Help! They're all sick all of a sudden,

[gentle giants]

Ok, I now have a third bun that has a wet nose and sneezing. This has kinda sneaked up on me, whaever this is seems to be slow to spread, and I hadn't really caught it till tonight. Anyway, here's what I've got. It seems to start with a wet nose and progress to sneezing. There's no diareaha, lack of appetite, or anything, just the wet nose going into sneezing.
Obviously, I can't haul all 26 into the vet, so it's home treatment. I am looking at my bunny catalog and trying to decide what to get, I need some advice from my bunny mentors.
Here is what I am seeing in the catalog, and if anyone knows of something that isn't on this list let me know I will find it somewhere.
1. Tylan 50 Injectable for colds and pneumonia.
2. Liquamyicin injectable.
3. Polyotic antibiotic soluble powder. Use in water for treatment of colds.
4.Aureomycin (Chlortetracycline) soluble powder used in the treatment of snuffles, infections, etc.
5. Penicillin G 300,000 units per cc, a sterile suspension foruse as an aid in the treatment of pneumonia, foot rot, wound infections and mastitis.
Am I better off to go with something like the penicillin that sort of covers all the bases? Or something more specific, like the Tylan? I also have a doe that has a wet matted looking tail, and I have no idea what that's about either! Help!

 

[Jess_sully]

Since many of them have the same symptoms and you can't take all of them to the vet, the best advice I have for you is to take one and get a diagnosis, and then either buy the meds the vet reccomends for the rest of the buns from the mag, or explain the situation to the vet and get a lot more of it? That could be expensive, though.

Good luck!

 

[Pipp]

I think most people here will strongly recommend a Culture and Sensitivity test on at least one of them, otherwise you stand a good chance ofpaying for drugs that may do nothing at all for your particular problem. The time, effort and money wasted on treatments that won't work (not to mention the possible losses to your herd) will probably equalthe vet bill. It doesn't sound like an allergy or sudden influx of dust or anything that, so I don't think you have a lot of choice.

Hope you get it sorted out soon and they all get back to beingbright-eyed, dry-nosed and bushy tailed. ray:

sas

What is it?
From Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html

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.

 

[Haley]

I agree, I would take at least one to the vet to get a culture and sensitivity b4 you start any treatment. My boy Max has had a runny nose (clear, thin discharge) and a sneeze for a few months now. The vet put him on Baytril 2x (the first time we only did 10 days, and longer the second). Thisdid nothing and I paid over 100 for the visits and meds.

Today I went infor a third visit and I suggested the C & S test. We're still waiting on the results. I really wish wewouldve just done the test first..mightve saved me a lot of money.

Good Luck and Im praying for all your babies.

Haley

 

[pamnock]

Could be the changes in the weather, or a more serious problem. I'd advise taking one in - the vet will most likely start everyone on Baytril. If possible, separate any that are sneezing.

Pam

 

[gentle giants]

Ok, so I am taking one of the girls in on Thursday morning. I specifically asked for the culture and sensitivity test, so we'll see what happens. I didn't think to ask how much it would cost though, I need to go balance my checkbook....:?

 

[RogerL]

Is the discharge from their nose clear or thick and white?

I would advise a culture as well but I would also look at the feed

to see if it is dusty. I had this happen once and I was in a panic.

The feed was dusty and causing them to sneeze.

Roger L

 

[gentle giants]

It's clear... How would I tell if the feed is dusty? Just sort of stir it around and see if a cloud comes up?

 

[RogerL]

Clear is a good sign.

You can see the dust if you shake it around a little.

I kind of have an advantage of sorts. I am allergic to dust and

mould. If it makes me sneeze and full up it doesn't go to the rabbits.

It could also be something in the hay or bedding if that is new.

I would still get one tested at the vets though.

Roger

 

[gentle giants]

I have switched from alfalfa to grass hay in the last few weeks, but I am getting it from the same guy as before. Could that make the difference?

 

[Pipp]

Ah, I thought this was something gradual that was spreading through the herd? That's the only reason I didn't think it was a sudden influx of dust or something. If it's all been since the change, it's very possible it is dust and/or allergies. Do some experimenting. Hope that's all it is!

sas

 

[gentle giants]

Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not really sure now that I think about it. It started with Black Rose, the one I'm taking in tomorow, would sneeze sometimes, and it has turned into sneezing fits. I'm kinda rooting through my memory here, cause I want to say the sneezing fits start right after I have fed her. She isn't the only one in the cage, she has a litter of almost weaned kits in with her.

 

[gentle giants]

Ok, so the results are back on Rose's test. They didn't really tell me what she has, something about a viral infection, but they told me they have a whole list of antibiotics it is suceptible to. I'm going to have them mail me the whole list, but three things they told me over the phone are these: Tetracycline, Triple Sulpha, Enrofloxin. The problem is, none of those are in the bunny catalog I have on hand. I need to know if anyone knows where I can order these things, in a large enough amount to treat 30 rabbits. Any links would be great! Thanks.

 

[pamnock]

Tetracycline is Terramycin. You can order the powder and put it in the rabbit's water.

Most rabbit supply catalogs and feed stores carry it.

http://www.bassequipment.com/Default.aspx?TabId=36

 

[tamsin]

Enrofloxin is baytril Syringing it directly into their mouths is better to get the correct dose or provide a small amount of water/food with it so they eat it all before topping up.

You might want to feed a probiotic at the same time as anti-biotics can upset their tummies.

Tam

 

[gentle giants]

Ok, so what exactly is a probiotic, and what is the brand name of a fairly common one I could order? Thanks, BTW!

Just had a thought-they all get apple cider vinegar in thier water every day, would that help to keep their stomachs ok? Or should I stop doing that while they are on the meds?

 

[tamsin]

Antibiotics are designed to attack bacteria, but sometimes they do too good a job and upset the good bacteria in the gut that help with digestion. That's why antibiotics sometimes cause diahrea or put bunnies off their food. Probiotics are designed to replace the gut bacteria keeping the digestive system working. I'm in the UK so I'm not sure if the names are the same but Bio-Lapis or Avipro are both suitable for bunnies. I think both of those also have vitamins as an extra boost to unwell bunnies.

I'm not sure about the apple cider vinegar, it's not something I've come across.

Tamsin

 

[naturestee]

GG, a common brand of probiotic in the States is Bene-bac. You can get it at pet stores for cats, dogs, and birds, or at a vet's office. I like the vet's stuff because it has a little dial on it so you can squeeze out a certain weight amount. Mocha had it by prescription. She's just over 2 lbs and got 1 gram at a time, which was maybe the size of two peas.

It's supposed to be very rare for baytril to cause stomach problems and many vets feel that a probiotic is not needed with it. Fey did get mucousy diarrhea after a week on it, but she has a very sensitive stomach. If you know that certain rabbits are more sensitive to food changes or other meds, it's best that they get a probiotic with baytril. Otherwise you may not really need it. Especially since probiotics may not actually survive a rabbit's stomach or contain the correct bacteria for a rabbit. They won't hurt, and they're a nice safeguard, but they may or may not actually do anything to help.

 

[gentle giants]

Ok, it will probably come down to if I have enough $$ to get it or not. I am a little short on cash at the moment-but then, every time I start to get a little extra jingle, something like this always happens anyway!

Thanks a lot for your help, guys!