Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 5/10/2006

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.

Dana