Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > Unknown Illness. Has been to vet

Unknown Illness. Has been to vet

22 10:00:20

Question
Hi my name is Kailey. I have had my rabbit Thumper for 10 years now.
This past september i had to get him neutered because he had a enlarged most likely a tumor in one of his testicles. I know i shouldn't of waited so long to get him fixed but a vet told me i shouldn't because he could die easily on the table due to their sensitivity. Anyways he had the surgery and  recovered without any issues. I did notice when i took him in his eyes around them were really pink not the eye its self the vet looked him over said he looked good and for his age had good teeth. Now the eye has turned to discharge and he started sneezing with discharge. Which i thought maybe be snuffles.He then stopped eating his favorite yogurt and some of his reg food. So i took him to the vet last monday and the vet wasnt sure what was wrong with him ( i was recommended to her) she was knowledgeable but we couldnt make since what the issue was. i had noticed his ears were itching him pretty bad and he liked to keep his head down low when he laid down or when u put him on his back he tilts back which i mentioned to her but she didnt think it was anything because he didnt have no discharge in his ears. so she gave me sulfatrim and try and treat for URI and some eye drops. ever since i have given him that hes now refusing to take it, barely eating food except greens and treats not the yogurt tho. i thought he was getting better because the sneezing stopped and started drinking more water but tonight when i was giving him his medicine he flipped out of my arms and just kinda froze on his side and was maybe twitching a little but it wasnt like a seizure which ive seen first hand in another rabbit. but his head was also tilted when he got up. hes been chattering his teeth to. the vet said his molars maybe a little long but wasnt sure if that was the issue. after his spasm? or whatever it was he was a little off balance but otherwise hes fine now. so im not giving him the sulfatrim anymore until i can get him to a different vet. i think he might have an issue with his ears or teeth. since the chattering but i think its really his ears because they bother him when u mess with them he chatters his teeth and been shaking them alot but they look overall clean so not sure and i dont understand why he has discharge from eyes and nose and sneezing unless its his teeth and ears..im not sure im a little lost.
sorry it was so long. Hope u can give me some advice
everyone vets included tell me something different so i was just wondering what ur opinion is
thank you very much
kailey

Answer
Hi Kailey,

It sounds like your bunny really needs a second opinion.  Obviously I can't see him but if I had to guess I would come to the same conclusion as you.  It sounds like he may have E. Cuniculi or any of the organisms that cause snuffles.  I recommend that you try to find a vet that has a lot of experience with rabbits.  You may also attempt to find one that can do blood work.  You can try this list:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

I am sorry that I can't tell you what is wrong.  I think you are on the right track by getting a second opinion.

Good luck

Pam