I think my rabbit could have the snuffles but my parents wont listen to me so...

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I think my rabbit has the snuffles but my parents wont listen to me so i can't really do much about it other than make sure he is healthy otherwise. My Tan has been sneezing since we got him about six months ago. He will have random sneezing fits throughout the day. I am having a hard time looking at him myself since he os very squirmy. He wipes his nose with his front legs constantly and i have noticed the fir around that area is matted. Once in a while i will see white snot on his side, in his cage, or around his nose. I have been reading all sorts of articles on pasturella, i think that is the scientific word for snuffles. He doesn't have any other symptoms like watery eyes and his nose isnt necessarily runny. My rabbit project leader who is the expert that i have access to talking to is denying there is anything wrong with him but i think she just doesnt want me to have another sick bunny since the first tan i got passed away the day after i brought him home from probably getting into rat poison. I think my parents are also denying anything for similar reasons although i have been showing them the articles and present clear facts why i think my rabbit is sick. They even got me another rabbit, a mini lop, which is probably a bad idea since i know the snuffles can be contagious. They hang out next to each other between cages but otherwise arent in contact for territorial issues. Please help me to know if he really could have the snuffles and what i should do to convince my parents to take him to a vet.

 

[JBun]

It does sound like your rabbit has an upper respiratory infection. White snot IS a sure sign of it being a bacterial infection. It may or may not be due to the pasteurella bacteria. There are several bacteria that can cause it. It really does need to be treated. This isn't like a common cold that we would have. If an upper respiratory infection in rabbits isn't treated, it can continue to get worse, can cause deterioration of the nasal passage, and could progress to pneumonia. Your rabbit needs to be on antibiotics for several weeks to months.

I can provide you with all of the information about URI's in rabbits, and you can pass this on to your parents. Another alternative is to earn your own money to take your bun to the vet, if you are able.

I'm quite shocked that your leader sees this happening with your rabbit and is willing to put other rabbits at risk. If you still show your rabbit at all or participate in a rabbit group, you really shouldn't have your rabbit around other rabbits anymore, as this puts them all at risk. I'm really sorry this has happened to your poor bun. You may not be able to do your rabbit group anymore, but your bun will still be a good pet, and can get better if he gets the right medicine.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Bacterial/URI.htm
http://www.sawneeanimalclinic.com/downloads/rhinitis_and_sinusitis_in_rabbits.pdf
https://www.vetstream.com/lapis/Content/Freeform/fre00028
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/RhinitisRabbits.htm

 

[majorv]

If you got him from a breeder (and I'm guessing you did since Tans aren't normally pets) you should've told them as soon as you noticed it. I agree with Jenny. You can't expose other rabbits to this by taking him to a show. He needs to be treated because it won't go away. We raise Tans and they're a cool breed to have, but if you ever want to show him then he can't be sick...and he is right now. Your other rabbit could get it too.