Vet gone for weekend, Bunny sounds congested!

[Adam]

One of my rabbits has audible breathing this morning.  Sounds like congestion.  And of course google makes it sound as though something horrible is going to happen, like if it is snuffles.  I called my Vet, but she’s out of town until Monday, and I need help.

What should I do, what should I look for (didn’t see any mucus stuff but didn’t check paws) to see if it’s something minor rather than major?  How long should I wait before taking her somewhere?

Thanks

[Bam]

You can try running up a good steam in your bathroom and sit with her in there for 20 minutes or so, and see if her breathing gets easier.

Is she eating and drinking and pooping? If you very gently feel her tummy, is it distended? (A distended tummy can press on the lungs and make breathing harder.)

[Adam]

The breathing doesn’t seem labored, just like there’s something gunky in the pathway, nose or throat maybe? I will check her tummy at lunch and try steam. She ate her pellets this morning as usual. Found some of her poops around too (she has mega colon so I can tell when it’s her).

[LBJ10]

Generally speaking, a stuffy nose is not a life or death emergency situation. Yes, it should be treated. You would never want to leave something like this untreated (saying this in case others happen upon this page looking for answers to a similar question ). But, if your bunny is eating/pooping fine and otherwise acting normally, it probably wouldn’t hurt anything to wait until Monday. That way you know your bunny will get the right treatment.

[LBJ10]

I agree with Bam’s suggestion to try steam. It could provide some relief until you can get your bunny to the vet.

[Adam]

At lunchtime, I couldn’t hear any congestion, but I let her breathe some steam for 20-30 anyways. Thanks guys, I will stay on top of it.

[Author]

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