ceilpaws
Well-Known Member
I'm writing this post more to get my anxieties out than for any other reason. I am well-versed in animal care including rabbits. My career up until the last 6 months has been in the veterinary field. But, when it's your own pet, all reason goes out the window. And, since I'd like to sleep tonight, I figured I'd post rather than be up all night obsessing.
I've had Oliver since Tuesday evening. He is a young mini rex and is apparently male. After the first fearful night in his new home, he has really started to come out of his shell. In short, he's doing well by all accounts. He is friendly, spirited, and appears comfortable and confident in his environment. I'm really pleased with how well he's coming along. But, now to why I'm posting tonight...
I was out of the house for most of the day - including the evening. Emmet was out for a solid 6 hours, but that's because he can have some out-of-cage time when I'm not home. His cage is in a different room than Oliver's. I intend to bring them into the same room, but not until the quarantine period is over. Nevertheless, I went into Ollie's room to let him out for a bit. Before I did that, I was going to feed and water him as well as get his cage settled for the night. It was then that I heard him...he began having a sneezing fit! He must have sneezed 10 times, at least, in rapid succession. He then began to groom his face like a mad man. I quickly picked him up and did a once over, but chalked the sneezing fit up to something environmental. However, he then began to sneeze sporadically all the while I milled around the room. And, that's when I started to panic.
I scooped him up again and wrapped him up like a bunny burrito so that I could hold him gently, but firmly. I was looking for signs of a possible upper respiratory infection. But, I found none. His eyes are bright and clear, his nose has no discharge, and his front paws are not matted. He is eating and drinking well, is peeing and pooping normally, and is both inquisitive and active. There is nothing to indicate that something of concern is at play. And, to further prove that all seems well, I think I may have found the culprit. When he was wrapped up, I got a good, clear view of his nose. And, in one nostril, there was a piece of fur that was out of place and very much not where it was supposed to be. He reluctantly let me remove the hair and then he returned to investigating every crevice of the room. He was out a short while with no further sneezing and then I put him back in his cage for the night. Still, no sneezing. But, could it really have been that simple - a stray hair irritating his nose and causing the rapid-fire sneezing fit (and the sporadic sneezes that followed)?
I will keep an eye on him, but my gut says that I don't need to be concerned. My brain, on the other hand, is running every possible worst case scenario on repeat! Of course, if the sneezing persists now that the piece of fur has been dislodged, I will make an appointment for him to be seen by the vet. And, the same holds true if his behavior changes, his eating and drinking habits change, or I notice any kind of discharge from his eyes, nose, or matted to his front paws. I hope it doesn't come to that and I do believe he'll be just fine, but the "what ifs" are enough to make anyone crazy. I may have only just adopted Oliver, but he already has stolen my heart. He's family now
I do need to sleep tonight as I have work tomorrow. And, I haven't been feeling all too well so that is even more reason to trust that all is okay. But, those pesky fears are nagging at me. It's like all of my training and knowledge went out the window as soon as I heard that first string of sneezes. I do believe that the fur I removed from his nostril could be the cause of all of this, but I needed to share. For advice, support, and my own piece of mind. Thank you all for being here...help an obsessive new mom (new to Ollie, not to buns) out :expressionless.
I've had Oliver since Tuesday evening. He is a young mini rex and is apparently male. After the first fearful night in his new home, he has really started to come out of his shell. In short, he's doing well by all accounts. He is friendly, spirited, and appears comfortable and confident in his environment. I'm really pleased with how well he's coming along. But, now to why I'm posting tonight...
I was out of the house for most of the day - including the evening. Emmet was out for a solid 6 hours, but that's because he can have some out-of-cage time when I'm not home. His cage is in a different room than Oliver's. I intend to bring them into the same room, but not until the quarantine period is over. Nevertheless, I went into Ollie's room to let him out for a bit. Before I did that, I was going to feed and water him as well as get his cage settled for the night. It was then that I heard him...he began having a sneezing fit! He must have sneezed 10 times, at least, in rapid succession. He then began to groom his face like a mad man. I quickly picked him up and did a once over, but chalked the sneezing fit up to something environmental. However, he then began to sneeze sporadically all the while I milled around the room. And, that's when I started to panic.
I scooped him up again and wrapped him up like a bunny burrito so that I could hold him gently, but firmly. I was looking for signs of a possible upper respiratory infection. But, I found none. His eyes are bright and clear, his nose has no discharge, and his front paws are not matted. He is eating and drinking well, is peeing and pooping normally, and is both inquisitive and active. There is nothing to indicate that something of concern is at play. And, to further prove that all seems well, I think I may have found the culprit. When he was wrapped up, I got a good, clear view of his nose. And, in one nostril, there was a piece of fur that was out of place and very much not where it was supposed to be. He reluctantly let me remove the hair and then he returned to investigating every crevice of the room. He was out a short while with no further sneezing and then I put him back in his cage for the night. Still, no sneezing. But, could it really have been that simple - a stray hair irritating his nose and causing the rapid-fire sneezing fit (and the sporadic sneezes that followed)?
I will keep an eye on him, but my gut says that I don't need to be concerned. My brain, on the other hand, is running every possible worst case scenario on repeat! Of course, if the sneezing persists now that the piece of fur has been dislodged, I will make an appointment for him to be seen by the vet. And, the same holds true if his behavior changes, his eating and drinking habits change, or I notice any kind of discharge from his eyes, nose, or matted to his front paws. I hope it doesn't come to that and I do believe he'll be just fine, but the "what ifs" are enough to make anyone crazy. I may have only just adopted Oliver, but he already has stolen my heart. He's family now
I do need to sleep tonight as I have work tomorrow. And, I haven't been feeling all too well so that is even more reason to trust that all is okay. But, those pesky fears are nagging at me. It's like all of my training and knowledge went out the window as soon as I heard that first string of sneezes. I do believe that the fur I removed from his nostril could be the cause of all of this, but I needed to share. For advice, support, and my own piece of mind. Thank you all for being here...help an obsessive new mom (new to Ollie, not to buns) out :expressionless.