Funny Smudge on Nose Area

[Bill Jesse]

I have two rabbits who live apart and never get together but every six months or so get a funny dirt type of smudge on the corners of their nostrils. If you can picture the nose/mouth area of a rabbit the nostrils and upper lip form a "Y". These marks are at the very top corners of the "Y".

I have tried to rub them off but to no avail. Sometimes it looks like thick black hair. It is almost as if they are breathing dirt.

I had spoken to a vet who was unsure and asked me to reciord it photographically to see if it changes. I did that and would be happy to share the photos with anyone who may be interested or could help.

It does not seem to bother them at all and two other rabbits who are these rabbits partners, are not affected.

 

[majorv]

I would be interested to see the pictures. Do you know what breed(s) your rabbits are? There are at least two breeds who have body markings that get darker when the temps get colder. In Californians and Himalayans their nose, ears, tail and feet get dark while the rest of their body stays white. When temps warm up the markings fade, although they never completely go away. Is it possible that your rabbits have some of one of those breeds in them?

 

[LakeCondo]

If it's every 6 months approx, it doesn't sound temperature related, but I have no idea what it could be. Pictures surely would help.

 

[Bill Jesse]

One rabbit is a Dutch and the other a generic American tan. Breed unknown. How can I post/send photos unless I email them?

 

[majorv]

You can upload them to your picture Gallery (under Menu), then insert them in your post.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Seeing is believing. Ours sometimes get a color change, very slight, after a molt.

 

[Bill Jesse]

I have 3 photos on the site but cannot figure how to post them. I tried a new post and a new reply but there is no way I can get them on my postings.

 

[majorv]

If you hit reply to the thread you should see a menu of icons across the top. The last one is an italic "G". Click that and insert the photo from your Gallery.

 

[Bill Jesse]

will try.........

 

[pamnock]

Maybe pellet fines or cecals sticking around the nose?

 

[majorv]

Okay, hmmm, not what I thought it might be...:?

 

[Bill Jesse]

I have tried to rub it off nd even tugged at the ones on the tan bunny. Nothing. Yet in a day's time it may be gone. And as I wrote initially both of these associate with a partner yet they don't have it.

 

[LakeCondo]

You might try unscented baby wipes when trying to remove it.

 

[Bill Jesse]

That is an idea. The funny thing is they seem to come and go. The tan rabbit has little left and the Dutch's patch has faded. Sure has me baffled.

 

[Bill Jesse]

Still need ideas on this. The smudge on the black bunny's nose has moved to the left side. Thought maybe it was dusty hay but both of my other rabbits do not have the mark.

 

[JBun]

It looks to me like they may have a bit of a runny nose and dust is collecting in the discharge around their nose.

 

[Bill Jesse]

Based on the photos one of my rabbit gurus thinks it may be Pasturella.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Pasteurella is a very violent illness, not quite like this. Like Pam said, this just looks to be pellet dust or maybe stuck cecals. I see this occasionally on different bunnies.

 

[Bill Jesse]

Being a paranoid bunny parent I took her to the vet. This vet owns a rabbit so I have some confidence in her. Anyway she thinks its a small upper respiratory illness which will probably go on its own. She did not want to prescribe antibiotics but wanted me to obviously keep an eye on it.

The eyes are not runny, there is no sneezing or gobs of goo and she is acting very much normal. Could be from stress. However I still worry.

 

[Bill Jesse]

It has been two full days since I saw the vet with the black bunny. Nothing has changed. Sometimes it seems to go and then it comes back. I cannot say if she is wiping with her paws as she is still a wild bunny and it is difficult for me to hold her and check. Her eyes are still clear and she is still as active as always and eats more hay than a horse. I cannot tell if she is sneezing as I am not always with her.

When she saw the vet her lungs and upper respiratory system were checked and both were clear. She put a slide under her nostrils to see if she was breathing through both which she was.

The word pasteurella still frightens me and the fact she is living with another bunny has me concerned about her condition. But to seperate them would be cruel as they are literally bonded. I have read about the various precautions to take and except for changing my clothes each time I go near her, everything else is followed. Her bedding hay is changed daily and her food and water bowls are both washed with boiling water.

I feel somewhat down over this.