sneezes

Question
my bunny sneezes and has bits of yellow under his nose. what is wrong and what should i do?

Answer
Hi Al,

When you combine sneezing with a yellowish discharge, I immediately am thinking some type of infection in the head area.  Most likely it's an upper respiratory infection but dental issues should not be ruled out until a physical exam is performed.  I would suggest a visit to a rabbit savvy vet.  The proper way to diagnose this condition is a physcial exam with a culture of the discharge.  I would want to the vet to a very intensive "hands on" exam around the jaw area feeling for any soft tissue issues (abscesses). Any rabbit can develop these but flat faced rabbits such as Netherland Dwarfs and Holland Lops are most prone to them.  If a dental issue is suspected, a couple of x-rays would be in order.  It is most likely an upper repspiratory isses.  The most common bacteria found in these infections is Pasteurella Multocida.  This is a common pathogen that is carried sub-clinically in the respiratory systems of all mammals (including humans) and many birds.  The immune system normally controls this bactera.  However, rabbits are very prone to infections from this pathogen.

This bacteria is becoming increasingly difficult to treat.  In reality, it can't truly be cured...but it can be controlled if the right antibiotics are used.  Most vets will use either a Sulfa drugs (Sulfatrim, SMZ, etc.) or one of the "floxacins (Baytril or Cipro).  Unfortunately due to improper usasge of these drugs, this bacteria is beoming resistant and these drugs just don't do well any longer.  While many vets still use them because they are "safe"....the top exotics vets no longer use these drugs.  I only rarely use these antibiotics and have not used any of them in rabbits for years.  The drug of choice from the top end vets for use against Pasteurella is Zithromax.  I have been using Penicillin and Chloramphenicol also.  And more recently, a drug just approved for use in the US, Convenia.  A word of caution about antibiotics in rabbits....not every vet is familiar with the unique quirks of the use of these drugs in rabbits.  If the drugs are not used properly, it will result in death.  Cephalosporins (Keflex, Cephalexin) or Penicillins should never be adminstered by mouth.

If this is an infection, it most likely will not resolve on it's own.  It would be better for the rabbit (and your bank account) to seek professional assistance.  Rabbits do not have the strongest of immune systems.