sneezing rabbits

Question
Hi
I have an Angora rabbit that has been sneezing for about a month. No discharge in the eyes, or the nose. Now my New Zealand is doing the same thing. I have been injecting them with Baytril - which they hate - for the last 10 days. It does not seem to have made a difference to the sneezing. Not happening all the time - but i do hear them. The NZ is housed in a cage above that of the Angora. The Angora is in a cage with another Angora - who does not sneeze! Today I got home and I hear my Magpie also sneezing. I gave him a shot of Bayril right away.
None of the rabbits show a sign of discharge. Do I need to assume this is snuffles? Do I carry on for more then 10 days of Baytril if the symtoms are not any better? Is terramycyn in the water of any use? Our summer has just started - and the heat is on- will this make any difference. I am in South Africa. What do you suggest?
Thanks
Tamara

Answer
Dear Tamara,

Do NOT put terramycin in the water.  Never put any type of medication in the water.  Not only will this make it impossible to give an accurate dose, but also will change the taste of the water, making the bunnies less likely to drink it.

There is no guarantee that a pathogen causing the sneezing will be sensitive to Baytril.  Please see:

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

and

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

And be sure to provide cool refuge for your bunnies in the heat.  Rabbits do not do well when the temperatures are over about 78 Farenheit, and need to be inside with air conditioning or provided with frozen water bottles and other forms of evaporative and/or convective cooling.

I hope this helps.

Dana