Tooth Purring

[Mrs. PBJ]

Is it normal for a bunny to tooth purr when drinking water.

Jessi does this all the time at first I thought she was wheezing or grinding but I got closed and listen and its tooth purring.

I have never heard storm do this ever.

I had to find a video of the sound to even know for sure if it was the right sound.

So is this normal does she just like her water bowl that much?

Thanks in advance
Kat

 

[jcottonl02]

Lol that is a little bizarre.
Both my buns tooth purr all the time, so I am very familiar with the noise, but they only do it when they are snuggling on my lap or we are grooming.

Perhaps she was really thirsty and it was like 'yessss, yum'.

Does she purr when she eats yummy veggies?

That is quite adorable- how often does she do it? When did u notice it starting?

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

She does it almost every time she drinks.

I noticed it the first time she drank out of her bowl she had a water bottle before I got her.

No I have never heard her purr any other time.

And I know I am not crazy cause hubby has heard it to. LOL

 

[bunnyluv96]

Bunnies purr??:?

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

bunnyluv96 wrote:

Bunnies purr??:?

It like a small squeaking noise. I compare it to if you have ever heard a very small new born kitten in a distance.

 

[jcottonl02]

bunnyluv96 wrote:

Bunnies purr??:?

If you are stroking your bun and they really like it, like a cat would do, they can 'purr'. But it is actually the gentle grinding of their teeth, which comes out like a purr. Loud grinding of the teeth indicates pain, but gentle, soft grinding is a very contended noise

That's really strange she only does it when she drinks....do u spike her water with fruit juice or anything lol?

Jen

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

jcottonl02 wrote:

bunnyluv96 wrote:

Bunnies purr??:?

If you are stroking your bun and they really like it, like a cat would do, they can 'purr'. But it is actually the gentle grinding of their teeth, which comes out like a purr. Loud grinding of the teeth indicates pain, but gentle, soft grinding is a very contended noise

That's really strange she only does it when she drinks....do u spike her water with fruit juice or anything lol?

Jen

Nope no spike. But she alway does it and Storm looks at her like she is crazy.

 

[jcottonl02]

LOL! haha aw bless her!:rofl:

 

[elrohwen]

Can you see her teeth grinding when she does it? I'm curious since you described it as a squeak, it could be the way she's breathing. My holland lop sometimes makes squeaky sounds through his nose and my guess is it's because their nasal canals are small and squished - similar to a pug dog or something. It's not a problem for him, just another noise he makes.

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

elrohwen wrote:

Can you see her teeth grinding when she does it? I'm curious since you described it as a squeak, it could be the way she's breathing. My holland lop sometimes makes squeaky sounds through his nose and my guess is it's because their nasal canals are small and squished - similar to a pug dog or something. It's not a problem for him, just another noise he makes.

I am never close enough to see. Although I have never seen a rabbit grind there teeth either.

 

[jcottonl02]

Elrohwen makes a very good point.

What breed is she?

It is possible that maybe she has slightly obstructed nasal canals due to genetics (not a huge problem), but when she drinks it just obstructs them a little more, so her breathing is a little squeaky?

Jen

 

[elrohwen]

When my guys tooth purr, I can physically see their mouths moving in a grinding motion before I hear it. In fact, I usually don't hear it unless my face is right next to their heads, but I can see the grinding motion from feet away. It kind of looks like they're chattering and talkingor something.

If it's squeaking, I would guess it's obstructed nasal passages, as Jen said. My bun makes this squeak a lot, especially if he has a sharp intake of breath (like if he's staring into space and you come up and sit down next to him, he'll look over quickly and take a big breath that will result in a quiet squeak). My mini lop doesn't do this, which makes me think it's related to the shape of the skull in hollands and similar breeds.

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

Jessi is a Holland Lop

 

[jcottonl02]

elrohwen wrote:

When my guys tooth purr, I can physically see their mouths moving in a grinding motion before I hear it. In fact, I usually don't hear it unless my face is right next to their heads, but I can see the grinding motion from feet away. It kind of looks like they're chattering and talkingor something.

If it's squeaking, I would guess it's obstructed nasal passages, as Jen said. My bun makes this squeak a lot, especially if he has a sharp intake of breath (like if he's staring into space and you come up and sit down next to him, he'll look over quickly and take a big breath that will result in a quiet squeak). My mini lop doesn't do this, which makes me think it's related to the shape of the skull in hollands and similar breeds.

:yeahthat:

That's right on the money. I more 'feel' the tooth purring or see it, rather than hear it. While I am stroking their chins/cheeks/nose, I feel the gentle grinding.

Perhaps next time you are at the vets have a chat with him/her about it? Maybe they can do a few tests/procedures (not particularly expensive or invasive etc. just routine) just to see if it's what Elrohwen suggested, or perhaps something slightly more serious like a respiratory infection causing the suspected obstructed nasal passages?

Jen

 

[jcottonl02]

Mrs. PBJ wrote:

Jessi is a Holland Lop

Mmm yeah she could have a bit of a "squished" in face around her nasal passages and tear ducts- holland lops can often have this due to genetics.

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

I hope they would have caught the upper respiratory when she went in for her spay. To be honest she only does it when she is drinking.


I listened to her lungs and they sound normal.

I will watch her but there is no other sound of her being sick. No running nose or eyes or anything I am thinking it may be her face but I will watch her.

Her teeth are perfect they said when I picked her up from her spay and she looked good.

 

[jcottonl02]

Well that's good. Just keep an eye on her and see if it gets any worse.



Jen

 

[elrohwen]

I don't think it means she's sick - like I said, my holland does it often and he's perfectly fine. It's just that their nasal cavities are shaped differently than other buns which can cause them to squeak a bit when they breathe a certain way.

 

[jcottonl02]

Like bulldogs and pugs

 

[elrohwen]

Exactly! My friend's pug is the loudest dog I've ever met. Haha.

I've been told that hollands do have a tendencey towards respiratory infections because of the shape of their sinuses (the same way pugs have repiratory issues at times)but the squeaky noise doesn't mean she's sick now, just that she's a typical holland.