Rabbit with recurring nasal discharge

Question
We adopted a rabbit about two years ago, and within about 6 months or so, he started sneezing, with nasal discharge, the vet put him on an anti-biotic and he seemed to get better.  Over time, he continually gets the "sniffles".  This last time, they cultured him and found two strains, and put him on enroflaxin for one month, he seemed to get better, but on day 22, he started his symptoms again, so we stopped.  I am not sure what to do now, another drug was suggested, or possibly flushing out his nasal passages (which would require putting him under).  Any suggestions? Can some rabbits just live like this?  I can here the congestion in his nose.  Thank you.

Answer
Dear Susanne,

A nasal flush will not require general anesthesia.  In fact, unless your vet is really expert at tracheal intubation of rabbits (and it is *rare* to find a vet who is good at this!), then a nasal flush under general anesthesia is absolutely NOT the way to go, as it could easily cause aspiration pneumonia.

A nasal flush can be done with a curve-tipped syringe while the rabbit is being held by one person, and the nasal cavity gently and carefully flushed by a second person with sterile, lukewarm saline solution.  An experienced rabbit vet can show you how to do this without danger, but don't try to do this without proper instructions.  Properly done, nasal flushes can help keep chronic nasal discharge under control.

But as to the ultimate cause:  unfortunately, many rabbits suffer from chronic nasal discharged due to a blocked maxillary sinus, and this is usually not curable without a radical surgical procedure (rhinotomy with removal of facial bones, etc.).  Most people opt for palliative care, since the problem isn't generally life threatening, just annoying.  

This is common in older rabbits, especially if they have dental problems (e.g., osteoporosis leading to tooth root intrusion deeper into the skull bones than normal, where they can impinge on tear ducts and nasal sinuses).  It's also seen in younger rabbits with short faces (e.g., lops and dwarf bunnies) who have congenitally not-quite-normal skull structure, predisposing them to blocked sinus problems.

Antibiotics will help for a while, but since this is a problem of a hospitable bacterial environment existing where there shouldn't be one, they won't be a lifelong fix.  That lifelong "fix" is often just gentle nasal flushes and loving care.

Please also see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

To find a rabbit-savvy vet, please use the list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.

Dana