We adopted a pair of male rabbits last week (Norman and Arthur) who are about 6 months old. They came with a health check but pretty quickly we noticed that Norman would occasionally 'sneeze' or perhaps more accurately, try to blow something out of his nose.
I took them to my vet for a check up. I have been using the vet for about 9 years with our previous 2 rabbits so I trust her.
The vet said to give it time as they had only just moved in with us and she couldnt see anything obviously wrong such as an infection.
One week on and the 'sneezing' has suddenly got worse after I had thought it was much better. He tried to wash his nose after its happened and licks his tongue around his mouth. I rushed Norman to the vets again today and she couldnt see anything in his mouth although he wasnt the most obliging of patients.
She has prescribed metacam for 5 days and then we can try and have an operation on his mouth to have more of a look. The vet was of the opinion that something could be working its way out of his nose / mouth and that is why it is irritating him even more. Also, he has definitely been a bit bad tempted towards his brother in recent days (normally there are no issues) so I think it is bothering him.
He had a dose of metacam a couple of hours ago and if anything, when he sneezes now it is even more violent. It is quite distressing to watch but once he stops he is happy and will happily eat / run around and create havoc outside of his hutch (he is a house rabbit).
So how long should I give it before going back? The vet seemed to think I should try the metacam before rushing into an operation but I hate to watch him sneeze so violently.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
I took them to my vet for a check up. I have been using the vet for about 9 years with our previous 2 rabbits so I trust her.
The vet said to give it time as they had only just moved in with us and she couldnt see anything obviously wrong such as an infection.
One week on and the 'sneezing' has suddenly got worse after I had thought it was much better. He tried to wash his nose after its happened and licks his tongue around his mouth. I rushed Norman to the vets again today and she couldnt see anything in his mouth although he wasnt the most obliging of patients.
She has prescribed metacam for 5 days and then we can try and have an operation on his mouth to have more of a look. The vet was of the opinion that something could be working its way out of his nose / mouth and that is why it is irritating him even more. Also, he has definitely been a bit bad tempted towards his brother in recent days (normally there are no issues) so I think it is bothering him.
He had a dose of metacam a couple of hours ago and if anything, when he sneezes now it is even more violent. It is quite distressing to watch but once he stops he is happy and will happily eat / run around and create havoc outside of his hutch (he is a house rabbit).
So how long should I give it before going back? The vet seemed to think I should try the metacam before rushing into an operation but I hate to watch him sneeze so violently.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks