Chronic snuffles - would value opinions please

As many of you already know, Santa has been a chronic snuffler for several years now. Two x-rays a couple of years apart show that elongated molar tooth roots is a significant factor, and of course she is a tiny flat faced nethie so there isn't much room in her nasal passages for drainage of thick pus. Two culture & sensitivity tests have been unfruitful, neither having been able to grow anything. Cytology from a nasal flush identified large quantities of pus, inflammatory tissue and eosinophils (linked to allergic response).

She has been through just about every antibiotic in the book and most recently has had a month of penicillin which is now just coming to an end although obviously there is the option to continue. In addition she is nebulised with saline/F10 daily and has bisolvon and meloxicam. This morning though she is as snotty as I have ever known her :? We have talked about antihistamines before but on the advice of an exotics expert at the time we didn't go with it - their advice was that the infection is the primary issue and we should try and concentrate on getting this under control. Most of the snot is very deep white so does seem to be pus rather than allergy, even if there is allergy/irritation there too.

In herself, Santa is behaving normally and doesn't seem unduly bothered other than when she has a big sneezy fit which is a few times daily. In fact since her recent dental and penicillin she is eating better than I remember for years - although it's a bit difficult to tell what I should attribute that to.

My vet is away at the moment but I've left a message for her to give me a ring on her return on Monday. I'd be grateful for any suggestions that anyone may have as to what we might discuss trying next :?

My Lily has chronic snuffles.
When shes bad we treat her...when shes not so bad, we leave it alone.
She lives indoors so I know her every sneeze.She has the most ferocious appetite for food, let alone for life itself.
An xray revealed her lung tissue goes up into the kyphosis of her spine.My vet has NEVER seen anything like it and hes an exotic specialist.Showed pics to the guys he lectures.
However long Lilys life is going to be, I feel she has the best possible treatment.Shes been through so much at 17 months old.
She responds very well to the treatment....just baytril and metacam.Been there and done that in all other stuff....
Probably not much help....but antibiotics are the same in animals as humans.Tolerance to antibiotics and all that.Would rather have something she responds to than nothing.

Maybe reconsider the antihistamine, was their any downside to them or was it just a case of try other things first? Has she got worse since being in the new run? Perhaps more exposure to pollen?

Yeah I'm wondering about at least trying the antihistamine again too. There doesn't seem to be a particular issue with trying a bunnysafe although unlicensed one, I guess I'm just worried about throwing yet another new drug at a 7 year old rabbit and having no idea whether it's going to help or not :? Also, as there is clearly infection there, is sneezing from an allergy actually helping as it is clearing out some of the pus? I have no idea, it was just a thought :?

Thanks Yvette - Santa's lungs always sound clear and the x-rays both showed them to be fine. I think the main problem is that her nasal passages are so tiny that it doesn't take much to cause her a problem.

Santa said:

Yeah I'm wondering about at least trying the antihistamine again too. There doesn't seem to be a particular issue with trying a bunnysafe although unlicensed one, I guess I'm just worried about throwing yet another new drug at a 7 year old rabbit and having no idea whether it's going to help or not :? Also, as there is clearly infection there, is sneezing from an allergy actually helping as it is clearing out some of the pus? I have no idea, it was just a thought :?

Thanks Yvette - Santa's lungs always sound clear and the x-rays both showed them to be fine. I think the main problem is that her nasal passages are so tiny that it doesn't take much to cause her a problem.

Click to expand...

Lily is a Nethie too......just thought Id mention.
Poor wee bunnies.Not fair is it??

Santa said:

Yeah I'm wondering about at least trying the antihistamine again too. There doesn't seem to be a particular issue with trying a bunnysafe although unlicensed one, I guess I'm just worried about throwing yet another new drug at a 7 year old rabbit and having no idea whether it's going to help or not :? Also, as there is clearly infection there, is sneezing from an allergy actually helping as it is clearing out some of the pus? I have no idea, it was just a thought :?
.

Click to expand...

Are her nasal passages tiny because of how ickle she is, or tiny because they are inflamed?

Maybe get Simone to give William another call see if he has any more ideas :?

louise and Gus said:

Are her nasal passages tiny because of how ickle she is, or tiny because they are inflamed?
Maybe get Simone to give William another call see if he has any more ideas :?

Click to expand...

Yeah good idea - she seems to have copious notes from various lectures of his which she gets out on a regular basis when I'm there :lol:

On the nasal passages - probably a bit of both...they shouldn't be too inflamed because she has metacam daily but I bet they are more than they 'should' be.

Hope you find something that works. My bun has terrible hay fever and he is really suffering this year. I feel so sorry for him. There's no disharge just alot of sneezing. I have had some success with adding enchinea to his water to boost his immune system. maybe you could ask a vet if it was safe to try this alongside santas meds?

What do you use in her nebuliser ?

Would nebulising abx and a steroid be possible ? The absorption of steroids when nebulised should just be confined to the target area I think :?

Thanks Amy - yes I forgot about the echinacea, I tend to give her the bisolvon in an echinacea/water solution - it's yummy apparently!

I nebulise a solution of F10 in saline at the moment, I will ask about abx/steroids in the nebuliser and see what she thinks.

I feel a question about drugs for nebulisers coming on for the RWA conference :lol:

Jack's-Jane said:

The absorption of steroids when nebulised should just be confined to the target area I think :?

Click to expand...

In humans topical or inhaled corticosteroids/glucocorticoids are far less likely to have any systemic effects via this route of administration than oral steroid use, but there is still a 'degree of risk' and certainly in higher doses. I don't know if this applies to rabbits, but just thought i'd mention it. It will be interesting to hear what the exotics vets feel about topical/inhaled steroid use, certainly in the fight for other chronic snuffle buns. I hope that you can find something to help your bunny.