Nasal Discharge in Rabbits

There may be several causes for sneezing and nasal discharge:

Inhaled Irritants

• Ammonia caused by poor hutch hygiene
• Dust from poor quality hay, straw, sawdust bedding
• Various household/DIY products:
  1. Shed/garage house rabbits may be affected by petroleum products, creosote or paints
  2. Indoor housed rabbits may be affected by air fresheners, disinfectants, perfumes or talcum powder

Foreign Bodies

Particularly pieces of hay which enter either nostrils when feeding. Rabbits cannot visualize objects directly in front of the nose.

Infections

• Rhinitis associated with Pasteurella, Bordetella, and Staphylococcus (the commonest cause of conjunctivitis, pneumonia and dacryocystitis [tear duct infection])
• Mucocutaneous dermatitis associated with Treponema cuniculi infection; Pasteurellosis, Myxomatosis

Other Causes

Dacryocystitis (tear duct infection) and tooth abscesses; neoplasia (tumor-like growths)

The most common cause of nasal discharge and sneezing in rabbits is bacterial infection. Infection usually begins in the nasal cavity and may spread via the eustachian tubes to the inner or middle ears into the sinuses and bones of the face, via the nasolacrimal duct to the eye, via the trachea to the lower respiratory tract, and via bloodstream to joints, bones, and other organ systems.

Types of Nasal Discharge

• Serous (clear) - mild irritation, allergies, acute phase of inflammation, early bacterial infection
• Mucoid (gray and cloudy) - allergies or contact irritations, acute inflammation or infection, early nasal cancers, fungal infection
• Purulent/mucopurulent (thick and green) - bacterial infections, nasal foreign bodies, rarely fungal in rabbits
• Serosanguineous - destructive process (bacterial pathogens, primarily nasal tumors)

Treatment

The treatment of nasal disease depends upon the cause. Holes into the nasal passage caused by infection of the roots of the teeth are treated by dental cleaning and sometimes tooth removal. Symptomatic treatment and nursing is important in the treatment of rabbits with sneezing and nasal discharge. Hydration, nutrition, warmth, and hygiene (keeping nares clean) are important. Surgery may be necessary to remove foreign bodies, to obtain samples for biopsy. or to remove abscesses, tumors, or granulomas. If excessive tearing (epiphora) or eye discharge is present, always flush the tear duct. Remove environmental allergens/irritants (dusty litters, moldy hay or bedding); provide clean airspace.

Diet

Rabbits with nasal discharge often have decreased appetite. It is absolutely imperative that the rabbit continue to eat during and following treatment. Loss of appetite will often cause slow bowel movements, derangement of the bowel microflora, and overgrowth of intestinal bacterial pathogens.

Offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens such as cilantro, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrot tops, dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens. etc, and good quality grass hay. Many rabbits will begin to eat these foods, even if they previously have poor appetite.

Source: REF FILE R-176