I think you will find a lot of info on current thread Spider - # 3 -pretty luin posts direct links -
http://www. rabbit.org/pasteurella.html
http://www. rabbitwelfare.co.uk resou... multocida htm.
http://www. medirabbit.com/EN/Respira...terial/URI.pdf.
Biscandmatt current thread
http://forums. rabbitrehome.org.uk./ show thread php?t 189817 is having current success with 2nd line treatment.
Snuffles is basically a bacterial infection in the upper nasal passages & surrounding tissues, causing inflammation & swelling which blocks the nose. Buns can only breath through the nose unless very ill indeed.
RARELY the infection can spread down to the lungs causing pneumonia. Please ask your vet about symptoms.
Many vets prescribe Baytril in the 1st. instance because the bacteria are most likely to be killed by this ab.
Roughly 1/3 snuffles is caused by pasturella bacteria
1/3 by borditella bacteria
1/3 other assorted bacteria.
There are 2 basic problems with treatment.
a) To be 100% sure you are giving the right ab. for the job, the vet has to take a specimen from high in the nose. This MAY or MAY NOT need a quick GA. The specimen is tested for the type of bacteria causing the infection & which Abs. kill the bacteria (culture & sensitivity test)
b) As in Matt's case the mucus can be so thick that the ab. can't reach all the bacteria so the snuffles returns.
Matt has a nebuliser to thin the mucus & deliver the Ab to the surface of the nasal lining, when oral Abs. repeatedly failed.
Comment ;- if the snuffles returns you need a 1st. class rabbit vet.
hope this helps you.
all the best. :wave: