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This disease can cause severe respiratory compromise and distress. Rabbits often mask any symptoms of illness and may only start showing obvious symptoms once the disease has progressed to advanced stages; therefore, it is vital that if you are concerned your pet may be suffering from respiratory illness you contact your veterinarian.
Pneumonia in rabbits is caused by the inflammation of the lung parenchyma. The symptoms often include reduced appetite, sneezing or coughing, and lethargy. In severe cases cyanotic mucous membranes, coughing of blood or open mouthed breathing can be seen. This can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergens in the home environment.
Pneumonia Average Cost
From 557 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
The symptoms vary between cases, often depending on the severity, nature and length of affliction, the age and immune-competence of the rabbit.
In advanced or acute cases, the following symptoms may be seen:
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The cause of pneumonia in rabbits can be bacterial, viral or from non-infectious factors in the environment.
Non Infectious Pneumonia
Bacterial Pneumonia
Viral Pneumonia
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Your veterinarian will perform a full clinical examination on your pet and discuss his diet and history with you. Clinical history or symptoms that may indicate pneumonia to your veterinarian are change or reduction in appetite, recent stressors such as change in housing or social environments, anorexia, fever or dyspnea. Your veterinarian will auscultate your pet’s lungs which may indicate the disease. Your veterinarian may choose to do following diagnostic tests:
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Treatment for your rabbit will vary depending on the cause of the disease.
Supportive Care
Your pet will be admitted into the hospital and closely monitored in a quiet, warm environment. As anorexia can quickly lead to hepatic lipidosis or gastric stasis in rabbits, close nutritional support will be given and syringe feeding may be indicated.
Anti-inflammatories may be given as a form of pain relief, the hematology and chemistry will allow your veterinarian to assess the safety of these drugs as they are contraindicated in pet’s with liver or renal diseases. As dehydration often occurs in this disease fluid therapy can be used to support hydration in your pet.
Medication
The cytology and microbiology results will allow your veterinarian to choose the most effective antibiotic therapy for your pet. He may require systemic antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks or more. Ophthalmologic antibiotic products have been shown to be beneficial when instilled into the pet’s nostril.
Additional Therapy
In severe cases, oxygen therapy may be considered for your pet. If septicemia and toxemia have occurred intravenous fluid and antibiotic therapy may be indicated.
Surgery
Abscessation may occur, in these case surgical removal may be necessary via a thoracotomy. Your pet will require a general anesthetic for this surgery, which has risks involved, your veterinarian will be able to discuss these risks with you.
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The prognosis for your pet is dependent on the cause of the disease. Unfortunately, in most cases the prognosis is fair to guarded. Your pet will need careful veterinary monitoring and regular revisits following improvement. Recurrent pneumonia is common in pets who do recover. To reduce the chance of reoccurrence the following steps can be taken:
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Pneumonia Average Cost
From 557 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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Ask a Vet
mr.Bunz
Holland Lop
3 Years
Serious severity
2 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
i have a 3 yr old rabbit who was diagnosed with pneumonia about 3 months ago and i have been giving him his medication ever since, and he isn't getting better. Is it something else? Im getting really worried
Sept. 9, 2018
mr.Bunz's Owner
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A
Lionhead (mini)
4 Years
Critical severity
1 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
I keep pet rabbits in my flat and have lost 2 rabbits due to infectious pneumonia (autopsy), but couldn't find the direct cause and the 3rd rabbit (4 years old) is symptom free. First rabbit (4 years old) contacted the disease from unknown source and died in just 2 days regardless of the antibiotic treatment (no fever, no sneezing, no mucus, just heavy breathing - holding nose up and no appetite). 3 months later got another rabbit (10 weeks old), but couldn't 100% quarantine it in a 1 room flat. The new rabbit had nasal discharge and mild sneezing from day one which got better but in ~1,5 weeks he suddenly developed similar symptoms and died in pneumonia in 3 days. Got a different kind of antibiotic that time. We are afraid to adopt any new rabbit as a companion for the remaining one which seems to be a symptom free carrier. Any advice? :(
June 19, 2018
A's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
That sounds like it may be a nasty viral infection that the remaining rabbit is immune to. I'm not sure that I would bring in any new rabbits, given the recent history of the other two rabbits, sadly.
June 19, 2018
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Kit
Mini Rex Rabbit
3 Weeks
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
The patient is young kit much smaller then the rest of litter. Sits in the food dish. And is not as active as the rest. I suspect pneumonia. Is there anything I can try before taking to the vet.
May 21, 2018
Kit's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Kit is not thriving at 3 weeks and you feel that she is having breathing problems, that is better to get taken care of sooner rather than waiting, as it can have a terrible outcome. She should see a veterinarian to see what treatment might be needed. I hope that she is okay.
May 21, 2018
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Oliver
Califorian
2 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I have a two year old rabbit that doesn't seem to want to move. hell only move to change position and then not move again.He hasn't been going to the bathroom as much, but when he does pee it's really smelly more than usual. Lastly he's been eating but not as much.
Feb. 2, 2018
Oliver's Owner
0 Recommendations
A reduction in appetite and movement is concerning, smelly urine may an indicator of infection or the presence of by products in the urine (ammonia etc…); you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to be on the safe side as some issues like gastrointestinal stasis can be life threatening. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 2, 2018
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Bunny
Miniature Lop
4 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I have a 4 year old rabbit that is breathing very heavy and wheezing. She also has extremely watery eyes and they are very red. She’s been sneezing more than usual the past couple of days and hasn’t been moving much. She has been eating much slower than usual but not any less.
Jan. 30, 2018
Bunny's Owner
0 Recommendations
It sounds like Bunny may have a severe infection like Pasteurellosis (snuffles) which is common in rabbits, you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination and to receive treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM https://wagwalking.com/rabbit/condition/snuffles-pasteurellosis
Jan. 30, 2018
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Zeppolli and connolli
Mini lop
4 Years
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
I have bronchitis and pink eye right now. I read that my dogs are in the clear because they cannot catch bronchitis from me. But they can catch pink eye. What about my rabbit though? I have two? Can they catch bronchitis and pink eye from me? If so, they live in my room with me and I’m beyond concerned. One of my rabbits is very lazy but I’m still concerned. I can’t tell if he has symptoms.
Pneumonia Average Cost
From 557 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$500
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