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Weird breathing?

tillyandtheo

New Kit
Hello
My rabbit, Theo, has been breathing oddly for a few months now. There's no other way for me to describe it except for how it sounds as though he has a blocked nose - it's very sniffly. (It's not snoring, I've watched videos online and it's not as loud or high pitched, its more as if hes snorting quietly). He still acts completely fine, he has been eating, drinking, binkying, etc. But today I went outside to see him and when i stroked him, he felt oddly skinny. I'm not sure whether I'm just imagining it, because when I took out some lettuce and a treat he ate them eagerly. I picked him up and the breathing became more intense (he's never liked being picked up, though - so I'm assuming that might be why?)
I have another rabbit, Tilly, who is completely fine and has never breathed like Theo does. I'm not sure if it's normal and some rabbits get it, or whether it's a sign that something is wrong.
When I put them out to play in the grass, he runs about and I don't tend to hear the breathing then - whether that's just me growing immune to it or not I'm unsure.

I'm going to take him to the vet tomorrow, but I'd just like to know whether anyone else has experienced this or whether it is something rare? And also, if any advice could be given regarding what I could do for my rabbit in the meantime, or perhaps a way to prevent it?

I feel quite bad because I've recently had exams and not had much time to spend with them, and it's worried me that I may have neglected them a bit:( I love them to bits so things like this worry me.

Please give any advice, and let me know if this has been known before?

Millie x
 
Hello
My rabbit, Theo, has been breathing oddly for a few months now. There's no other way for me to describe it except for how it sounds as though he has a blocked nose - it's very sniffly. (It's not snoring, I've watched videos online and it's not as loud or high pitched, its more as if hes snorting quietly). He still acts completely fine, he has been eating, drinking, binkying, etc. But today I went outside to see him and when i stroked him, he felt oddly skinny. I'm not sure whether I'm just imagining it, because when I took out some lettuce and a treat he ate them eagerly. I picked him up and the breathing became more intense (he's never liked being picked up, though - so I'm assuming that might be why?)
I have another rabbit, Tilly, who is completely fine and has never breathed like Theo does. I'm not sure if it's normal and some rabbits get it, or whether it's a sign that something is wrong.
When I put them out to play in the grass, he runs about and I don't tend to hear the breathing then - whether that's just me growing immune to it or not I'm unsure.

I'm going to take him to the vet tomorrow, but I'd just like to know whether anyone else has experienced this or whether it is something rare? And also, if any advice could be given regarding what I could do for my rabbit in the meantime, or perhaps a way to prevent it?

I feel quite bad because I've recently had exams and not had much time to spend with them, and it's worried me that I may have neglected them a bit:( I love them to bits so things like this worry me.

Please give any advice, and let me know if this has been known before?

Millie x


Hi Millie and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I am sorry to hear about Theo's breathing.

I have just begun a thread about rabbits who are sniffly/snotty and weight loss. I am trying to establish a connection and then see how best to deal with it.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...snotty-nose-and-weight-loss-have-a-connection

Of course, Theo may not be in this category at all, but alarm bells rang and I wanted you to know that you are not alone :)

It's good to know that his appetite is still good. I would be very interested in what the vet says when you take him tomorrow.

Please don't worry about having neglected him - life happens and we all have a lot to do. We do our best for caring for our rabbit friends, and they don't make it easy for us the way they hide their illnesses ..
 
Hi Millie and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I am sorry to hear about Theo's breathing.

I have just begun a thread about rabbits who are sniffly/snotty and weight loss. I am trying to establish a connection and then see how best to deal with it.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...snotty-nose-and-weight-loss-have-a-connection

Of course, Theo may not be in this category at all, but alarm bells rang and I wanted you to know that you are not alone :)

It's good to know that his appetite is still good. I would be very interested in what the vet says when you take him tomorrow.

Please don't worry about having neglected him - life happens and we all have a lot to do. We do our best for caring for our rabbit friends, and they don't make it easy for us the way they hide their illnesses ..

Thank you!

That thread has really helped
 
Hello
My rabbit, Theo, has been breathing oddly for a few months now. There's no other way for me to describe it except for how it sounds as though he has a blocked nose - it's very sniffly. (It's not snoring, I've watched videos online and it's not as loud or high pitched, its more as if hes snorting quietly). He still acts completely fine, he has been eating, drinking, binkying, etc. But today I went outside to see him and when i stroked him, he felt oddly skinny. I'm not sure whether I'm just imagining it, because when I took out some lettuce and a treat he ate them eagerly. I picked him up and the breathing became more intense (he's never liked being picked up, though - so I'm assuming that might be why?)
I have another rabbit, Tilly, who is completely fine and has never breathed like Theo does. I'm not sure if it's normal and some rabbits get it, or whether it's a sign that something is wrong.
When I put them out to play in the grass, he runs about and I don't tend to hear the breathing then - whether that's just me growing immune to it or not I'm unsure.

I'm going to take him to the vet tomorrow, but I'd just like to know whether anyone else has experienced this or whether it is something rare? And also, if any advice could be given regarding what I could do for my rabbit in the meantime, or perhaps a way to prevent it?

I feel quite bad because I've recently had exams and not had much time to spend with them, and it's worried me that I may have neglected them a bit:( I love them to bits so things like this worry me.

Please give any advice, and let me know if this has been known before?

Millie x

You are wise to be consulting your Vet today and I hope all goes well. 'Odd' breathing can be due to a Respiratory Tract infection, but there are other possible causes too. Weightloss may be caused by the fact that the Rabbit is burning dietary calories fighting infection. Or the Rabbit may have an underlying condition causing weightloss,( there are several possibilities) which in turn leads to the Rabbit developing an active RTI. Many Rabbits carry Pasteurella in their respiratory tract but at a sub-clinical level. Symptoms only presenting when the Rabbit's immune system is challenged by other physiological stressors.

http://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/digestive/c_rb_weight_loss

So weightloss may be both a symptom of a RTI or part of the cause. Hence getting the Rabbit examined by a Rabbit Savvy Vet ASAP is the best way forward. Good luck :)
 
You are wise to be consulting your Vet today and I hope all goes well. 'Odd' breathing can be due to a Respiratory Tract infection, but there are other possible causes too. Weightloss may be caused by the fact that the Rabbit is burning dietary calories fighting infection. Or the Rabbit may have an underlying condition causing weightloss,( there are several possibilities) which in turn leads to the Rabbit developing an active RTI. Many Rabbits carry Pasteurella in their respiratory tract but at a sub-clinical level. Symptoms only presenting when the Rabbit's immune system is challenged by other physiological stressors.

http://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/digestive/c_rb_weight_loss

So weightloss may be both a symptom of a RTI or part of the cause. Hence getting the Rabbit examined by a Rabbit Savvy Vet ASAP is the best way forward. Good luck :)

Thank you so much for this info! Im glad that people know about this and it shows im not alone
 
Thank you! The appointment is at 2:40. I'm a bit nervous but will let you know what they say


Perhaps write things down - the questions you wish to ask? Vets can be a bit daunting, and sometimes its hard to take in everything they say. I always write down (or ask them to) whatever it is they refer to.

My specialist, when she recently did some diagnostics on my rabbit, said - 'I've written everything down for you already as I know you would want that!' :D
 
Perhaps write things down - the questions you wish to ask? Vets can be a bit daunting, and sometimes its hard to take in everything they say. I always write down (or ask them to) whatever it is they refer to.

My specialist, when she recently did some diagnostics on my rabbit, said - 'I've written everything down for you already as I know you would want that!' :D

That's a really good idea - i tend to forget things easily, especially on things like this. Im just desperate for him to be okay x
 

Hello:)
I went to the vets earlier. She found that Theo has a mild case of pneumonia and has prescribed him anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotic medicine.
I asked how I could prevent my other rabbit Tilly from getting pneumonia too and she said I need to try to keep the hutch clean and dry as much as possible and give them lots of fresh air, so I got home and straight away put them out on the grass, and cleaned out their hutch thoroughly.
I'm feeling quite upset about it because I heard the word pneumonia and immediately assumed the worst. I really hope he's okay.
I gave him his medicine earlier and he cried - I dont think he liked the taste - but seeing him like this has really shook me up.
Hoping he gets better and puts on some weight. I'm overthinking now because it's raining outside and I'm worried hes cold (even though I've put lots of straw out for him). I keep going and checking on him but I just don't know how to feel - hes almost 2 and has never been ill before, and Tilly is 2 today and has also never been ill.
Sorry for the lengthy message - I'm just a bit worried :(
 
Hello:)
I went to the vets earlier. She found that Theo has a mild case of pneumonia and has prescribed him anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotic medicine.
I asked how I could prevent my other rabbit Tilly from getting pneumonia too and she said I need to try to keep the hutch clean and dry as much as possible and give them lots of fresh air, so I got home and straight away put them out on the grass, and cleaned out their hutch thoroughly.
I'm feeling quite upset about it because I heard the word pneumonia and immediately assumed the worst. I really hope he's okay.
I gave him his medicine earlier and he cried - I dont think he liked the taste - but seeing him like this has really shook me up.
Hoping he gets better and puts on some weight. I'm overthinking now because it's raining outside and I'm worried hes cold (even though I've put lots of straw out for him). I keep going and checking on him but I just don't know how to feel - hes almost 2 and has never been ill before, and Tilly is 2 today and has also never been ill.
Sorry for the lengthy message - I'm just a bit worried :(

I am sorry to hear that he has pneumonia :cry: I have a Rabbit who also has it at the moment and she is on a very long course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. We have had some scary moments, but now she is slowly showing signs of improvement as far as her lungs are concerned. I hope that your Rabbit will respond to treatment too x
 
I am sorry to hear that he has pneumonia :cry: I have a Rabbit who also has it at the moment and she is on a very long course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. We have had some scary moments, but now she is slowly showing signs of improvement as far as her lungs are concerned. I hope that your Rabbit will respond to treatment too x

I'm so glad to hear she is showing improvement!! Has she has it for long and was it a mild case she was diagnosed with or a strong one? Can it deteriorate? Sorry for asking so many questions, I'm just so upset and I want to know what's happening x
 
Hello:)
I went to the vets earlier. She found that Theo has a mild case of pneumonia and has prescribed him anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotic medicine.
I asked how I could prevent my other rabbit Tilly from getting pneumonia too and she said I need to try to keep the hutch clean and dry as much as possible and give them lots of fresh air, so I got home and straight away put them out on the grass, and cleaned out their hutch thoroughly.
I'm feeling quite upset about it because I heard the word pneumonia and immediately assumed the worst. I really hope he's okay.
I gave him his medicine earlier and he cried - I dont think he liked the taste - but seeing him like this has really shook me up.
Hoping he gets better and puts on some weight. I'm overthinking now because it's raining outside and I'm worried hes cold (even though I've put lots of straw out for him). I keep going and checking on him but I just don't know how to feel - hes almost 2 and has never been ill before, and Tilly is 2 today and has also never been ill.
Sorry for the lengthy message - I'm just a bit worried :(


I am so glad that Theo has a mild case of pneumonia and I am very hopeful that it can be treated successfully.

I am currently nursing a rabbit with a very bad lower respiratory infection/pneumonia. It's quite daunting, but I am hopeful of a good outcome. Your rabbit is very young, and we have to be confident that he will shake off the illness with antibiotics.

What antibiotics has the vet given?

Hugs to you. Try not to worry too much.
You can always PM me anytime :)
 
I am so glad that Theo has a mild case of pneumonia and I am very hopeful that it can be treated successfully.

I am currently nursing a rabbit with a very bad lower respiratory infection/pneumonia. It's quite daunting, but I am hopeful of a good outcome. Your rabbit is very young, and we have to be confident that he will shake off the illness with antibiotics.

What antibiotics has the vet given?

Hugs to you. Try not to worry too much.
You can always PM me anytime :)

Thank you so much, this is so reassuring.:)
Theo seems very lively and when i put him on the grass he was bounding and binkying around so that gave me some relief.
That's such a shame about the rabbit. How did the severe case develop? Did it start off as mild and deteriorate?
The vet gave me loxicom, inflammatory medicine and sulfatrium which is the antibiotic.
Praying that they work!
 
Thank you so much, this is so reassuring.:)
Theo seems very lively and when i put him on the grass he was bounding and binkying around so that gave me some relief.
That's such a shame about the rabbit. How did the severe case develop? Did it start off as mild and deteriorate?
The vet gave me loxicom, inflammatory medicine and sulfatrium which is the antibiotic.
Praying that they work!

Sulfatrim is very good at tackling RTIs :) Hopefully you will see some improvement within the next 2-3 days. My Rabbit had a severe infection, but she is frail and elderly (9.5 years) so illnesses hit her harder than they may do a young Bunny. It sounds as though your boy is feeling OK within himself :)
 
Thank you so much, this is so reassuring.:)
Theo seems very lively and when i put him on the grass he was bounding and binkying around so that gave me some relief.
That's such a shame about the rabbit. How did the severe case develop? Did it start off as mild and deteriorate?
The vet gave me loxicom, inflammatory medicine and sulfatrium which is the antibiotic.
Praying that they work!


Ah you're very welcome :)

It was quite unexpected, but Sulfatrim (Trimethoprim Sulfa) is an excellent antibiotic.
How long a course did the vet prescribe?

He sounds like he has a good immune system, and should hopefully make a really good recovery :)
 
Ah you're very welcome :)

It was quite unexpected, but Sulfatrim (Trimethoprim Sulfa) is an excellent antibiotic.
How long a course did the vet prescribe?

He sounds like he has a good immune system, and should hopefully make a really good recovery :)

That's great to hear:D I'm feeling a bit more optimistic than before now
Well I have to go back to the vets in a fortnight, so that she can check Theo's weight again and make sure they're working. If no progress is made she'll give him another prescription. So just going to hope it works :D
 
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