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Snuffles and treatment questions

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter

Mama Doe
Hi

My four year old lop eared cross has had snuffles for about the last year. Prior to that he was getting frequent issues of not eating but since the snuffles he has not had this problem.

I am nebulising pretty much every evening using saline and F10 - although my vet said nebulising with distilled water is better. If I use cooled down hot water and mix with F10 will this keep ok?

Currently using a carrier with a cover over it, but think clear box will probably work better, still to do.

The snuffles isn't horrendous, I have seen worse, but he is quite a light rabbit (about 2kg) and he prefers grass to anything, but also likes his veg too. Definitely not a good hay eater.

Is there any particular foods that would build him up a bit? He doesn't particularly seem that steady on his back legs sometimes, assume to do with the snuffles. He had a moment a few months back when he lost his balance, and had temporary head tilt but not since.

Also have Echinacea drops but unsure how many to put in his water bowl.

Thanks, sorry lots of questions!
Suzanne
 
I have no idea about the nebulising as when Doughnut had snuffles she had antibiotics. She has been given Echinacea though. My specialist told me to syringe it to her, she had 1ml. If you put it in water he said she wouldn't get enough of it to make a difference.

As for building up he suggested alfalfa hay and she loved this. I gave her a handful a day and she put on weight.
 
Beatrix Potter said:
Hi

My four year old lop eared cross has had snuffles for about the last year. Prior to that he was getting frequent issues of not eating but since the snuffles he has not had this problem.

I am nebulising pretty much every evening using saline and F10 - although my vet said nebulising with distilled water is better. If I use cooled down hot water and mix with F10 will this keep ok?

Currently using a carrier with a cover over it, but think clear box will probably work better, still to do.

The snuffles isn't horrendous, I have seen worse, but he is quite a light rabbit (about 2kg) and he prefers grass to anything, but also likes his veg too. Definitely not a good hay eater.

Is there any particular foods that would build him up a bit? He doesn't particularly seem that steady on his back legs sometimes, assume to do with the snuffles. He had a moment a few months back when he lost his balance, and had temporary head tilt but not since.

Also have Echinacea drops but unsure how many to put in his water bowl.

Thanks, sorry lots of questions!
Suzanne
Click to expand...

Alarm bells have started to ring for me on reading this

Beatrix Potter said:
He doesn't particularly seem that steady on his back legs sometimes, assume to do with the snuffles. He had a moment a few months back when he lost his balance, and had temporary head tilt but not since.
Click to expand...


As you probably know, URTI and ear infections are often linked. Your Rabbit's vestibular symptoms (previous slight head tilt, now unsteady on back legs) might indicate that the core of the infection is actually in the middle ear.

http://www.veterinarywebinars.com/m...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

Has your Rabbit had any skull radiographs taken ? Is he on systemic antibiotics ?
 
I was just about to say the same thing as Jane, I would be conscious of the possibity of an ear infection and it's something that you should talk to your vet about. Xx
 
cpayne said:
I have no idea about the nebulising as when Doughnut had snuffles she had antibiotics. She has been given Echinacea though. My specialist told me to syringe it to her, she had 1ml. If you put it in water he said she wouldn't get enough of it to make a difference.

As for building up he suggested alfalfa hay and she loved this. I gave her a handful a day and she put on weight.
Click to expand...

Thanks cpayne :) I remember the vet suggested alfalfa hay but Bracken turned his nose up at it!
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Alarm bells have started to ring for me on reading this

[/B]

As you probably know, URTI and ear infections are often linked. Your Rabbit's vestibular symptoms (previous slight head tilt, now unsteady on back legs) might indicate that the core of the infection is actually in the middle ear.

http://www.veterinarywebinars.com/m...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

Has your Rabbit had any skull radiographs taken ? Is he on systemic antibiotics ?
Click to expand...

Thanks Jane, I will take a look at the link. Not had any skull radiographs taken, and my vet didn't think he needed to stay on his antibiotics as didn't seem that snuffly to her.
 
Another vote for possibly getting his ears looked at. When having ear infections - bunnies aren't really snuffly as the infection is in the ear and can be very painful. This might also be the reason why he isn't keen on hay, as when my Honey had a middle ear infection she stopped eating hay completely, but once on higher pain relief starting eating it again.

Topping up the vibes for him xxx
 
Ruthyjones89 said:
Another vote for possibly getting his ears looked at. When having ear infections - bunnies aren't really snuffly as the infection is in the ear and can be very painful. This might also be the reason why he isn't keen on hay, as when my Honey had a middle ear infection she stopped eating hay completely, but once on higher pain relief starting eating it again.

Topping up the vibes for him xxx
Click to expand...

Thanks - I will definitely make him an appointment regarding ears! Will keep you all posted :)
 
Hi
Bracken's ears have been looked at and they are clear. He showed no signs of any balance issues at the vets and he was given a thorough check up. His teeth were getting sharp spurs again though (he had these rasped several weeks ago), so this was done again. Vet doesn't think he seems too snuffly although been told to keep going with the nebulising (I really need to do this more) and now on metacam. Weight also dropped slightly probably because of teeth although I hadn't noticed any issues with him not eating.
Vet still thinks he is probably stressed, he lives with a very dominant wildie, I am going to start putting some flower rems in the water for her dominance, I tried them when they were newly bonded and I did think they made a slight difference.
 
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