Pasteurella, commonly known as snuffles, is a bacterial disease that can cause a vast array of symptoms. It is intrinsic to all rabbits, but luckily, most don’t get any problem. Unfortunately, if symptoms start, it can sometimes become chronic and severe.
Respiratory symptoms, especially nasal discharge, are common in rabbits. This is the reason for the “snuffles” tag. A rabbit may rub its nose on its forearms, which can cause the fur to rub off. Other symptoms include sneezing, congestion, pinkeye (conjunctivitis), and eye discharge. A clogged tear duct can also cause eye discharge, so they’re sometimes gently flushed to correct the problem.
These bacteria can also invade the reproductive tract, cause severe skin infection, and invade the nervous system. A typical symptom of the latter is a head tilt.
Treatment involves the use of antibiotics. Most rabbits respond, although they might be needed to be administered for several months. The problem can progress and not respond to antibiotics or recur periodically. Sometimes, the infected rabbit does not respond to medication and the problem becomes severe.
The best way to prevent this problem is to minimize elements of stress such as excess heat or overcrowding, feeding a diet that includes a lot of timothy hay, and providing a clean environment and fresh water at all times.
Timothy hay provides good nutrition for rabbits. All photos courtesy of Long Beach Animal Hospital.
And of course, TLC goes a long way to keep the immune system strong!
Our website has a detailed explanation of pasteurella in rabbits.