Runny Nose

Question
Hello,
I just bought a young dutch doe from a breeder at a show a few days ago. I think she's about 3 months, but I don't have her papers yet so I'm not sure. I checked her that morning at the show and she was perfectly fine, but at the end of the day, she had a little messy nose. I led it off to stress because she's so young at a big rabbit show. I left her alone for the weekend, but her nose was still messy come Monday morning. I have several rabbits so I know what snuffles is, but I don't think she has that. It's a little yellow/green in color, but she's not sneezing at all and her front legs aren't messy at all eather. She does make a little snorting sound when she breaths, but it's not constantly, only every so often. I don't have much money for a vet, though I'm sure I could scrape something together. If you think it may just be stress like I thought, or a cold, is there anything over the counter I can give her?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi,

get her in to the vet immediately.  She has some kind of infection, probably snuffles.  It doesn't go away on its own, you need prescription antibiotics to really knock it out.  And make sure to give her all of it (not at once), but I mean don't stop giving her it when she seems better, give her the medicine regularly until it's gone - the full prescription. Otherwise you won't knock it out entirely and it will come back stronger.

The key to getting the most for your money is going to a good rabbit vet (not all are).  Start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

Talk with the vet about a payment plan.  Most vets will work with you on this because they want to give animals care that require it.  Just don't miss your payments.

Also if money is tight examine what 'wants' you are spending money on and trim those.  You don't have to have cable.  Or eat out anywhere.  Or you name it.  Also it will be important for you to budget money for her, concerning food, and vet care.  You will want to save enough for at least one regular wellness exam a year, and one emergency visit a year.  this way if you need it it will not be such a monetary shock to your budget.

You also will need to probably set money aside to get her spayed.  Talk with the vet about this.