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Snuffles, Help Needed!

HeyaBun

HeyaBun

New Kit
Hi all,

I am new to these parts but very much in need of some advice...I have two boy house buns, we have had them for just over a year and a half and they are very much an integral part of the family.

Yesterday we adopted two 6 month old girls but it was not until we got them home we realised that the smaller girl is sneezing constantly, she now has a clear discharge from her nose and a slight watery discharge from her eyes. I have seen these symptoms before in a case of snuffles and am really worried that's what we're dealing with.

I am terrified that it will spread to the healthy buns as I have heard that you never cure it, you can only manage it. The vet appointment is in the morning but I know what they will say.

Has anyone got any advice or had to deal with this themselves? I fear I'm going to have to take them back to the shelter to stop the boys from catching it :(, I would never forgive myself if they did but I worry the shelter won't want to deal with a contagious health complaint either and might put her to sleep which would be just as devastating.
 
Hello

Have you kept the new girls quarantined from your two other Rabbits ? Hopefully the Shelter recommended you do so initially.

I am assuming that the Shelter did not mention that the Doe had shown any signs of sneezing in the last few days ? It may be that the problem is allergen related rather than a bacterial infection, especially if you have her indoors and she has previously lived outdoors. Although a bacterial infection is always possible, stress can be a trigger for 'Snuffles' and moving to a new environment can be stressful for a Rabbit.

A Vet check is definitely the right course of action as a full examination will be the best way to establish exactly what you are dealing with. I hope all goes well xx
 
Thank you, J-J :)

The initial plan was for them to be indoor bunnies like the boys, but because of the sneezing I lost my nerve and put the two girls outdoors. They probably spent about 2hours inside before we made the decision to move them, but they were in a separate room.

Why do these things always happen on a Sunday when the vets are only open a half day lol. I really hope it's something simple like allergies.
 
HeyaBun said:
Thank you, J-J :)

The initial plan was for them to be indoor bunnies like the boys, but because of the sneezing I lost my nerve and put the two girls outdoors. They probably spent about 2hours inside before we made the decision to move them, but they were in a separate room.

Why do these things always happen on a Sunday when the vets are only open a half day lol. I really hope it's something simple like allergies.
Click to expand...

It sounds as though you have done all the right things, it's highly unlikely that your boys will be effected even if the Doe does have a bacterial infection. Also, it is not inevitable that a case of 'Snuffles' will be a life long problem. Symptoms can resolve after treatment and whilst they may recur at a later date, often as a response to some sort of stress, it can be that the Rabbit never has any more symptoms. So even if 'Snuffles' is diagnosed by the Vet it is not necessarily as bad a scenario as you may be thinking.
 
HeyaBun said:
Hi all,

I am new to these parts but very much in need of some advice...I have two boy house buns, we have had them for just over a year and a half and they are very much an integral part of the family.

Yesterday we adopted two 6 month old girls but it was not until we got them home we realised that the smaller girl is sneezing constantly, she now has a clear discharge from her nose and a slight watery discharge from her eyes. I have seen these symptoms before in a case of snuffles and am really worried that's what we're dealing with.

I am terrified that it will spread to the healthy buns as I have heard that you never cure it, you can only manage it. The vet appointment is in the morning but I know what they will say.

Has anyone got any advice or had to deal with this themselves? I fear I'm going to have to take them back to the shelter to stop the boys from catching it :(, I would never forgive myself if they did but I worry the shelter won't want to deal with a contagious health complaint either and might put her to sleep which would be just as devastating.
Click to expand...

A diagnosis of snuffles often strikes fear into rabbit owners, but having had over the years (and still have!) snuffles buns, it's not something I worry about too much. It's not a foregone conclusion that any of your other buns will 'catch' it - the one living with my snuffly bunny at the moment is fine in herself and always has been. A lot is to do with the immune system. A change of environment is stressful for a rabbit (however much of an upgrade it really is!) and sometimes they need a helping hand to get over an infection. Your vet may advise antibiotics.

You could also think of boosting her immune system in the same way humans do - with echinacea : http://www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-echinacea-angustifolia-herbal-fluid-extract (ask your vet about it first).

Of course it could also be an allergy to a new environment, or new hay/straw/litter ..... Do you use sawdust?

Lastly, have you spoken with the rescue centre about this? It may be they know of it, or won't be surprised, and can advise you.

Good luck at the vet tomorrow, and please don't worry!

... and even more lastly .... Welcome to the Forum :wave:
 
I have a snuffle bun, Obi is one, and thanks to all the great advice on this forum we have coped but it is very worrying, and will always be in the back of my mind. Obi has taken to sleeping on my pillow just at the top of my head (like a hat)...and this morning he sneezed right in my face, can I catch snuffles!? ;) He's quite snotty at the moment again so we're off the vets tonight for a check over. :wave:
 
Colly said:
I have a snuffle bun, Obi is one, and thanks to all the great advice on this forum we have coped but it is very worrying, and will always be in the back of my mind. Obi has taken to sleeping on my pillow just at the top of my head (like a hat)...and this morning he sneezed right in my face, can I catch snuffles!? ;) He's quite snotty at the moment again so we're off the vets tonight for a check over. :wave:
Click to expand...

Not unless you are extremely immune-compromised ... very old/young/frail, have HIV or undergoing chemo ....

http://www.willows.uk.net/general-practice-service/pet-health-information/zoonoses-in-rabbits

Just make sure you wash hands and face if you're in contact, just as a precaution :thumb:
 
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