
Jump to section
Respiratory bacterial infections in rabbits can affect both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. In acute cases, this disease can lead to dyspnea, cyanosis, and hypothermia. Due to the potential of severe respiratory compromise, it is vital that if you are concerned your pet may be suffering from respiratory illness you contact your veterinarian for treatment.
Respiratory bacterial infections in rabbits are a common condition caused by a variety of bacteria. The symptoms often include nasal and ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing and lethargy. Transmission of infection causing bacteria is commonly through direct contact with the nasal secretions of an infected rabbit or by sharing water and food bowls with an infected rabbit.
Respiratory Bacterial Infection Average Cost
From 247 quotes ranging from $200 - $100
Average Cost
$500
The symptoms may vary depending on the causative antigen but may include:
In advanced or acute cases, the following symptoms may be seen
Top
There are numerous bacteria that may cause respiratory infection in rabbits.The most commonly found are:
Pasteurella multocida
This is the most common cause of respiratory disease in rabbits. Although some rabbits are able to resist infection or recover spontaneously this can lead to respiratory infection, pneumonia or chronic disease. Other signs of the infection of pasteurella include sinusitis, pericarditis, inner and middle ear infections, mastitis and abscesses.
Bordetella bronchiseptica
This is commonly found as a co-pathogen of pasteurella and can cause nasal discharge, sneezing and dyspnea in infected rabbits.
Risk factors for developing the respiratory disease are:
Top
Your veterinarian will perform a full clinical examination of your pet and discuss their diet and history with you. Clinical history or symptoms that may indicate respiratory infection are ocular or nasal discharge, 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:
Top
Treatment for your rabbit will vary depending on the cause of the disease. Your pet may require hospitalisation in severe cases.
Supportive Care
Your pet will be admitted into the hospital and closely monitored in a quiet, warm environment. In severe cases, particularly in lower respiratory tract disease, oxygen therapy may be required for your pet on hospital admission. 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 rabbits with liver or renal diseases. As dehydration often occurs in this disease, fluid therapy can be used to support hydration in your pet and temperature regulation.
Medication
The cytology and microbiology results will allow your veterinarian to choose the most effective antibiotic therapy for your pet. In order to be successful, the required systemic antibiotic treatment needs to be aggressive and for 6 weeks or more. Ophthalmologic antibiotic products have been shown to be beneficial when instilled into the pet’s nostril. Nasolacrimal flushes and nebulization with saline solution have also shown to be beneficial in rabbits.
Top
The prognosis for your pet is dependent on the cause of the disease. Your rabbit will need veterinary monitoring and regular revisits following improvement. For some pets, chronic re-infection may occur. To reduce the chance of reoccurrence the following steps can be taken:
Top
*Wag! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!.
Respiratory Bacterial Infection Average Cost
From 247 quotes ranging from $200 - $100
Average Cost
$500
Top
Ask a Vet
Winnie
Lion Head
8 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
My bunny got ill 3 or 4 months ago. Me and my mother have tried to help him. Cleaning his cage everyday, cleaning up the yellow thing that is coming out of his eyes and his nose. He is a bit better but nothing major. If you could suggest an antibiotic or some medication I would be great. We don't have a vet in our town.
Sept. 13, 2018
Winnie's Owner
Was this experience helpful?
Onyx
American
8 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
What can I do for my Rabbit? My Rabbit is breathing Heavily throught his mouth while looking straight up. He has loss a lot of weight and it is scaring me. What can I do to help him to get better(Breathe Regularly) and regain the weight?
Nov. 22, 2017
Onyx's Owner
0 Recommendations
A rabbit stretching its neck out is in order to try and breathe better, this can be due to variety of issues which may include infections, dental disorders, foreign objects, inflammation among other issues. The danger for rabbits is if they don’t eat, their gastrointestinal tract may stop functioning so when they have a loss of appetite is is important to visit your Veterinarian immediately. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 22, 2017
Was this experience helpful?
Perogie
Polish
8 Weeks
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Just got an 8 week old rabbit. He has mild sneezes. Otherwise completely healthy. Should I take him in for antibiotics? Or can he get better on his own? He can go maybe an hour or two without sneezing would be my guess.
Respiratory Bacterial Infection Average Cost
From 247 quotes ranging from $200 - $100
Average Cost
$500
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Wag!
© 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Security