Clicking noise

Question
My bunny who is a year old has been exhibiting an audible clicking noise at times and it is becoming more frequent. He is eating, drinking well and his behavior is very active..he shows no signs of being ill aside from that noise. I asked my vet and he said it may be a birth defect in the nostrils..but he did not exhibit the symptoms when I first got him..only within the past 3 months. I noticed you answered another question from a bunny owner about a soft palate problem that causes this clicking noise. Is there anything I can do to alleviate it without having to get him surgery?...P.S. I already used batril on him and the snuffles was ruled out.
Thanks for your help,
Robin

Answer
Dear Robin,

I wouldn't even consider surgery if you're not sure of the source of the problem.  Has a good vet examined him for any sign of lung congestion or nasal congestion?  If the lungs and nose are clear, and the sound is coming from there, it could be a congenital condition.  Ask the vet if it might be all right to try a bit of pediatric Benadryl, which can shrink mucous membranes and reduce inflammation.  This might tell you whether there is excess tissue up the nose causing this sound.

If he's not distressed by the clicking, surgery would probably not be advisable, especially in the highly vascularized nostrils.  It might just be something he lives with.

But if you're not sure the first vet was really experienced enough with rabbits to give you a good diagnosis, then you might want to check the list here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find another vet for a second opinion.

Hope this helps.

Dana