Rattle sound

[fuzzy9]

One of my bucks has a rattle sound to him when he breaths. He was laying stretched out, and I could hear a bit of a constant rattle when he breathed. He breathed in a big heavy sigh when he stretched, and it was an obvious raspy rattle sound, like when someone has a cold with chest congestion. When they breath in, you can hear the congestion rattle.

I pulled him, and put him in a separate quarantined area outside of the rabbitry, since I was unsure what this would be.

Anyone ever have this?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Sounds like pneumonia, any other symptoms? Nasal discharge, sneezing? I only ask because that is what the rabbit that gave all my others pasteurella sounded like...

 

[fuzzy9]

Oh great! One more thing to be paranoid about.

Prior to hearing his rattle this morning, I heard him sneeze, like 4x in a row, but when I looked over at him, he was bent way over cleaning his rear end. That was the only time, with the exception of once after I put him in the carrier. I had put a few handfuls of shavings in the carrier, and I imagine that was dust related.

Oh, and no nasal discharge, or matting on the paws.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Oh great! One more thing to be paranoid about.

Prior to hearing his rattle this morning, I heard him sneeze, like 4x in a row, but when I looked over at him, he was bent way over cleaning his rear end. That was the only time, with the exception of once after I put him in the carrier. I had put a few handfuls of shavings in the carrier, and I imagine that was dust related.

Oh, and no nasal discharge, or matting on the paws.

I would keep him isolated and watch him. It may not be pasteurella, but it DOES sound like pneumonia.

 

[fuzzy9]

Cull, or not cull? I'm all about taking my time, and giving plenty of chances, but I don't like to mess around with sickness. I have to many other rabbits to consider.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Cull, or not cull? I'm all about taking my time, and giving plenty of chances, but I don't like to mess around with sickness. I have to many other rabbits to consider.

I would say watch for a few days, if it gets worse, then cull. It it really is pneumonia, chances are it will get worse really quick. If it gets better, with no discharge, matted paws, etc. then you can decide.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thanks Shannon!!

 

[MaggieJ]

Yes, keep him isolated. Is he a new rabbit?

Remember to care for him last and then to wash/change clothes etc. before you go back to your other rabbits.

I would likely cull him. I don't like messing around with anything that might be contagious.

 

[fuzzy9]

Umm, yes, and no. :lol: We picked him up this summer, but he spent quite a bit of time in quarantine before we put him out in the rabbitry.

I called hubby, and we agreed he'll be culled tonight. We just don't like messing around with anything potentially dangerous either, it just isn't worth it.

 

[MaggieJ]

My feelings exactly.

You might want to examine his lungs afterwards. It could prove useful in the future to know what was going on in there.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

According to Bob Bennet in Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits, it is best to cull sick rabbits. Even if they recover from their illness, they are poor producers from that point.

 

[fuzzy9]

We will, Maggie. Will be interesting to see what they look like.

My feelings exactly, MamaSheepDog! It's a shame though, he's a nice big buck!

 

[5dognightfarm]

Is it possible he has an allergy?

 

[LilFish_JWQueen(:]

i agree it sounds like something too risky for your whole herd.

 

[fuzzy9]

We culled him last night, we just don't like to take risks, it's just not worth it.

Now.......anyone in WI have any pedigree NZW bucks! :lol: I need to add a couple!

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Sorry you had to do that, but it is worth it to protect the rest of your herd.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thanks Shannon! It was just something that had to be done, and I caught it early, so I'm hoping nothing will spread. I'm watching very closely. I'm a nervous Nelly, so everything out of the ordinary is investigated. :lol:

The sad thing is he was such a sweet buck, all of mine are, but he loved the attention even more than the others.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Geri,

so sorry you had to cull him. It was the right thing to do, and you were being a good steward. What kills me is you always seem to lose the 'favorites'- happens all the time with our barn cats, but at least they get 'culled' by the predators around here! Good luck on finding a new buck or two!

--Annette

 

[fuzzy9]

Thank you Annette!