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Snuffles i think?

22 11:17:42

Question
Hi

I have a holland lop bunny named Tia that is about 4-5 months old and since I got her about 2 months ago, she has had a runny nose that gets crusted with white discharge.  I took her to 2 different vets in my area that are familiar, but not experts in rabbits.  They first gave her a sulpha type antibotic drop for 7 days, 2x a day.  That did not clear up the problem , so i decided to take her somewhere else.  They gave her baytril for 10 days, 2x a day.  At first it helped the sneezing, but after treatment, her nose got even worse and the sneezing continued.

She is eating all the time and is growing very fast and is a ball full of energy.  My concern is that the symptoms have not gone away and now her left eye is always watering, or having some type of discharge.  I called my vet and he put aside more baytril to pick up for longer time period.  I am not sure what to do, because I have been spending all this money on consultations and nothing has been resolved.  

Her nose is always filled with gunk and her nose is split down the middle with scabs, so I routinely clean it so that she can have a clear nasal passage.

I read somewhere that baytril can be given for longer time periods and it should help the symptoms, but it wont cure her from the bacteria, pasturella, which i think she has?

Is the eye related to the nose symptoms?

The doctor suggested a type of injection, but then decided against it because they only use it for feed rabbits, because it has the chance to kill the rabbit due to GIT upset.

I also read somewhere about a type of machine that is used, called an neubalizer, I think?  Which is a machine that you put the antibotic in, its like a vaporizer machine and that is supposed to work as well.

I feel at a loss, because if this continues, I dont think she will live long, because I am afraid of it moving into her lungs.

If you could perhaps give me some help with this, I would really appreciate it.  

Answer
Dear Candice,

You're a wonderful, wise and concerned bunny mom, and you deserve better a better veterinarian for your bunny!  You can find one who is more experienced with rabbits here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Before you go, please read these articles, so you'll be informed and know what to ask the vet:

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

and ESPECIALLY

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

I'm not sure what injection the vet was suggesting, but if it was Micotil (tilicomysin), then under NO circumstances should you agree to it!  It does not cause GIT upset, but it can cause sudden cardiac arrest (death!) within 30 minutes. I would never use it on a rabbit who was not in danger of being euthanized anyway, as it is an extremely dangerous drug.

If the vet meant Penicillin-G Procaine, then (1) it generally will NOT cause GIT problems in rabbits but (2) you can't give just one shot!  Antibiotics must be given for as long as the infection is apparent, and then at least a week beyond that, to be sure all the "bugs" are killed off (or as much as possible).  This is explained in the articles above.

I hope this helps.  Your bunny does still need medication and treatment, and a good rabbit vet will be able to help you.

Nebulization is a good option, but mostly if the problem has traveled to the lungs.  It might help in this case, but a nebulizer will run you upwards of $150, so be prepared!  If you do decide to go this option, and your vet would like information on a good "cocktail" to use, then please feel free to write back for more information.

I hope this helps.

Dana