QuestionMy lionhead rabbit is almost a year old. I thought I heard him sneeze a couple days ago. He sounds as though he has a stuffy nose. It is not constant but about 1/4 of the time I have been with him tonight he has made a sort of rattling (not wheezing) sound when breathing. He is otherwise fine. He is eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, and playing. I am worried about him and will be completely tied up and unable to even call the vet tomorrow. I think that because he is acting fine it does not warrant an emergency call to the vet tonight. The rabbit is a little on the heavy/fat side.
AnswerDear Susan,
The sooner you can get your bunny to the vet, the better. Conditions like this can worsen rapidly--or they can be stable for quite a while. It really depends on whether this is a sinus problem or in the lungs.
I hope you will be able to find a good rabbit vet here:
www.rabbit.org/vets
who will see your bunny today or tomorrow. This will give you peace of mind. But there is really nothing you can do on your own at home for a respiratory infection. Don't use over-the-counter medications, as they can do more harm than good!
Please also see:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html
I hope this helps.
Dana