Sneezing Rabbit

[Wesley]

First let me say that I really enjoy rabbit talk. One of my does that has her first litter has started sneezing over the last week. She has no discharge that I can see, no weepy eyes, and her front feet are not matted. She is eating and drinking well. Seems to be energetic and shows no signs of being sick except for sneezing. Almost everytime I go out to see the rabbits I hear her sneeze sometimes for 20-30 seconds. None of the other rabbits are sneezing. Her litter is growing well and seem to be the most vigourous out of the lot. Any ideas of what may be going on with the doe or what I need to do?

Thanks,
Wesley

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I hear her sneeze sometimes for 20-30 seconds.

I have never heard a rabbit sneeze more than a few times in succession... but I have had dogs do so, and it is always because of a foreign body in the nose. Here in CA the culprit is usually a "foxtail" which is a spiky grass seed head. Normally people have them removed surgically, but I have saved quite a few people a hefty Vet bill by squirting a little olive oil into the nostrils of the animal.

 

[Wesley]

I may try a little Olive oil or some saline solution.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

If it is a spiky foreign body, oil will soften it and allow it to pass. Saline solution will hydrate the tissue and promote healing, and may create an unfavorable environment for bacteria and/or viruses. You could try both- it wouldn't hurt.

 

[Bad Habit]

My doe did this as well, but stopped recently, when I finished one bale of hay and moved onto another. I think she's got an allergy to dust or something, because the tail end of the old bale was rather dusty... Maybe your doe has a similar allergy?

 

[LauraNJ]

If you are a little ways away, do you hear her sneezing? Or is it just when you are close? I have 1 that will give a sneeze or two when I do the hay or pellets if I create dust.

 

[Wesley]

I only hear her when I am close. SHe seems to have stopped as of now.

 

[ilovehome]

The health of the litter is a good indicator if you have a real problem. I had a beautiful doe with a similar history, but at 7 weeks old, three of her kits developed snotty noses. She and the entire litter were dispatched.

 

[ladysown]

that's what I'd say too. Isolate her and watch the kits. the kits will tell you a lot as well. Particularly when you wean them.

 

[Wesley]

I havent heard sneeze in a couple of days and her litter is growing the fastest of my two litters. She has not had a snotty nose. I think it was the hay. I had gotten some hay that seemed to be pretty dusty. When I pulled the hay from her she stopped just as quickly as she started. Thanks for all the good information.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Yay!