AboutDana Krempels, Ph.D. Expertise I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:
RULE #1: THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
If your rabbits is LETHARGIC
If your rabbit is NOT EATING
If your rabbit is PHYSICALLY INJURED (including broken bones)
If your baby rabbit has DIARRHEA
...it is an EMERGENCY.
Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online!
RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question.
If you already have been to the vet and still need help
if you can't find an available vet with the resources above
then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!
For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.
Experience
Publications Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide
Education/Credentials Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English
Awards and Honors Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)
Question Our 7 month old male (neutered) rabbit Titch has recently developed a cough. Its not just a regular cough it sounds like he is quacking like a duck. It sounds like a sneeze but will develop into a quacking cough. It doesn't last very long (40 seconds is the longest) but he also puts his paws up to his face when he coughs as if he has something stuck and is trying to shift it. Our vet has given him antibiotics and they haven't worked. He thinks he could be allergic to the wood shavings we have given him from day 1. He says the allery may have developed over the past two weeks. He has only started coughing since we have moved house. Have you any idea what could have caused this and what we can try to stop it?
Answer Dear Gemma,
First thing to do is to get rid of all the wood shavings. These are probably not the cause of his upper respiratory infection, but they are full of volatile aromatics that can irritate his respiratory tract and make him more susceptible to infections.
More appropriate litters include wood sawdust pellets (e.g., Feline Pine) or pelleted paper products. DO NOT use clay litters or any type of shavings or corn cob. These can cause serious intestinal and/or respiratory problems.
Second, you need to find a vet who will take this more seriously, and who is more experienced with rabbits. A rabbit coughing could have pneumonia, and this must be treated *aggressively* with the appropriate antibiotics, and twice daily nebulization, if possible. Chest radiographs will help the vet determine the state of his lungs.
If the lungs are fine, it still sounds as if he has an upper respiratory infection that needs appropriate treatment, which it has not yet gotten. Please read:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html
and
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html
for complete information on proper diagnosis and treatment of this potentially serious problem.
To find a good rabbit vet who can help, please use the list linked here:
www.rabbit.org/vets
I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.
