Bunnys breathing strangely

Question
I just bought a new bunny recently, he's probably about 2 months old, he's a mini rex, and he seems very healthy - he eats hay, pellets, and carrots just fine, and he drinks also - and he's going to the bathroom fine also. And he's very active. But he breathes very loudly sometimes, like he has a stuffy nose, and he sort of snorts and sneezes at the same time, like there's something in his nose that he wants out of there. I have had a bunny before him, and my old one never did anything like this. Like I said, he is eating, going, and acting fine, he doesn't act sick (my old bunny had gotten sick, so I have some idea what to look for, namely that they sit all hunched up and don't move and don't want to eat) but I thought his breathing was strange and I'm worried that he might have something. I've only had him a week. Let me know what you think, and thank you!

Answer
Hi Nicole,

given what you say about his age and behavior and you just got him, I would take him in to your regular, good rabbit vet for an initial general exam.  It starts giving your vet a history with your rabbit and lets you both know what is 'normal' for him, and can also uncover any problems he may have.  6-8 weeks is an important time period for rabbits.  He's probably sneezing because of hay dust (foraging, inhaling some hay dust).  But it may be something that needs to be treated.  Better to take him in.

Also don't feed him any veggies or fruits right now.  His stomach is too young to handle them.  Around 6 months old start gradually introducing low amounts of veggies to him, one at a time for about two weeks (to ensure he can handle each particular one okay).

I would try to schedule a vet visit as soon as you can.  If it is something that needs to be treated catch it early as he's very young and doesn't have the strength reserves an adult rabbit has.

If you need to find a good rabbit vet go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

Lee