Sneezing and drooling

Question
Hi - first and foremost I apologise if this has been asked before but there seem to be so many questions!  I recently brought one of my rabbits to the vet for the second time with breathing difficulties and sneezing - the first time it was as if he was fine one moment, and then he'd have a "fit" for want of a better word - he had difficulty breathing and would drool a lot and sound like he was trying to cough something up.  The first time we brought him (to a vet we've been going to since we got him four years ago) she said that he seemed to be in excellent health for his age (just over four) and his lungs were clear etc.  We brought him back again last week and he was diagnosed with the snuffles.  We've only been giving him antibiotics for a few days, but he still drools and has difficulty breathing from time to time.  It seems to happen when we feed him (but not every time) - they always have plenty of hay on hand - but if we give him new hay, or some pellets - it's as if in his excitment he gets blocked up and can't breath properly for a few minutes.  It almost sounds like he has fluid on his lungs until it clears.  It normally lasts a few minutes and he shows no ill effects afterward but I hate the thought of him being in distress.  Is there anything I can do to help him when this happens, and is it common that it takes a while to clear?  Any advice would be warmly welcomed.  Helen

Answer
Dear Helen,

Your rabbit is showing some classic symptoms of a molar problem, and he may have a very severe spur or even an abscess that are making it hard for him to move his tongue or breathe in some positions.  I know of one rabbit who had this type of trouble, and the vet looked deep into the mouth with an otoscope and found no trouble...until he noticed a tiny black "band" around the base of a molar.  He tugged at it with a dental tool, and it moved.  He kept pulling, and a HUGE wad of fur and food came up from the rabbit's throat, where it had been suspended, hanging from a loop of twisted hair stuck on the molar!

I'm not suggesting this is what's wrong with your bunny, but I am saying that a deep oral exam is in order, and SOON.  If you feel your present vet is more familiar with dogs and cats than with rabbits, you can find another one for a second opinion here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You can also read more about common dental problems that cause symptoms like those you are seeing here:

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

You might also want to read the following, regarding "snuffles":

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

I hope this helps.  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana