Runny nose, but not Snuffles?

[theevenstarlight]

I got a new Dwarf Hotot 8 week old bunny lastSunday. He had a runny nose and was sneezing a bit.He was eating just fine and pooping, too. He is still eatingand running around and pooping and acting normal, but his nose is stillrunny and looks a bit yellowish. I took him to the vet lastMonday (the day after I got him) and he said it wasn't Snuffles but itwas still an upper respiratory infection. The vet said hedidn't want to put him on antibiotic as long as he was eating andacting healthy. Will this just clear up on its own?I'm so confused, but I want him to get betterquickly so hewon't get worse andso my other bunny (who is in a separatecage) will not get sick! Has anyone else dealt with thisbefore?

 

[Haley]

Yes, they can have an URI without havingSnuffles. From what my vet said, they can also have Pasturellainfections being the cause of this,without having Snuffles.

How is his breathing? Is your vet rabbit-savvy? Ifits truly a bacterial infection, I dont think it will just clear up onits own. And it makes me nervous that he didnt want to treat it becausethese can progress into bronchitis and pneumonia. Both of which aremore difficult to treat. If your vet isnt rabbit-savvy, Iwould get a second opinion. I would think they would want to culturethe discharge and get him on whatever antibiotic the bacteria issensitive to. I know mine always puts them on Baytril first as aprecautionary measure while we wait for the results of theculture.

 

[pamnock]

Snuffles is simply a generic term for a rabbitexhibiting symptoms of a "cold". It does not imply anyparticular pathogen.

Pasteurella & bordatella are very common causes of "snuffles", but there are many other types of pathogens and causes.

I agree that treatment should be started. Baytril is mostcommonly prescribed. Unfortunately, many respiratoryillnesses in rabbits are chronic.

Pam

 

[JadeIcing]

Ok I have delt with this alot. To much if youask me. My vet says that they should be put on meds ASAP. If nottreated it progresses and can be alot worse. Make sure they run testand key in on what is causing it.

One of my guys had the same symptoms and was treated with onemed that later on turned out to have no effect on what he had. He wasto young for baytril at the time. My other bun wentuntreated(I blame my lack of bunny knowledge) forto long by the time he was treated it was very bad. He is finally on amed that seems to actually be working. By the way this oine haspastuerella.

 

[theevenstarlight]

Thanks everyone. I made an appointment for tomorrow (Tuesday) because I couldn't get in today.

The vet is the only one in town who deals with "exotics." Hedoes know about rabbits and treats them. He said he didn'twant to start him on an antibiotic unless he had to because sometimesthey can interfere with the good bacteria in the gut.

I called my other vet at home (I'm in college) and she said the samething as the other vet (it might just go away). But since ithasn't gone away, I'm starting to get worried. I hope he cantake Baytril until they figure out what it is.

How long does it usually take for a culture to come back?

I don't want to lose my new baby! I also don't want him to make my other rabbit sick.

So these things can be chronic? Does that mean he can't live with my other bunny (once they are both fixed)?

 

[theevenstarlight]

I changed the appointment to today. Imay miss class, but it's the only appointment available today, and Ireally want him to be seen ASAP.

 

[theevenstarlight]

What kind of antibiotics are safe for young rabbits? I think he is probably too young to take Baytril (9 weeks).

 

[JadeIcing]

Yea to young for baytril. Connor firstused Tribrissen but that didn't affect what he had. Key thing is findout what it is and than from there I can see if I can help you. I willhelp you anyway I can.

I am going through my research and notes on my boys. I will postwhatever I can. I also am calling the vet today about something else. Iwill ask about meds ok.

 

[Haley]

Oh wow, I didnt know he was so young :?

A culture usually takes at least a few days if they have to send itaway. Mine has to send it to Michigan State so it usually takes atleast 4-5 days for them to get a partial culture. If they have to waitfor a full culture it can take a week or more.

Yes, these infections can be chronic, but just work on getting himbetter now. If he gets better you should have no problem bonding him.Also, my Max has chronic respiratory problems and his bonded buddyBasil has never shown any symptoms, but it can be contaigious, so becareful for now.

Im not sure if there are any antibiotics safe for babies. That may bewhy your vet wanted to wait. I didnt realize the age thing.

I did find an article byDanaKrempels, Ph.D., who owns and runs Etherbun. Hereswhat she said on batril for babies:

There is some question as to whether Baytril (or otherfluoroquinolones) should be given to baby mammals, as it has been shownto cause problems with cartilage development in dogs. No oneknows whether it does this in rabbits, nor if the normal therapeuticdoses for treating bacterial infections would be enough to cause suchproblems.

Given the choice between dying of an infection and *possibly* havingcartilage problems, though, I'd use the antibiotics. I havegiven ciprofloxacin and Baytril to baby rabbits and not seen anyadverse side effects.

But this was a more serious case of infection due to surgery.http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/Baby-Bunny-1.htm

Im hoping someone esle will have some advice for you.

 

[theevenstarlight]

Thanks for helping everyone. I'm taking him to the vet now and will let you know what happens.

 

[theevenstarlight]

The vet gave him a shot of Baytril, as Ithink he said this method won't hurt the bunny's stomach. Thevet said he has given young babies Baytril before. I amsupposed to do this 11 more times but I'm a little nervous because I'venever given a rabbit anything subcutaneouslybefore.

 

[JadeIcing]

You are giving the shots? I have done it not fun.

 

[Haley]

Did he show you how? Feel free to pm me or JadeIcing if you need help. Its pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

 

[JadeIcing]

Yea it is. I did them for I have done them for 8mnths straight.

 

[theevenstarlight]

Wow! 8 months of givingshots? Do you always have to have a helper? The vetshowed me how to do it, and I even practiced once in front of him withwater. I think my bunny will let me do it by myself withoutsomeone holding him. He wasn't squirming when I waspracticing pulling his skin up. I have seen another vet do itby herself.

Any suggestions? I guess just the idea of me giving him ashot is kind of scary. I'm not afraid of needles for myself(I get allergy shots often); I just don't want to mess up and hurt him.



The vet said to do this:

Pull the skin up

Put the needle in

Release the skin

Inject



Is that what you have done?

 

[JadeIcing]

Yes it is. When you pull up the skin it should look like a little tent.

Yea there was times were I had to do it alone. The biggestthing that helped me cause I to am afraid of needles to is to keep inmind its for there good.

When do you have to do that again? I will see if I can make alittle video.

 

[theevenstarlight]

I have to do it tomorrow. When you pull the skin up, do you actually see the pink skin, or just fur?

A video would be great, if it isn't too much trouble.



You guys rock!

 

[JadeIcing]

Not at all. We will do it later tonight. We see fur but he is a furry little guy.

 

[theevenstarlight]

Thank you so much! Let me know if I can ever do a favor for you.

 

[pamnock]

theevenstarlight wrote:

The vet gave him a shot of Baytril, as I think hesaid this method won't hurt the bunny's stomach. The vet saidhe has given young babies Baytril before. I am supposed to dothis 11 more times but I'm a little nervous because I've never given arabbit anything subcutaneouslybefore.

Rabbits tolerate oral Baytril very well. If your notcomfortable with the shots, ask for oral meds. However, it israther easy to give sub Q injections.

Pam