Something with my rabbit

[DeSERG]

Hi everyone! I'm from Belarus. My rabbit is 1,5 years old. Last days we got a problem. Sorry, my English is bad, so I can't describe symptoms. But I made some videos. In my city there's only one rabbit vet and she don't know, what's happening.


His teeth and mouth are ok, we made x-ray...
We are taking pain reliever oral and antibiotics in injections for 2 days, but it doesn't help.
He's eating hay and his appetite is ok, thanks God.
May be someone got the same symptoms?

 

[Lenka]

Could it be a respiratory problem? I’m a new bunny owner so I’m not really sure. I hope person with more knowledge can help you. What did vet actually say?

 

[DeSERG]

Vet doesn't know, what is it. Assumption is that it can be the problem with upper respiratory tract. May be it's something with jaw ligaments.
There's no regularity in this pathology. He can be eating, sleeping or laying and suddenly start to open his mouth.

 

[JBun]

Mouth breathing usually means there is some sort of serious respiratory problem. But it doesn't appear your rabbit is doing the typical mouth breathing from respiratory difficulty. It looks more to me that there is possibly some sort of irritant or obstruction in his mouth or airway. It could be something like an overgrown molar causing a sore in the mouth, or maybe a piece of food stuck in there. Did the vet do a thorough dental exam and get a good look in the mouth? Did the vet listen to lung sounds to check for pneumonia?

 

[DeSERG]

Unfortunately, vet didn't do full exam of mouth because my rabbit is a bit wild, visiting vet is a great stress for him.Even temperature check made him crazy. It's hard to open his mouth not using anesthesia. The vet was afraid that rabbit will start twitching and braking out and there was a huge risk to damage rabbits jaw. So she just checked front teeth.
Lung sound is ok. There's no any unusual sound.
BTW, the vet suggested about food or something stucked in there.

 

[DeSERG]

X-ray

The vet also says about a small swelling from the left side.

 

[Fuz]

I hope your bunny will be okay. It looks like major discomfort to me, as if he/she is trying to remove something that's stuck, which may also be a reason for some side head movements.
I am not very well learned in this even though I have two bunnies for almost 4 years, but I just wanted to send virtual support. Please let us know what happens

 

[DeSERG]

Thank you for your support. Of course I'll let you know about any changes.

 

[JBun]

Yeah, it is looking more like a problem in the mouth or throat to me. And really the only way to know for sure would be the vet getting a good look in there, which sounds like will only work under sedation for your rabbit. It might be something as simple as a sharp point on one of the molars causing irritation and an ulcer on the tongue or cheek, which could be easily resolved with any sharp points being filed down. So it's deciding if it's safe to do for your rabbit, and if you feel it's important and necessary to attempt. Hopefully you can get this figured out and resolved.

 

[Lenka]

I hope your rabbit is feeling better.

 

[DeSERG]

Thank you for empathy.
Seems that he's a bit better after 6 days of antibiotics and anesthetic . But the symptoms are still here, happening much rarely. Today we stopped injections because they're so painful for him and 6 days is enough course of antibiotics.

 

[Lenka]

Oh... I really hope your bunny gets better soon. I feel sad seeing it in a pain. It’s a beautiful bunny I wish you both many more years together. Please do keep us updated.

 

[Jasminebunny]

Thank you for empathy.
Seems that he's a bit better after 6 days of antibiotics and anesthetic . But the symptoms are still here, happening much rarely. Today we stopped injections because they're so painful for him and 6 days is enough course of antibiotics.

Yes please keep us updated!

 

[DeSERG]

Hi everyone. Seems that thanks God my rabbit is ok. Treatment helped, I think. So thank you very much for your help.

 

[DeSERG]

I was too optimistic. The problem returned. Today morning he again started to "chew". I don't know what to do. Don't want to inject antibiotics again, think it doesn't treat.

 

[Fuz]

Sorry. You must be so stressed. It seems like you have to send your rabbit in for a full exam of the mouth. It may be stressful but you can provide comfort for your bunny as much as possible.
Hope he/she will be okay.

 

[DeSERG]

I completely agree with you. One thing I'm afraid of that stress can be fatal for him. He's so unsocial and cowardly and from the other side the vet, who's not against to take a risk of examine him, don't seem reliable to me. I'm afraid of it too.

 

[DeSERG]

One more symptom added. He began to sneeze. No snot or any other things. Like 1-2 times in an evening. He did it ealier, but now it seems that he do it more often.

 

[Fuz]

It's always scary to take a rabbit out of their comfortable environment. However your bunny is not well, and if you continue leaving it it may get worse. Keep some of his/her favourite toys and treats, some lavender to keep calm and go to the vet as soon as you can. Ask the vet if you can be around while he/she checks on bunny, so bunny doesn't feel alone.
Hope things go well

 

[DeSERG]

He feels pain from the left side of his mouth. He is nervous when I try to touch him there. From the right side he feels ok.