Snuffles / pasteurella and hay

[mismatchbunnies]

Hi, my rabbit has recently sneezing a lot and with some nasal discharge, so we took him to the vet and he was given Baytril to take for a few days as it is thought to be a respiratory infection (we’re currently on the second day of giving the antibiotic with no improvement just yet but that is expected). I’m possibly being paranoid and have now just thought if it his sneezing/the infection be the result of switching to a new hay. However, this is the Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay (good quality hay from what I have heard and low in dust) so I feel as though it shouldn’t be triggered by that? Also, we introduced the hay over the span of around 2-3 weeks so I feel as though he would have shown signs of being allergic to it sooner than like 2-3 weeks after it was initially introduced. Does anyone think the hay could be the cause? Or he has developed the respiratory infection from other things? Just to note, he is a rescue and initially came from a bad breeder (pet store) and I know snuffles can be passed on from the mother to babies when they are young and can be triggered later in life so that could possibly be an explanation. Has anyone got any ideas?

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Hi, my rabbit has recently sneezing a lot and with some nasal discharge, so we took him to the vet and he was given Baytril to take for a few days as it is thought to be a respiratory infection (we’re currently on the second day of giving the antibiotic with no improvement just yet but that is expected). I’m possibly being paranoid and have now just thought if it his sneezing/the infection be the result of switching to a new hay. However, this is the Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay (good quality hay from what I have heard and low in dust) so I feel as though it shouldn’t be triggered by that? Also, we introduced the hay over the span of around 2-3 weeks so I feel as though he would have shown signs of being allergic to it sooner than like 2-3 weeks after it was initially introduced. Does anyone think the hay could be the cause? Or he has developed the respiratory infection from other things? Just to note, he is a rescue and initially came from a bad breeder (pet store) and I know snuffles can be passed on from the mother to babies when they are young and can be triggered later in life so that could possibly be an explanation. Has anyone got any ideas?

I would say it is unlikely that the hay caused the actual infection. Although dust from hay can irritate the nasal passages and allergies are a possibility. Give the hay a good shake out before putting it into your Rabbit's enclosure, even supposed 'dust extracted' hay can still be a bit dusty.

Re the antibiotics, if your Rabbit does have an URTI then usually a long course of antibiotics is needed-ie longer than 'a few days'. Treatment should continue for at least 2 days AFTER all clinical symptoms have resolved. Some additional information can be found on these links:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/respira_main.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/RhinitisRabbits.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pasteurellosis_lagomorphs.htm

https://www.veterinarywebinars.com/...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

 

[mismatchbunnies]

I would say it is unlikely that the hay caused the actual infection. Although dust from hay can irritate the nasal passages and allergies are a possibility. Give the hay a good shake out before putting it into your Rabbit's enclosure, even supposed 'dust extracted' hay can still be a bit dusty.

Re the antibiotics, if your Rabbit does have an URTI then usually a long course of antibiotics is needed-ie longer than 'a few days'. Treatment should continue for at least 2 days AFTER all clinical symptoms have resolved. Some additional information can be found on these links:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/respira_main.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/RhinitisRabbits.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pasteurellosis_lagomorphs.htm

https://www.veterinarywebinars.com/...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

Thank you for your advice. The hay does not seem dusty to me, nor is there a build up of dust in their living area as they are free roam house rabbits, but I will try shaking the hay. As for the antibiotics, I probably didn’t word it right in saying a ‘few days’ as altogether he will be having baytril for 6 days morning and night and if it is not cleared up by the time we have finished the antibiotics the vet had said we will bring him back and possibly give a longer course of baytril or try another antibiotic.

 

[tabithakat64]

I would say it is unlikely that the hay caused the actual infection. Although dust from hay can irritate the nasal passages and allergies are a possibility. Give the hay a good shake out before putting it into your Rabbit's enclosure, even supposed 'dust extracted' hay can still be a bit dusty.

Re the antibiotics, if your Rabbit does have an URTI then usually a long course of antibiotics is needed-ie longer than 'a few days'. Treatment should continue for at least 2 days AFTER all clinical symptoms have resolved. Some additional information can be found on these links:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/respira_main.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/RhinitisRabbits.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pasteurellosis_lagomorphs.htm

https://www.veterinarywebinars.com/...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

Excellent advice

 

[Baileybunny]

My Bailey just got over something similar, sneezing but he also had a pussy eye. He was on BAYTRIL twice a day for a week with some improvement but it wasn’t till the second week of him continuing BAYTRIL and starting Flagyl for twice a day for another week that he is finally all cleared up.