Wheezy and slight head tilt.

Hi

Just wanted to post for advice.

My 8 1/2 year old rabbit started breathing funny about three months ago. He was sounding really snufflily. He has been to the vet four times. He has been given several courses of antibiotics, usually he seems to sound better then the snuffling returns a few days after the antibiotics gave stopped. His last course finished 10 days ago, touch wood he doesn't sound too bad but he isn't eating just as much these days and we've noticed he sits with a head tilt at times. It's as if he's falling asleep and then wakes up. Maybe it's just him being sleepy.

Some days he sits facing the wall just looking lost. Some days he sits next to our other rabbits run (they are enemy's)
He also seems to quite like getting clapped now where as before he would usually want to be left alone.

Probably sounds like nothing but his behaviour just seems odd at times.

How long are the courses of antibiotics that he has been on? Respiratory infections or 'snuffles' often needs prolonged courses, and stopping treatment too soon just increases the bacteria's resistance to the antibiotics.

Take him back to the vet and speak to them. Get them to look in his ears - ear infections or mites are often the culprit with head-tilt and the same bacteria that causes snuffles can cause ear infections. Discuss different treatment options, a longer dose or a different antibiotic may work better. Make sure you take him back each time before the end of the course, so that if the vet needs to extend the course of antibiotics there is no gap in treatment.

A medicine called bisolvon could also help your rabbit breathe easier by thinning the mucus so he doesn't get so blocked up. A nebuliser or putting him in a steamy bathroom for a while may also help.

Rabbits are classed as exotic animals by vets, and so normal vets don't get much training on them. Unless they have a special interest in rabbits or exotics, it can be hard to find a normal vet that is good with rabbits, so if you feel that your vet is a bit out of their depth, don't hesitate to ask for a referral. They may just ring a specialist for some help or you may take your rabbit to go and see the specialist, either way a good vet won't mind asking for a specialist's opinion as they want what's best for your bunny.

I agree that I'd get your Rabbit's ears checked. Ear infection and Respiratory tract infections are often linked. Antibiotic treatment often needs to be lengthy, sometimes months rather than days/weeks. There are also various antibiotics that could be prescribed, not just Baytril. As nessar has stated, not all Vets are 'Rabbit Savvy' so if you feel that yours may not be then I would request a second opinion from an Exotics Specialist . Or post a thread in Rabbit Chat on here asking for 'Rabbit Savvy Vet' recommendations in your area in order to seek a second opinion.

k.mdaniels said:

Hi

Just wanted to post for advice.

My 8 1/2 year old rabbit started breathing funny about three months ago. He was sounding really snufflily. He has been to the vet four times. He has been given several courses of antibiotics, usually he seems to sound better then the snuffling returns a few days after the antibiotics gave stopped. His last course finished 10 days ago, touch wood he doesn't sound too bad but he isn't eating just as much these days and we've noticed he sits with a head tilt at times. It's as if he's falling asleep and then wakes up. Maybe it's just him being sleepy.

Some days he sits facing the wall just looking lost. Some days he sits next to our other rabbits run (they are enemy's)
He also seems to quite like getting clapped now where as before he would usually want to be left alone.

Probably sounds like nothing but his behaviour just seems odd at times.

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I'm sorry to hear about your rabbit.

I can understand you are worried, and especially given his age. It's harder for an elderly rabbit to cope with these things sometimes.

You don't mention what antibiotics he's been given, or for how long. There are several that can be tried. Vets (even good vets!) often give far too short a course and it does no good at all, so perhaps after all this time you could have a one off consult with a specialist?

It doesn't sound like nothing to me .. In a rabbit of that age I would suspect perhaps a stroke contributing to the head tilt or some ear infection.