Last night I noticed Bluebell was making a strange wheezing/squeaking noise when she was sat next to me on the sofa but it was only every now and again. She's just been eating hay and sounding like she was gulping air (hard to describe). Now she's led down and looks like she has hiccups. She's eating, pooing and acting as normal besides the noises...should I be concerned?
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Strange noises
- Thread starter Theo
- Start date
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Personally I would want her examined by a Rabbit savvy Vet. The symptoms you are describing might (and I emphasise the word 'might') be indicative of something going on in her chest/respiratory tract.
A Rabbit Savvy Vet should thoroughly examine Bluebell, listening carefully to her heart and lungs, checking for any signs of upper respiratory tract problems, examining her abdomen and noting her respiratory rate/effort.
Most Rabbit Savvy Vets will usually take a look at the Rabbits teeth too, even if the presenting symptoms do not obviously point towards dental problems.
Thanks for your reply! She had a health check about 6 weeks ago when I got her so wouldn't something have been picked up then? She has since had a spay and vaccinations with a check over each time. Her teeth were fine. I'll keep an eye on her - just though...she's on a different brand of hay so maybe that could be the cause?
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
If a 'symptom' that has only just developed (as I assume to be the case) then any cause would not necessarily be evident 6 weeks ago.
Yes, some Rabbits can have allergies and some types of hay/ hay dust can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. But you also mentioned the 'hiccuping' and if that were an ongoing issue, in conjunction with the noisy breathing I would still want a Vet to examine her.
If the 'hiccuping' was just a one off thing and completely unrelated to the noisy breathing then maybe the new hay may be causing an allergic reaction
MightyMax
Banned
Hi Theo
I would keep a close eye or in this case ear, at the moment. It could be a precursor to gut slowdown, but not necessarily.
I sometimes have rabbits who have one off hiccups, but more than that probably needs investigating
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Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
She hasn't made any strange noises this afternoon but here's a video of what I mean about the 'hiccups'
If the 'hiccuping' is happening a lot- ie not just a one off, or only happening very occasionally then it is abnormal. Especially if it is happening daily/several times a day. As previously stated, personally I would want to consult a Vet.
MightyMax
Banned
She hasn't made any strange noises this afternoon but here's a video of what I mean about the 'hiccups'
Yeah, I would keep an eye on it, and if it's happening more than just once or twice you'd better take her in
