Rabbit Pneumonia

Question
My 4 year old holland lop died a couple of days ago.  We believe it was pneumonia as there were abolutely no symptoms until he started having trouble breathing.  The lung x-ray was clear, started immediately on Baytril.  He went agonal in my arms and died 48 hours after displaying his first symptom.  By then he had conjunctivitis, but I never noticed any nasal discharge.  He also could not stand and appeared to have developed a virulent inner ear problem.

My question is this:  My baby displayed the first symptoms on the Saturday morning.  On the previous Thursday, my daughter had her lop up to play.  They liked each other a lot.  They definitely had contact - playing, sleeping, grooming, etc.

Her lop came to stay on Sunday.  Obviously kept in different section of the house at this point and no contact (even with me as I was still nursing mine).

Is there an incubation period?  Does this thing manifest the same way in every rabbit?  I'm afraid to even let her lop upstairs (mine had the run of the house up here), even though everything has been cleaned.

Is there a pre-emptive strike I can take with her rabbit, just in case?   I wouldn't wish that death on another rabbit.  It wasn't very nice.

Thank you so much.  Any advice would be so appreciated.  I won't even get another one until I understand this more.  Was there something I could have done?

Jennifer

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

I am sorry about the loss of your little one.

The signs you describe really are not consistent with pneumonia if the lung radiographs were clear, though I suppose it's not impossible.  Only histopathology on lung tissue would reveal whether there really was bacterial growth or not.  Other things can cause difficult breathing, including thymoma (generally not accompanied by acute death, though), and systemic infection with high fever.

Surprising as it may sound, it's not very likely that the lop bunny was the source of this problem.  Respiratory pathogens do *not* generally pass readily between adult rabbits, even with very close contact.  We've had rabbits cohabiting for years, grooming and nuzzling, and never sharing the same chronic pathogens that each individual has.

If you are concerned about pathogens and want to be extra cautious, then wipe down all surfaces the bunnies came into contact with 10% bleach solution, and allow it to dry off before anyone touches it.  Launder all bedding and other washables with hot water and detergent, and likewise for all food dishes, water bowls, etc.

Hygiene is a good idea, and this will at least set your mind at rest.

For more information on respiratory illness in rabbits, please see:

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

Again, I am sorry for your loss, but hope this helps in some small way.

Take care,
Dana