Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > Could it be an upper respiratory disease?

Could it be an upper respiratory disease?

22 9:56:15

Question
Hi...
I have a much loved 10 year old male lop who has had discharge from his eyes & nose as well as wheezing and some sneezing for 6 months. The vet gave me antibiotic creme and drops for the eyes,which did nothing at all to help. When we took him back to the vet he said it was probably just a blocked tear duck...but I told him that he wheezes and sneezes a lot, as well as the thick white stuff comes out his nose at times too. He still seemed unconcerned!
I have heard of a disease termed "snuffles" that is a really bad upper respiratory problem. Could it be this? I really want to give "Tovi" the best care possible since we have enjoyed him for over a decade...and he's a senior! I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Jo,

Chronic upper respiratory infection (URI) is miserable, and if it will improve Tovi's quality of life, then please find a vet who will be willing to prescribe appropriate antibiotics to control the bacterial overgrowth in his sinuses:

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

The vet might want to do a culture and sensitivity test:

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

but truthfully, an accurate nasal culture is hard to do, with all the exposure to environmental bacteria.  Many vets will simply prescribe a rabbit-safe antibiotic (e.g., ciprofloxacin or injectable Penicillin-G Procaine (NO oral penicillins are safe for rabbits!)) and see if it helps.

At Tovi's age, he deserves some relief.  You can suction snot out of his nose with a pediatric ear syringe like this:

http://www.amazon.com/hcl820-Ear-Syringe-Pediatric/dp/B000VI8D64

and if you can get a good rabbit vet to show you how, you can even do a warm saline flush to really clear his nasal passages and make it easier for him to breathe.

Anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., metacam) can help reduce swollen mucous membranes and allow easier breathing, too. So you might want to ask the vet.

But please find a vet who will take Tovi more seriously as a patient:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I am sure he can feel better than he's feeling now with just a little bit of help.

Hope this does the trick!

Dana