Congested Nose

Question
QUESTION: I've heard questions similiar to this, but here goes anyways;
My rabbit makes a congested nose sound. No discharge, it's louder when he is anxious or scared, he might be the runt of the litter, or second to last, and he makes it constantly. Lately it has been getting worse. I wonder if this is worthy of a vet visit.

ANSWER: Dear Nina,

There are many different rabbit sounds, and one of them is a sort of "oinking" or "honking" sound a bunny might make when he's distressed.  These are actual vocalizations.  But if you are hearing congestion sounds, then I would have him checked by a good rabbit vet to be absolutely *sure* he doesn't have lung or nasal congestion that needs to be treated.  Rabbits can sometimes have pneumonia and show almost no outward signs until they are so sick that they're nearly dead.  So better to check for this (sometimes radiographs are necessary, since auscultation--listening with a stethoscope--doesn't always reveal a problem) and be safe.

If there's no problem with his nose or lungs, he might just have a floppy soft palate that makes this sound when his respiration increases with distress.  But if it's getting worse, I would not assume this.  Better to have your vet check.  You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh my gosh! He has pneumonia, and the vet said he has a big chance of dyeing. We are putting a vapor rub and medicine. We are also looking for a mist machine. Thank you, is there anything else we can do?

Answer
Dear Nina,

Pneumonia need not be a death sentence, but this will require aggressive treatment with antibiotics.  Was the vet an experienced rabbit vet?  What antibiotics is bunny on now?

We have had excellent success with nebulization, but this will require that you buy a nebulizer from a local pharmacy (you might need a prescription).  Please ask the vet about this.  Our vets generally prescribe a "cocktail" for nebulization of amikacin (antibiotic), aminophylline (to open airways) and acetylcysteine (to loosen mucus) in sterile saline, and we administer 2-3 times a day.  It can make a big difference if given along with oral antibiotics.

We also have found that gentle coupage (patting the bunny on the back and ribs, as if you're trying to get him to spit up something) can really help loosen the mucus after nebulization.

I hope he will be fine soon!

Dana