Pasteurellosis in Rabbits
Snuffles, or pasteurellosis, is an disease caused by the Pasteurella multocida bacterium which is found in the respiratory tract of most rabbits.
Pasteurellosis is probably the most frequent cause of illness in pet rabbits. Clinical disease may be triggered by stress or by other illness. Most commonly, clinical signs are related to the eyes (discharge, redness, squinting) or nose (sneezing, discharge). Often the eyes and nose are affected at the same time. Pasteurella can infect other areas of the body as well. Ear infections (resulting in a head tilt), abscesses, pneumonia and uterine infections are also seen. Sudden death from septicaemia (infection in the blood) or pneumonia is rare but can occur.
Treatment is with antibiotics and, if necessary, eye drops or ointment. The tear ducts may need to be flushed through if they are affected. Although treatment may clear the symptoms, the bacterium often remains and the disease may recur. Improving general husbandry, avoiding stress, particularly that caused by high environmental temperatures, poor ventilation and overcrowding, will all help to reduce the risk of disease developing.