Snuffles / Pasteurella

Rabbits don’t ‘catch colds’ like humans - and even cats and dogs, do. However, if you have heard of something called snuffles, then you may be very familiar with the type of infection that can cause cold-like symptoms in bunnies.

Snuffles is a very common disease that affects rabbits and it is sometimes referred to as a “bunny cold.” Unlike a cold that is caused by a virus, snuffles is caused by bacteria and results in an upper respiratory infection.

The term snuffles does not really describe a single disease, but it is used to describe the symptoms that present when any type of bacteria cause an upper respiratory infection.

In many cases, Snuffles is caused by a bacteria strain called Pasteurella multocida and it results in an illness called pasteurellosis. The bacteria has long been studied due to its prevalence and its ability to spread rapidly through domestic populations of rabbits.

While snuffles infections can be serious, this depends mainly on the health of your rabbit and the strain of bacteria that has caused the ailment. Sometimes, the infection can be quite mild and pass on its own. However, it is always wise to seek out assistance from a veterinarian so that proper treatment can be supplied as soon as possible.

If you think that your bunny may be ill will a snuffles infection, do not panic. Take some time to identify the symptoms first. The infection will present will some pretty classic cold and flu-like symptoms.

Since snuffles is an upper respiratory tract illness, you can expect to notice some respiratory distress. You may hear a snuffling or rasping sound coming from your rabbit as he breathes.

This noise is caused by the inflammation of the nasal passages and the buildup of mucus in the nose. Of course, this sort of buildup can make it difficult to breathe. Sneezing is something you may notice too.

You will typically see watery mucus coming from the nose at first. It will then turn thick, opaque, and green. Since your bunny uses his paws to clean himself, bacteria from the nasal passages can easily spread to the eyes and ears. If this happens, you will see pink and inflamed eyes that may water. Ear infections can cause some balance issues and your rabbit may shake his head and itch the ears.

Since the infection starts in the lungs, you will notice the rasping noise and mucus buildup first. Your veterinarian will then likely complete an examination and swab the nose so it can be tested for gram negative bacteria.

You should understand that snuffles can progress into pneumonia. Serious blood infections and abscesses can form as well, so make sure to make arrangements to see your vet as soon as possible when you see the first signs of the disease.

Treatment

Since snuffles can spread and the infection is a bacterial one, antibiotics are typically used to treat the disease. Once again, this is up to your veterinarian based on the examination and test results.

While humans can usually take relatively short courses of antibiotics to treat infections, rabbits need much longer ones to treat conditions like snuffles. A typical oral antibiotic treatment will last about two to four weeks.

You may know that your rabbit’s digestive health relies heavily on the colonies of beneficial bacteria that live in the intestinal tract. Unfortunately, antibiotics kill these bacteria along with the harmful ones.

Speak to your vet about offering bacteria supplements to supply the needed microorganisms. Also, excess fluids may need to be supplied and a specialty diet that is easy for your bunny to digest might be something that you need to invest in for a short period of time.

In some cases, infections will not go away without more long term treatment. If you notice that your rabbit is still ill after several weeks of medication, it is time to make another appointment for your bunny.

Another thing to consider if your rabbit has ‘cold’ symptoms

As odd as it may seem, some cold symptoms may have nothing to do with a cold, flu, or bacterial infection. In fact, the difficulties may be caused by the teeth.

Dental problems in rabbits are extremely common, especially since your fuzzy bunny is a lagomorph with teeth that grow continuously. You probably know this and look closely at the teeth during your weekly or monthly health inspections.

However, you may be looking for a malocclusion or “buck tooth” problem where the teeth start to curl and grow towards the back of the mouth. If the teeth appear short and healthy, then you certainly may not notice an issue. Molar spurs can also be a problem even when the incisors are perfect.

Well, you definitely would not see a problem, since the one that can cause a runny nose and watery eyes occurs along the dental roots. The tooth roots sit just underneath the gums and within the jaw, much like your own teeth.

The dental roots can grow calcium deposits called molar spurs. Also, bacteria can travel beneath the gums and cause infections. If your bunny is older, then the jaw may be thinning out too. The tooth roots may push up into the sinus cavities when your rabbit eats. This can create some serious inflammation, and so can the spurs.

Dental problems are not only painful and irritating to your bunny, but they can lead to sinus infections. So, the mucus, watery eye discharge, and the sneezing may actually be sinus infection symptoms. The infection and the dental issue will need to be treated by your veterinarian to maintain the health of your bunny.

Conclusion

You know how miserable it is to be sick, and your rabbit will feel the same way when he does not feel well. Unfortunately, while you can wait out the cold or flu and allow the symptoms to pass on their own, a case of snuffles is not something that you should ignore, and neither is any other illness that is likely to cause cold-like symptoms.

If your rabbit seems as though he is in distress, then make sure to seek out veterinary care. The sooner the better, because you want your rabbit to feel better and hop with happiness as soon as possible.

Source: Snuffles in Rabbits: A Guide To Bunny Sneezing And Runny Noses

Pasteurella / Snuffles
Pasteurella multocidais a well-known cause of morbidity and mortality in rabbits. The predominant syndrome is upper respiratory disease or “snuffles.” Transmission is mainly by direct contact with nasal secretions from infected rabbits and may be greatest when rhinitis induces sneezing and aerosolisation of secretions. The bacteria can survive for days in moist secretions or water. P. multocida gains entry to the respiratory tract primarily through the nostrils, and once infection is established, may colonise also the paranasal sinuses, middle ears, lacrimal ducts, thoracic organs, and genitalia. Occasionally rabbits harbour chronic infections of internal tissues or organs, such as middle ears or lungs, without any signs of rhinitis and are negative for P. multocida by nasal culture.

SUMMARY: 10 Practical Points about Pasteurella multocida in Rabbits

1. Not all rabbits carry P. multocida.

2. If removed from sources of infection early, a rabbit may never acquire P. multocida infection.

3. Not all rabbits with P. multocida get sick.

4. P. multocida is still the most common cause of respiratory disease, primarily rhinitis, in rabbits.

5. Some P. multocida strains are more virulent than others, but most clinical laboratories cannot differentiate strains.

6. Chronic infection and disease can occur in areas of the body inaccessible to culture.

7. Hidden infections sometimes may be detected by radiology, or serology. (See Nov. 1992 Rabbit Health News regarding serologic testing.)

8. Some rabbits are able to resist or clear mild infection without treatment.

9. Rabbits with disease due to P. multocida infection should be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

10. Some rabbits with chronic infections or deep abscesses may not improve but be stabilised with antibiotics. Many owners are willing to use antibiotics on a long-term basis.

Source: - Pasteurella multocida Infection in Rabbits - Barbara Deeb, DVM, MS, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington

Further Reading:
Runny Noes, Runny eyes, Sneezing - What Does it Mean?  - Dana Krempels
Pasteurella Infection in Rabbits - House Rabbit Society
Snuffles & Pasteurella in Rabbits: Causes and Treatment - Pet Coach
A Case of the Snuffles - Texas A&M University, Veterinary Medicine & BioMedical Science
Pasteurella in Rabbits - Kristin Claricoates, DVM. chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

Further reading in the following WW files; Eyes, Pneumonia, Abscesses & Dental Issues