Saying "Hi" and asking a question

[Hopalong Causually]

I've been in this rabbit raising hobby for only a few months and finding that the general information is available everywhere but that specific issues and problems are difficult to find addressed anywhere. I'm primarily interested in raising meat rabbits for personal consumption but won't rule out the possibility of branching out into other purposes. New Zealand reds have captured my attention as a breed to focus on for meat production and temperament. I acquired several mixed breed meat rabbits to get started with and learn the basics. My doe just had her first litter.

Now, the question. And I'll have plenty more in the future. I acquired two bucks about a month ago. The one was making very soft murmuring sounds almost like a whimpering puppy. I gave it no heed, but this rabbit started sneezing the next day and this developed into a white nasal discharge and a respiratory problem that has dragged on for over three weeks now. I have him isolated from the others but his condition just drags on without getting better or worse. Now, I've heard that same murmuring sound coming from the other buck. Is this a precursor of pending respiratory problems? Is it a sound rabbits commonly make? I've never heard it from any of my other rabbits. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[TAH]

I've been in this rabbit raising hobby for only a few months and finding that the general information is available everywhere but that specific issues and problems are difficult to find addressed anywhere. I'm primarily interested in raising meat rabbits for personal consumption but won't rule out the possibility of branching out into other purposes. New Zealand reds have captured my attention as a breed to focus on for meat production and temperament. I acquired several mixed breed meat rabbits to get started with and learn the basics. My doe just had her first litter.

Now, the question. And I'll have plenty more in the future. I acquired two bucks about a month ago. The one was making very soft murmuring sounds almost like a whimpering puppy. I gave it no heed, but this rabbit started sneezing the next day and this developed into a white nasal discharge and a respiratory problem that has dragged on for over three weeks now. I have him isolated from the others but his condition just drags on without getting better or worse. Now, I've heard that same murmuring sound coming from the other buck. Is this a precursor of pending respiratory problems? Is it a sound rabbits commonly make? I've never heard it from any of my other rabbits. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Welcome from Oregon. It sounds like a upper respiratory infection. I will tag a few people that can help.
@Samantha drawz
@LukeMeister
@BunnyGirl
@Bunnylady
@Pastor Dave

 

[Bunnylady]

welcome to BYH!

Unfortunately, what you are describing sounds like "snuffles." Rabbits have pretty complex nasal passages, and upper respiratory infections can be very tough to get rid of. The most common cause is a bacteria called Pasteurella, but there are other candidates. Lots of rabbits may carry these bacteria without showing symptoms, but when they get stressed, their immune systems get a bit depressed, and the symptoms appear. You can treat these infections with antibiotics, and they may go away for a while, but they may reappear when the rabbits are subjected to some stress.

Now, the whimpering or wheezing sound isn't usually associated with snuffles, though there is a chronic respiratory problem usually seen in older rabbits that can present that way.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings @Hopalong Causually (love the name!) Sorry you're here because of rabbit issues, but glad you came along! We have a pretty active group of rabbiteers here, a lot of whom are doing meat rabbits. One of our long time pros has addressed your present concerns but take some time to browse around in the rabbit section. I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information and shared knowledge and experiences! Oh, and since nobody has mentioned it yet, we all thrive on shared pics of animals we have. If you happen to have a few, we'd all be much appreciative! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

[Hopalong Causually]

Thanks folks.
I've done a lot of reading about pasteurellosis but can't find specific information about the incubation period. Treatments seem to range from, "give antibiotics for thirty days" to "immediately cull any animal showing symptoms." The Merck Veterinary Manual suggests that pasteurellosis cannot be cured, merely controlled. Do any of you recommend sacrificing any such animal to prevent contaminating the entire herd?

I've been giving oxytetracycline to the sick one (it's six months old) for almost three weeks and seeing no effect. If the other buck goes this same route, I'm going to be very unhappy with the breeder who sold them to me.

 

[Poka_Doodle]

Greetings from another Colorado. Those people tagged know a lot about rabbits.

 

[micah wotring]

Looks like you have plenty of help here so I'll just sayand

Oh and cool username!

 

[samssimonsays]

I would keep then separate honestly. But majority of rabbits will have been exposed to pasturella.... Some just never show signs. The slightest stress can cause then to come down with it sometimes. I wouldn't say it was the breeders fault, but I also wouldn't buy from them again just in case..... I'd maybe have a vet look at the one. Sometimes an upper respiratory infection may be the culprit and rabbits can only have a very few of the antibiotics on the market or they can strip the guts and cause major problems. I'd also give a probiotic. Probios worked for mine but I also have been feeding chaffhaye to mine and they have been the best condition coat and health yet.

 

[TAH]

Oh and cool username!

x2

 

[Pastor Dave]

That is a nice username.
You have plenty of good advice from the others. The nasal discharge is never good. I have a doe that has allergies that seems to pass it to at least one in her litters. She has mostly outgrown it, but the feeder pens never have the chance to. They usually just sneeze some when they get their hay or some straw for bedding.