instead, also in case the shelter won't adopt out sick guys. Thanks for your help, and I hope it's something that can be cleared up, both for her sake and her potential adopters (ie us!).

 

[tonyshuman]

So, I do love my shelter, they do a lot of good work for their bunnies, but they are a bit old school. Most bunnies get Petromalt every day... and they use clumping cat litter in their boxes (under a HUGE pile of hay I might add, so they never quite get to it, but it still makes me nervous). In any case, I don't doubt that their vet may be primarily a dog/cat vet, and I'm willing to try to heal this little girl.

What's the delicate way to ask "Does your vet know what he's doing?" to the foster mom? Or should I just assume that she hasn't been treated properly? Do I ask "Has she had Pen G?" "Has the vet done a culture?"? I'm pretty sure it's URI because she was described has having green boogers. The foster mom has bunnies of her own that have "chronic upper respiratory infections," so I don't want to step on her toes either. Not to mention that not only does she decide who gets to adopt, but as a volunteer there, she's my boss's boss. Not sure if they'll even LET us adopt her while she's sick.

A final note, however, this isn't my crusade. The BF is the one who wants a friend for his guy, and if he wants to go the safe route with a bunny that is not sick and we're able to take on a date with Benjamin (we wouldn't be able to put this bunny and him together until she's been cured), that's what will happen. Also, I'm financially doing better than the BF, who has a crappy old car (ie money hole). Such a sticky situation.

 

[Maureen Las]

Please tell me this is not Dane County Humane Society

 

[paralegal]

Hi, last year, one of my bunnies had this infection and it was very nasty and very life threatening. she would not eat or drink and just lay there doing nothing. The vet checked her and diagnosed URI. I had to syringe feed her, give her water from a syringe, inject her with anti biotics. For the first 24/48 hours she was completely lifeless and I was convinced she would die.Fortunately, she survived and is still going strong. I find it strange that antibiotics are not helping if this is what she has. Is she eating and drinking, does she act normally. if so, I think it will be worth getting a second opinion if you can as i am aware of the illness, but not for it to continuously stay and the rabbit be ok. Hope this helps as if it isnt URI and something else, they may be giving her the wrong medication.

Good luck!!

 

[naturestee]

Holy old post!

Tonyshuman, whatever happened with this bun?

 

[tonyshuman]

Don't know. We ended up taking Benjamin on a date with an adoptable bunny at the shelter and it clicked. I assume this girl is still in foster care. A few of her brothers have come up as adoptables, but not her. Strange story, no real answer, but we got Frida and all is well with our clan.