Sneezing

[Deleted User]

This topic is not one that I am very informed on.

I just switched my buns to eqine pine pellets for litter. Literally made the switch yesterday evening. I notice that they “break up” a lot more than the Yesterday’s News cat litter does.

Around 4 this morning, Quincy woke me up with 6 sneezes in a row. I turned on the light and went to sit with him, petting him and checking his nose. There was no runny nose or eyes, and I didn’t hear any more sneezes before I left for work. My husband is home today and will be keeping an eye out for any more sneezes.

My question is: could this be from the new pellet litter? Perhaps he was sniffing around in the hay in the box and got some dust or something in his nose?

When does sneezing warrant a trip to the vet, only when accompanied by a runny nose/runny eyes? Or should they not be sneezing at all?

[sarahthegemini]

I think like humans, they will occasionally sneeze. When we sneeze it’s not always because we’re poorly My bunnies sneeze sometimes, I suspect shoving their faces into bundles of hay contributes. Unless it’s excessive sneezing or there’s other symptoms, I wouldn’t worry

[Deleted User]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/30/2017 8:10 AM

I think like humans, they will occasionally sneeze. When we sneeze it’s not always because we’re poorly My bunnies sneeze sometimes, I suspect shoving their faces into bundles of hay contributes. Unless it’s excessive sneezing or there’s other symptoms, I wouldn’t worry

I thought so, especially because it was just 6 quick little sneezes and then nothing. (btw, it’s a seriously cute little sound!!) I’m suspecting that he just got something in his nose and sneezed it out. If I notice that he is continuing to do so, then I will consider alternatives. Maybe that pine pellet won’t work for him, we will see!

[Q8bunny]

Buns can sneeze because of allergies, tickly noses, inhaling something, or snuffles.
I would see a vet if it’s chronic and/or accompanied by opaque discharge.

[Deleted User]

Posted By Q8bunny on 8/30/2017 8:12 AM

Buns can sneeze because of allergies, tickly noses, inhaling something, or snuffles.
I would see a vet if it’s chronic and/or accompanied by opaque discharge.

Thanks!  

I’m the type of person to ignore my own symptoms and you will never catch me in an ER unless I’m dying.

But, when it comes to the buns, I am a bit of an over reacting hypochondriac

[Wick & Fable]

Speaking in complete certainty is dangerous when reading a forum post, but I’m fairly confident the sneezing is from the new litter. Like humans, rabbits will sneeze at nose irritants, such as dust that may come off items, like pine pellets.

In terms of immediate action, I suggest continue to monitor. If the pine pellets end up being something that they are allergic to (giving them more discomfort via consistent sneezing), I’d suggest switching back to what you used previously, put a screen on the litter (I forget if you use one) to minimize dust exposure, or try another type of litter.

Signs that you should change litter are: noses begin to look visibly irritated (red, swollen nostril entrances), sneezing evolves to occur frequently outside of litter boxes (so the dust is getting so up their nasal passages, it’d be detrimental to have it consistently around them), observable amount of nasal discharge is seen (allergy discharge is usually clear, like with humans, as there is no need for immune system attack-action, which colors nasal discharge to be white, yellow, and/or green)

You need to see a vet if the nasal discharge becomes colored. As just stated, colored means white-blood cells or the equivalent for rabbits is beginning to attack something bacterial in the nasal passages, which means it’s an infection, not an allergy. Usually vets like to treat URIs before they get to colored-snot stage, because that shows the URI has progressed to some degree. Earlier signs which may warrant a vet visit is increased sneezing frequency which is plateaued or increasing, but definitely not decreasing. Within one week, Wick went from have a sneezing fit once or twice an hour to sneezing literally, like literally every 5 minutes. Poor. Soul. Nasal discharge was still clear at that time still.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

Posted By Wick on 8/30/2017 8:20 AM

Speaking in complete certainty is dangerous when reading a forum post, but I’m fairly confident the sneezing is from the new litter. Like humans, rabbits will sneeze at nose irritants, such as dust that may come off items, like pine pellets.

In terms of immediate action, I suggest continue to monitor. If the pine pellets end up being something that they are allergic to (giving them more discomfort via consistent sneezing), I’d suggest switching back to what you used previously, put a screen on the litter (I forget if you use one) to minimize dust exposure, or try another type of litter.

Signs that you should change litter are: noses begin to look visibly irritated (red, swollen nostril entrances), sneezing evolves to occur frequently outside of litter boxes (so the dust is getting so up their nasal passages, it’d be detrimental to have it consistently around them), observable amount of nasal discharge is seen (allergy discharge is usually clear, like with humans, as there is no need for immune system attack-action, which colors nasal discharge to be white, yellow, and/or green)

You need to see a vet if the nasal discharge becomes colored. As just stated, colored means white-blood cells or the equivalent for rabbits is beginning to attack something bacterial in the nasal passages, which means it’s an infection, not an allergy. Usually vets like to treat URIs before they get to colored-snot stage, because that shows the URI has progressed to some degree. Earlier signs which may warrant a vet visit is increased sneezing frequency which is plateaued or increasing, but definitely not decreasing. Within one week, Wick went from have a sneezing fit once or twice an hour to sneezing literally, like literally every 5 minutes. Poor. Soul. Nasal discharge was still clear at that time still.

Thanks for the info! I will continue to monitor him. I thought it may be the pellets, and if he has an allergy then we can try wood stove pellets and if that still doesn’t work for him we can go back to Yesterday’s News cat litter. Ophelia doesn’t seem to have any qualms with the new litter. I actually like the smell, but my husband thinks the house smells like a horse stable now  I don’t use a litter screen. I looked into the mesh that you suggested, but I think Quincy will just tear it up… destructo bunny…

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