Why Is My Dwarf Rabbit Wheezing?

Rabbits can suffer from a number of respiratory problems, all of which should be taken seriously. Rabbits tend not to show symptoms until they are very ill because they are prey animals, and signs of weakness instinctively make them vulnerable. Recognizing subtle changes can make a big difference in properly treating and healing your rabbit.

Respiratory Symptoms

Rabbits with respiratory difficulties will instinctively display as few signs of weakness as they can. The more lethargic a rabbit seems, the more serious its medical situation. Respiratory distress can present as loss of appetite, lethargy, runny nose and eyes, head tilting, sneezing, wheezing and labored breathing. Rabbits regulate their body temperature with their ears, so if a rabbit displays respiratory signs and has very cool or very hot ears, this will also indicate a more serious situation (such as fever accompanying respiratory distress).

Allergies

Allergens in a rabbit's environment can cause chronic bronchitis and rhinitis. Allergens can be improper bedding (cedar or pine bedding, for example) or a cage that is not cleaned often enough. If changing the bedding and cleaning habits in the rabbit's environment does not alleviate respiratory symptoms, your rabbit may have an infection.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Pasteurella infection is also referred to as "snuffles" and is the bunny equivalent of a cold. Signs of upper respiratory infection include nasal discharge and runny eyes as well as sinusitis and pneumonia. The rabbit will sneeze frequently. It can be a serious condition and requires isolation from any other rabbits as well as antibiotic therapy. Untreated, it can lead to ear infections that cause a trademark head tilt in the affected rabbit. Unlike the viral nature of human colds, rabbit colds are caused by bacteria and it is important to have a vet identify the specific pathogen (pasteurella is not the only one, only the most common) to determine the best treatment modality.

Lower Respiratory Infection

A wheezing rabbit who does not respond to removal of allergens from its environment may have a lower respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia. If a rabbit is displaying difficulty breathing, it is an emergency situation and the rabbit will need medical attention that includes treatment with a nebulizer and antibiotics.

Prevention/Solution

Quarantine any rabbits displaying symptoms to keep illness from spreading, as many bacterial causes of respiratory illness can be spread via sneezing. Act as fast as possible and be very aware of what behavior is normal for any pet rabbit in your care. If a rabbit is displaying symptoms, it is very ill and almost definitely requires veterinary attention.

Keeping the cage clean of excessive urine and using proper bedding (such as Carefresh or other mild, recycled, paper-based bedding) can reduce the changes of allergic respiratory issues. Surprising to many, some respiratory symptoms are caused by dental issues that go unchecked so keeping on top of your rabbit's dental care can help prevent more complex respiratory infections down the line.

References

• House Rabbit Society: How to tell if your rabbit is sick
• Krempels, Dana. Runny Eyes, Runny Nose, What do they mean? (Rabbit health central)
• Wissman, Margaret A D.V.M. Rabbit Medicine.