Bunny health

Question
Hi, two days ago I bought a bunny from the local petstore. She is a female and about two months old. When I went to buy her, there were two dead bunnies in the cage with the rest of them and I have been worried if there could have been some sort of contaigous virus. My bunny is eating hay, drinking, pooping and peeing normally. However I have noticed that her nose is a bit runny and her teeth a bit dirty. Do you think I should do anything or am I just exaggerating things? Also there are not vets who are experts in rabbits in the locale so I'd appreciate any help that you can give me. Thanks

Answer
Dear Kyle,

How terrible that the pet store was taking such poor care of those rabbits that there were two dead ones in the cage.  I feel so sorry for them, but I'm glad you saved your little one.

Please read:

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

and

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

for more information on how to tell if your bunny is sick, and what can cause runny nose.  If the bunny is a baby, she might need rabbit-safe antibiotics, such as Baytril.  Please try to find *any* vet who will be able to help, but be sure they know that clavamox or any type of oral penicillin must NEVER be given to a rabbit, as these drugs are deadly to them.  Rabbits must also not have Frontline (fipronil) for parasites, or any type of lincosamine antibiotic.  With this information, you may be able to get a dog/cat vet to help you.  

If you can't get anything else, then perhaps you can ask about getting some Baytril (enrofloxacin) to give the bunny orally.  Our vets prescribe this to be given at 20mg/kg twice per day for at least two weeks, to really knock back the infection and let the bunny's immune system take over.

If this is a very young baby, be very alert for any sign of runny stool, and please read:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana