How to Treat a Rabbit's Cold

Rabbits get sick easily, especially if their living conditions are unsanitary or poorly managed. Respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes are common in rabbits and should be taken seriously. These symptoms are not the result of a cold virus but rather some other kind of infection often caused by bacteria. If your rabbit shows cold-like symptoms and appears sickly, take the animal to a vet as soon as possible and follow his or her instructions carefully. A simple respiratory infection can be fatal without the proper medical attention.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carrying box
• Prescription medication
• Washcloth

Instructions

1. Take note of all things related to your rabbit's environment and diet. Observe the animal carefully for all symptoms and unusual behaviors. Place your ear to the rabbit's chest and listen for blockages in the respiratory system. Be particularly gentle when handling the rabbit and avoid loud noises or stressful environments.

2. Take your rabbit to a vet with specific knowledge of rabbit health. Not all vets are trained to treat rabbits, so make sure to find one that is. The vet will probably ask about your rabbit's diet, bedding, excretory habits, etc. Provide plenty of water when transporting it to avoid dehydration.

3. Follow the vet's instructions closely. Place your rabbit in a dim, quiet area of the house where it will be warm and undisturbed. Monitor the rabbit carefully and report any symptoms or unusual behaviors to the vet.

4. To care for a runny nose, gently apply a warm washcloth to the rabbit's face once a day. You call also use a small flea comb to remove dried mucous and tears from the facial fur. Suction mucous from the rabbit's nose using a pediatric syringe. Some vets may even recommend a light dose of Benadryl or other pediatric antihistamine.

5. If an antibiotic is prescribed, make sure to give the rabbit all the doses. Stopping early can result in resistant bacteria and could actually make the rabbit sicker.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about handling your rabbit if you have a cold. Rabbits cannot catch the common human cold. Prevent illness in rabbits by keeping a clean cage. Move rabbits inside when the weather is cold and make sure to keep moisture out.
• Never, under any circumstances, give a rabbit amoxycillin because it will die.

References

• Runny Nose and Eyes and Sneezing in Rabbits
• Rabbit Health
• The Rabbit "Cold"