Fleas and Sneezes ...

Question
Dear Dr Krempels,

Thanks for your information about fleas control medication for rabbits.

I tried a couple of vets here in Jacksonville but none of them recommended "Revolution".  I researched it on internet and it says "revolution" is not only for fleas control but heartworm and other medication as well.  Is heartworm common to bunnies?  Most vets here suggested "Frontline: Top Spot", any comments on this product?  

One of my bunnies is still having serious sneezings after taking a week of anti-biotic perscribed by a vet.  I am wondering his sneezes are not because of bacteria infection but allergies.  Is allergy common to bunnies?  

Thanks for your attention.

Awaiting your reply.

Thanks,
Joanna Ching

Answer
Dear Joanna,

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE FRONTLINE on a rabbit!  The fact that your local vets recommended this suggests to me that they are NOT keeping up with rabbit medicine.  Frontline (fipronil) has been linked to many rabbit deaths due to neurological effects, and even the manufacturer now says that this product should NEVER be used on rabbits.  If you have the chance to enlighten these vets without bruising their egos, then this might be a great public service you could perform.

Revolution is selamectin, a later generation relative of the commonly used ivermectin, also effective against mites and Nematodes such as heart worm.  Revolution is a new drug, so many vets don't have much experience with it, especially in rabbits.  It can't be given to cats or dogs who might already have heartworm, and this might be why your vets are reticent to prescribe it.  But heartworm has not been reported in rabbits, and we have never had a problem with Revolution.  It is really excellent for mite and flea control.

As far as the sneezing is concerned, did the vet do any culture and sensitivity testing?  If not, then please see:

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

It explains why it's very important to do this test in order to find the right antibiotic for the job, and not throw good money after bad.  Allergies are not common in rabbits (I've never heard of a *confirmed* case of allergy, though plenty of vets will just say "it's an allergy" if they can't figure out what's causing it).  

One possible direction to follow is dental problems.  A few rabbits, especially as they age, suffer intrusion of the molar and/or incisor roots into the nasal passages, and this can cause sneezing and discharge that just don't respond to antibiotic therapy because of the constant reintroduction of bacteria from the mouth.  

This is virtually unheard of in young rabbits, but it's more common than we'd like to know in older rabbits who may be suffering some degree of osteoporosis, and hence intrusion of the tooth roots farther into the skull than they should be.

I hope this gives you some areas to pursue with your vet.  I wish I could tell you of a good rabbit vet in Jacksonville, but we just don't have one there yet.  Your best bet might be to travel to Gainesville and see someone in the veterinary hospital associated with the university's vet school.

Good luck!  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana