Possible Snuffles, need help with other things I can do

Hi All, we have a lovely lionhead x lop called Cwtch, she has the most perfect nature and we loves her to bits. She's around 4 years old and has very recently developed a "cold" although her breathing is now affected. We took her to the vets yesterday and she was given baytril and we were told she has snuffles (I have googled images and we have had no eye discharge at all just a runny nose and now raspy breathing). We have been given baytril to give twice daily at 0.6ml orally for a week and nothing else.

She is a fighter I know and I want to give her the best possible chance. The vet has said nothing about probiotics (gave her a 50/50 chance) so I've just ordered some protexin bio lapsis to put in her water as this what my google research told me. What else can I do?? she's in the house now 24/7, usually if the weathers Ok she's in a big hutch and run and we bring her in when its wet or cold but I've got her in indefinitely now and I think if she gets over this I will keep her in.

What else can I do for her please? Also the vet said that she has a lump under her front leg, I have found a pea sized one on her shoulder..... I'm at my wits end.. I just want to make her better

If they haven't already, get the vets to do a nasal swab to find out what type of bacteria is causing the discharge. Baytril is the "go to" med for vets when they see a snotty nose BUT it doesn't always effect all types of bacteria. Septrin is a better medication for snuffles I think?

It doesn't sound like you have a very good rabbit vet,as a week's course of Baytril is far too short. Remove any wood shavings if there is any in her housing as this will make things worse and try to find a rabbit savvy vet (you can ask on here by giving your location). A good vet would very likely take a swab of her discharge to match it up with the best antibiotic.

Your rabbit is still really young at 4 so could have many years ahead of her. I can't advise on the lumps I'm afraid.

Sending well wishes for your bunny xxx

Hi Thanks for the quick replies, I've just looked at the vets bill and they also gave her a shot of metacam, now I know in my dogs this doesn't last very long, should she be getting that more frequently? I do have some metacam for small dogs (I saw they gave her cat metacam) if so I could give her that ??

Also what can I give her foodwise that may support her? I am a believer in we are what we eat... So if anyone know any good foods/supplements?

I currently give her meadow hay (makes up the bulk of her diet) chudleys rabbit royale and she has barley straw as bedding, she also gets different grasses and some dandelions and I also when I can get to that particular shop, buy her the herbie mix for rabbits which is different herbs dried almost like hay.

Thinking I may try some Echinacea?

And thanks, I'll get the swab done, I was reading about Septrin and did wonder.

Thanks she needs it

TracieBDT said:

Hi Thanks for the quick replies, I've just looked at the vets bill and they also gave her a shot of metacam, now I know in my dogs this doesn't last very long, should she be getting that more frequently? I do have some metacam for small dogs (I saw they gave her cat metacam) if so I could give her that ??

Also what can I give her foodwise that may support her? I am a believer in we are what we eat... So if anyone know any good foods/supplements?

I currently give her meadow hay (makes up the bulk of her diet) chudleys rabbit royale and she has barley straw as bedding, she also gets different grasses and some dandelions and I also when I can get to that particular shop, buy her the herbie mix for rabbits which is different herbs dried almost like hay.

Thinking I may try some Echinacea?

And thanks, I'll get the swab done, I was reading about Septrin and did wonder.

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Poor little girl - snuffles is awful My little Cheyenne came down with it when she was 9 weeks old and a tiny thing and was on baytril for weeks which didn't seem to help - but then someone on here mentioned Echinacea so I started giving her CONEFLOWER - which is the herb/flower that is the source of Echincea - she loved the stuff and very quickly got better after that so it is worth trying.

All my 9 buns are bring treated for EC - and part of their meds regime is Echinacea as it helps their immune system - so they are all getting it everyday now. You can buy it in some shops - but I get it from Hay Experts. It's definitely worth a try.

Thanks I'll order some, I'm willing to try anything

I'm surprised you weren't given metacam to give to her as well as Doughnut had a respiratory infection a few month ago and had baytril and metacam. Metacam helps reduce the inflammation. The cat one isn't as strong as the dog one. Before you start administering yourself since you don't know the dosage I would do as tonibun suggested and ask for a recommendation for a rabbit savvy vet in your area. whereabouts are you? I would then take your bunny there as soon as possible. Normally septrin is given if the baytril doesn't work, I noticed an improvement on day 7 but she also had metacam so she was painfree.

My specialist also has recommended echinecea before so he seems to think it is beneficial.

Fellie said:

Poor little girl - snuffles is awful My little Cheyenne came down with it when she was 9 weeks old and a tiny thing and was on baytril for weeks which didn't seem to help - but then someone on here mentioned Echinacea so I started giving her CONEFLOWER - which is the herb/flower that is the source of Echincea - she loved the stuff and very quickly got better after that so it is worth trying.

All my 9 buns are bring treated for EC - and part of their meds regime is Echinacea as it helps their immune system - so they are all getting it everyday now. You can buy it in some shops - but I get it from Hay Experts. It's definitely worth a try.

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Yes it was me, and I often recommend Echinacea, as it really does boost the immune system. Use it for three weeks at a time, and then one week off.

If there's no improvement with the Baytril (and one week's course isn't really long enough) then ask the vet to change antibiotic to something like Septrin.

My vet suggests that an 8 day course of Septrin is enough for a snuffly rabbit, but I disagree with that too! I think much longer courses are needed.

A deep nasal swab is only obtainable under GA and may not provide any useful info - I would go ahead with the antibiotics anyway.

The lumps and you and the vet have found are not connected with the snuffles and will need investigating separately.

Good luck and welcome to RU :wave:

cpayne said:

I'm surprised you weren't given metacam to give to her as well as Doughnut had a respiratory infection a few month ago and had baytril and metacam. Metacam helps reduce the inflammation. The cat one isn't as strong as the dog one. Before you start administering yourself since you don't know the dosage I would do as tonibun suggested and ask for a recommendation for a rabbit savvy vet in your area. whereabouts are you? I would then take your bunny there as soon as possible. Normally septrin is given if the baytril doesn't work, I noticed an improvement on day 7 but she also had metacam so she was painfree.

My specialist also has recommended echinecea before so he seems to think it is beneficial.

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This is very sound advice. The 'lump' under your Rabbit's front leg may or may not be related to the respiratory tract infection. If the bacteria involved in the RTI were to be Pasteurella this can also cause 'spontaneous' abscesses. But the lump may be an enlarged lymph node, a cyst or some type of lipoma (fatty lump). So another good reason to try to obtain a second opinion from a Rabbit Savvy Vet.

Is Cwtch spayed ?

cpayne said:

I'm surprised you weren't given metacam to give to her as well as Doughnut had a respiratory infection a few month ago and had baytril and metacam. Metacam helps reduce the inflammation. The cat one isn't as strong as the dog one. Before you start administering yourself since you don't know the dosage I would do as tonibun suggested and ask for a recommendation for a rabbit savvy vet in your area. whereabouts are you? I would then take your bunny there as soon as possible. Normally septrin is given if the baytril doesn't work, I noticed an improvement on day 7 but she also had metacam so she was painfree.

My specialist also has recommended echinecea before so he seems to think it is beneficial.

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That's good to know CPayne :thumb:

Any news on your little bunny?