When a rabbit has a runny nose, runny eyes, and a tendency to sneeze, you might assume that it just has a bad case of the sniffles. After all, humans with these symptoms normally have a cold, which is easily remedied with Vitamin C, lots of water and some much needed rest. Yet when a bunny is suffering from these indicators, it may be more than sniffles. It may be snuffles, an upper respiratory infection that is caused by bacteria. Rabbits with snuffles could have a variety of symptoms, because the term is very general. Normally though, it will appear as if the bunny just has a bad cold.
Essentially, snuffles refers to any sort of sickness that is caused by a bacterial pathogen known as pasteuralla multocide. This bacterium is commonly found in rabbits. Snuffles can also come from other bacteria such as
pseudomonas auruginosa,
bordatella bronchiseptica, and
Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial species have different sensitivities and resistances to antibiotics, so it is important to let a veterinarian determine what pathogen has infected your rabbit.
Snuffles is most obvious when the rabbit is sneezing and showing signs of a nasal discharge. Sometimes the rabbit's eyes may be oozing this discharge as well. The liquid is normally thick and white. Snuffles must be treated with an antibiotic, in order to fight a bacterial infection that could lead to a dangerous illness. Take your bunny to the vet for an examination, and he or she will be able to issue a culture and sensitivity test. This laboratory test will determine the species of bacteria that has created the infection as well as the best rabbit-friendly antibiotics to remedy the problem and get your bunny healthy.
The culture and sensitivity test is completed by taking some of the white mucus from your rabbit's nasal cavity and testing it in a chemical lab to determine its components. Once the illness is decided, you may need to keep your bunny on antibiotics for several weeks. You should always continue the antibiotic for its entire duration, even if the symptoms have long since disappeared. This is because while your bunny may be recovering, the bacteria may not have entirely left his or her system yet.
An antibiotic known as Baytril is commonly issued to bunnies with snuffles, but it has been proven to only put the disease in remission. Another antibiotic called Orbax can also help to put the bacterial infection into a decrease. Both medications are not known to cause pain or harmful side-effects. Some rabbits will eat the medication if it is placed on their feed pellets, but other bunnies may be pickier. If you have a picky rabbit on your hands, try hiding the medicine in a mashed banana or some applesauce. The Dutch Rabbit Association also suggests putting the medication in a syringe to feed it to the rabbit.
If you are a breeder and your rabbits are contracting snuffles, it is best to remove the affected animals from your herd. Watch bunnies with runny noses, and if the symptoms persist take them out of the barn where the other rabbits are kept. If a rabbit is pregnant when she contracts snuffles, she may pass it onto her kits. They babies will not have symptoms of snuffles when they are born, but the bacteria may permeate their system two or three months later. While snuffles can go into remission and stay ineffective, it may never actually go away. You will want to consult your vet about the best way to take care of the problem. That way, with his or her help, you will be able to push your pet back towards a healthy lifestyle.