My rabbit was diagnosed with snuffles?!?

Question

My rabbit was diagnosed with snuffles 2 days ago. He has had a weepy eye and a wheeze on and off for about four months but my parents were reluctant to take her to the vet until she formed an abcess near her eye, pushing it outwards. The vet perscribed him Baytril, and the swelling went down but last night I noticed he was beginning to develope wry neck! However, its seems it only happens at night, because in the daytime he is fine. He refuses to chew, always grinds his teeth, and now his bulging eye is red. Are there any home remedies for his red eye, dental pain or his wry neck? How serious is this case of snuffles? Will my rabbit make it? Am I giving him the right medicine?

Answer 1

He does sound pretty sick, but 'Snuffles' in a pet rabbit does not warrant euthanasia.  Yes, it is recommended in breeding and production settings, because breeders and people who raise rabbits for meat or fur don't want to spend the time nursing a rabbit back to health from a serious illness or quarantining adequately to prevent the spread of the infection. In those situations rabbits are stressed and crammed in next to one another so illness spreads rapidly.  Recent studies say 80%+ of rabbits have the pasteurella bacteria that causes snuffles already in their system- it does not cause illness unless the rabbit is under stress.  I have had several rabbits test positive for pasteurella infections.  They were treated, none of the other rabbits ever caught it, and I have had several subsequently test negative on nasal swabs following treatment.  Baytril is commonly used, but if it is not working well for you, the vet can order what is called an ID/Sensitivity test to determine what bacteria is present and what antibiotic will treat it best.  Many vets assume all upper respiratory infections in rabbits are Pasteurella infections, but they aren't.  I've had various rabbits with URIs turn out to be actually Bordetella or one of a few others that can cause similar symptoms.  If nasal cultures are not done, your vet can't be 100% sure what bacteria you are dealing with and what antibiotic is appropriate.

I would, however, phone the vet and let them know that he was tilting his head.  The teeth grinding is also a sign that he is in pain.  The vet can at least give you a pain killer, like Metacam, while he is recovering to control the pain.  If he's not eating, you may want to also talk to your vet about a product called 'critical care' to syringe feed him- it's very important that he continue to eat.  As long as he does not develop pneumonia and you follow the vet's instructions, he can recover from this and go on to live a healthy life.  Good luck!

Answer 2

I think the vet knows the best u may want to take him again

Answer 3

That is the cutest-sounding name for a disease I've ever heard. Snuffles...I hope it isn't serious because it doesn't sound serious.

Answer 4

Snuffles is a horrid disease, rabbits grind their teeth when they are in pain! Poor lil bunny, you really need to take him back to the vets!

I know this isnt really what you want to hear but snuffles is not really curable, once they have it its literally impossible to get rid of it, is is very contagious so if you have any more bunnies move them well away!!!

Good luck hun but he is suffering bad, i think you might need to have him put down sorry but i do know what im  talking about

Sorry

Lauren xx

EDIT*

A link from a website i found:

Pateurella (Snuffles) A bacterial infection very common to rabbits which takes on many forms and exacerbated by stress, poor and overcrowded housing with bad ventilation. The disease is contagios through respiratory contact and body secretion, e.g. discharge in drinking areas. In its respiratory form it is often known as ‘snuffles’ as the rabbits have a milky nasal discharge which hinders nose breathing. They often have a similar condition in the eyes causing conjunctivitis and may have pneumonia as well. The pneumonic form is extremely dangerous and can cause rapid death and requires immediate veterinary attention. With ‘snuffles’ a chronic sinusitis develops (usually in post weaned rabbits although youngsters can develop the pneumonic form) which is extremely difficult to clear even though it may not cause apparent suffering. This form may develop into infection of the middle and inner ears with head tilt, nystagmus (flickering of the eyes) and torticollis (rotation along the longitudinal axis of the body). Treatment has variable success depending on the severity of the symptoms. We use an antibiotic called enrofloxacin, orally for up to 3 months, followed by probiotics ( dried, natural, bacteria of the gut to re-establish gut function).

EDIT**

Also please try this, you might save him if its not to late, but its pushing it, please keep me informed and let me knwo how he gets on:

Treatment of this condition requires the use of antibiotics, supportive care, and good environmental hygiene. Rabbits will need to be separated for treatment so that they do not pass the infection along. The handler should also wash up between animals, preferably donning gloves and "gown" and different shoes when going into the area where the sick animals are isolated. The gown can just be an old XL sized clean, cast-off shirt. Simple precautions, like not washing all the rabbit dishes together in one tub can also help to control the disease spread. The airspace should also be separated so that aerosolized bacteria liberated during sneezing cannot travel to the hutch next in line. A disinfectant should be used to properly clean surfaces after they are washed. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best choice. In severe cases, euthanasia may be recommended. Euthanasia may also be recommended in a breeding facility to help contain an outbreak.

Answer 5

I am sorry to tell you this but there is NO cure for Snuffles(Pasturella). Antibiotics will keep it in check but the rabbit will always have it and it can reoccur at any time.

From what you have described your rabbit is in severe pain. He is suffering. Since you waited so long to get medical attention for him, he is still a very sick rabbit. If he has wry neck he will have a tilt to his head ALL the time.

I am going to tell you something you are not going to like. The best thing for your rabbit is to have it humanely euthanized. It is a hard thing to have to do, but is it fair to the rabbit to let it continue to suffer. I have been raising rabbits for 16 yars. Rabbits that develop snuffles in a rabbit herd are put down immediately. Snuffles is highly contagious and can wipe out a herd of rabbit completely. Please make sure your rabbit has no contact with other rabbits.

I am sorry your rabbit is so sick, some times things like this happen. It is hard to have to go through.