Rabbit breathing problems

Question
Hi

My neighbor has a bunny 4 years old who only recently began to receive
appropriate rabbit food (greens and hay) because we didn't know.

Anyway he has had a sporadic problem with breathing.  Once he was sick for
almost a week coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharge, not eating or
drinking, lethargic.  He got over this fine.  This was two months ago.

He is still eating and drinking fine but he is a bit lethargic again and his
breathing is labored.  We are under the impression that he is breathing
partially through his mouth because the part between his nose and mouth
(sorry, forgot the name) is kind of puffing out when he breathes.  Sometimes
it is only on one side.  

Please help. We are both on public assistance so a vet is pretty much out of
the question.  Bunny means so much to my neighbor that she is very very
worried.

thank you,

Natasha

Answer
Dear Natasha,

I wish I could tell you there was something you could do to help the bunny without a vet, but I can't.  It sounds as if he may have a severe respiratory infection, and possibly even pneumonia.  If he is to survive this, he must have veterinary attention immediately.  You can find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and ask about payment plans.

Please also read:

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

and

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

for more information on the condition, so you'll know what to ask the vet.

I hope this helps.

Dana