rabbit hayfever

Question
Dear Dana

I've had my rabbit Lily since she was 11 weeks old, and she is now 2 years old. We got her in the spring/summer season and she was perfectly fine right the way through her first summer, save for a minor case of conjunctivitus.  However last May she started making an alarming 'rattling' noise as she breathed which varied in loudness during the day and seemed to die down during the night. I took her to the local vet countless times during last summer, who prescribed various amounts of medicine, antibiotics and nose drops believing it to be some kind of chest infection or respiratory problem.  None of these particularly worked, though the nose drops did seem to have the best effect, even if only temporary. Eventually the general vets were too baffled to help any further and referred us to a rabbit specialist, who performed a thorough examination and came to the conclusion that it sounded much worse than it actually was and, although it wasn't a common thing in rabbits, this was highly likely to be an allergy of some kind, and as the rabbit is kept in a large enclosed space in the garden, it was most likely to be hayfever, or possibly a small particle of hay that may have gone up the rabbit's nose by accident.

At the end of last summer though, the rattling noise died down and then stopped completely and has been fine ever since, but since the warm weather has begun to creep back I'm starting to hear that rattling noise every so often and it looks like its set to return for another bout of hayfever this season. I'd like to get her neutered this year to prevent problems later in her life but with her having this allergy I've been told that the risk with the anaesthetic would be significantly higher. Do you have any suggestion as to anything to give her that might relieve the symptoms? I've been told that, whilst not specifically recommended by the specialist, some human hayfever relief medicines can help but I'd rather not run the risk of trying anything that's not specifically made or proven to have a positive effect for rabbits. She is otherwise full of life, and in very good health, and whatever this problem may be it doesn't seem to affect the quality of her life, only the loudness of it!

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

H Smith, UK

Answer
Dear Helen,

Some rabbits have a "loose soft palate" that makes them sound as if they're snoring all the time.  The noise is usually louder while they sleep, as this relaxes the palate even more.

Was the vet able to determine whether the noise was coming from the nose or from the lungs?  If from the lungs, it could be quite serious, and you should have a vet who is very good with rabbit medicine have a look.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

where there are lists listing vets all over the U.S. as well as Europe and the U.K.  

If the noise is coming from the nose, you might want to read this:

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

And if no one has checked deep into her mouth for molar spurs or other problems, please read this:

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

Molar problems can cause drooling and unusual respiratory noise, so this is definitely an area you should have examined by the good rabbit vet.  I really, really doubt this is allergies.  It seems that a lot of vets will just blame "allergies" for upper respiratory problems or other disorders when they simply can't find a reasonable explanation.  I've never yet known of a true case of rabbit "hay fever."  But I suppose it's not impossible.

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


Dana