candida?

Question
Hi, I have an outdoor rex over 2 years old he was roaming the streets and bought to me.only hes got a consistent runny nose+sneezes ive taken him to vets to be told his chest is clear.Allergy was mentioned and candida but he would have to have tests and dont want to stress him out.have noticed dust in hay therefore have shopped around for different varietys.please help

Answer
Dear Deborah,

Candida might be common in dogs and cats, but not really in rabbits.  I think you need to find a vet who is more experienced with rabbit medicine:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and have another checkup done.  Rabbit lungs are very difficult to auscultate, and even a rabbit with pneumonia will sometimes not sound abnormal.  But a runny nose and eyes are not normal.  Please read:

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

and this:

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

so you'll know the best course of action to take next.

I don't think the problem is dust or allergies.  It's more likely a chronic upper respiratory infection, and the fact that he's a recent rescue would make that unsurprising.  With good food and care, his immune system should be up and running soon.  But a bit of veterinary help is a wise idea.

I hope this helps.

Dana