Rabbit snuffles

Respiratory diseases in rabbits

Attention: Respiratory diseases in rabbits—unlike in humans—are most often caused by bacteria rather than viruses. These bacterial infections can quickly lead to chronic rhinitis („snuffles“), spread to the ears causing middle ear infections, and even result in dental problems. This is because the roots of a rabbit’s teeth are located very close to the nasal cavity, and rabbits with ear pain often change their chewing behavior.

For this reason, it is extremely important to take respiratory infections in rabbits very seriously to prevent more severe complications!

Rabbit Snuffles or Just a Cold?

Symptoms: How to Identify Snuffles and Colds?

The initial signs of respiratory diseases in rabbits are usually occasional, dry sneezing. At this stage, the rabbits generally appear healthy, active, and in good overall condition.

Depending on the strength of the rabbit’s immune system, the sneezing can quickly escalate into intense sneezing fits. These episodes may sound like the rabbit is coughing or as if it has something lodged in its throat or nose. As a result, these sneezing fits are often mistaken for coughing.

In advanced stages, if left untreated, nasal discharge begins to flow from the nose. Initially, this discharge is clear but later turns whitish-yellow. Due to the sneezing fits and the clogged airways caused by the discharge, rabbits struggle to breathe. They will attempt to clean their noses to improve airflow, spreading the discharge not only around their noses but also onto their front paws. This leads to matted, sticky fur that may feel damp. During grooming, the bacteria can also be transferred to the eyes, causing purulent conjunctivitis with discharge.

Even mild symptoms, such as sneezing, can quickly progress to severe complications, including:

• Acute bronchitis: An inflammation of the airways.
• Pneumonia (lung inflammation): A life-threatening condition if left untreated.

These complications are often accompanied by altered breathing patterns, which may go unnoticed by owners. The rabbit may lose weight, and its general condition deteriorates.

Take immediate action if you notice any symptoms! Snuffles is a serious illness requiring veterinary treatment to prevent severe complications or death.

Additionally, the disease can spread throughout the body, leading to purulent inflammation in various organs. Typical secondary illnesses include:

• Abscesses
• Conjunctivitis and tear duct infections
• Dental inflammations
• Ear infections, which in advanced stages can result in a head tilt (torticollis).

Snuffles in rabbits is often a herd problem. If rabbits are kept in overcrowded or suboptimal conditions, the disease can spread like an epidemic. However, under good housing conditions with proper medical care, snuffles typically affects only individual or weakened rabbits that are more susceptible to symptoms.

For this reason, even when providing optimal care and nutrition, it is crucial to identify the underlying condition that may be weakening the rabbit and causing susceptibility to snuffles.

Prompt diagnosis and addressing the root cause are key to effective prevention and treatment!

Rabbits are obligate nasal breathers due to their anatomy, meaning a blocked nose is extremely distressing for them and should never be dismissed as a minor issue. Rabbits are unable to breathe effectively through their mouths because of the close anatomical relationship between the larynx and the nasopharynx, as well as the unique positioning of the epiglottis.

This makes prompt treatment of nasal blockages critical for their well-being!

Triggers of Respiratory Diseases in Rabbits

The pathogens responsible for respiratory diseases in rabbits are widespread, and many rabbits carry them without ever becoming ill. Infection with these bacteria alone is not enough to trigger snuffles. The following factors are much more significant in causing the illness:

• Stress due to improper handling, being picked up and „cuddled,“ or rough treatment.
• Social stress from unharmonious groups or introducing new rabbits.
• Moving to a new environment.
• Other (chronic) illnesses or a weakened immune system, sometimes even vaccinations.
• Poor housing conditions, such as inadequate protection from the weather, drafts, lack of space, or no dry, windproof shelters.
• Poor hygiene, such as soil in small enclosures, high ammonia levels, infrequent cleaning, or damp bedding.
• Nutritional issues, such as a diet low in plants containing essential oils.
• Dry indoor air, which irritates the mucous membranes (humidifiers can help!).

Creating a stress-free, hygienic, and well-maintained environment is crucial in preventing respiratory diseases in rabbits.

First Aid for Sneezing in Rabbits

If a rabbit is only occasionally sneezing but shows no nasal or eye discharge, you can treat it with Angocin (a natural, plant-based antibiotic) and Sinupret for five days. The treatment must begin immediately, or the condition may worsen.

• Angocin: This natural remedy is effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the respiratory and urinary systems. It is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. For rabbits weighing up to 2.5 kg, the daily dose is at least 8-10 tablets (more for heavier rabbits). The tablets should be dissolved in water, as the protective coating can be easily washed off. Many rabbits enjoy Angocin as a treat, but if not, you can dissolve it in a small amount of water and administer it via a syringe, or mix it with mashed banana.

• Alternative to Angocin: You can feed your rabbit foods containing glucosinolates, such as radishes, radish leaves, arugula, watercress, rapeseed, turnip plants, and nasturtiums. Even small amounts of cabbage can help. These foods contain mustard oils that act as natural antibiotics, similar to Angocin, and can help combat respiratory bacteria and viruses.

• Sinupret: This herbal remedy has anti-inflammatory and mucus-dissolving properties. Administer 0.2 ml per kg of the rabbit’s body weight, 2-3 times daily, to support recovery.

If there is no improvement within five days or if the condition worsens, you must immediately take your rabbit to a veterinarian. The earlier treatment begins, the higher the chances of successful recovery.

When Should You Visit the Veterinarian?

As soon as the first signs of sneezing appear, it is crucial to take them very seriously. Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away on their own. Immediate treatment is essential. If you wait, the condition often becomes harder to treat or may require prolonged, intensive treatment.

If there is no improvement after five days of Angocin (see „First Aid“ above) or if symptoms worsen during treatment, you should immediately visit a veterinarian.

Emergency Situation:

A visit to the emergency veterinary service is necessary if the rabbit’s breathing becomes altered. Signs of acute breathing difficulties include:

• Increased flank breathing (the sides of the body moving noticeably as the rabbit struggles to breathe).
• More pronounced nostril flaring.
• In extreme cases, the rabbit may raise its head or tilt it backward.

As first aid, you can gently remove crusts from the nose and administer mucus dissolvers (see further details below). The rabbit should be transported carefully to the emergency veterinarian, where the vet will stabilize the animal with oxygen and check for a life-threatening pneumonia that could cause difficulty breathing. The vet will also clear the nasal passages so the rabbit can breathe more easily.

Since rabbits are obligate nasal breathers, they cannot breathe through their mouths if their nose is blocked.

Diagnosis: Does My Rabbit Have a Cold, Something Else, or Snuffles? Is It an Emergency?

To determine whether immediate emergency treatment is necessary, the veterinarian will first check for a pneumonia (lung infection) through a thorough examination, including auscultation (listening to the lungs). The vet will also assess whether the rabbit is experiencing difficulty breathing and if it needs to be stabilized with oxygen.

What is Causing the Nasal Discharge?

Once in the veterinary clinic, the vet will conduct a detailed examination and assess the symptoms. The primary diagnostic tool is the symptom presentation, which helps determine how advanced the snuffles are and whether there might be other potential causes.

The veterinarian will consider the possible underlying cause of the nasal discharge. A unilateral (one-sided) or purulent/white discharge is often not true snuffles but may indicate abscesses from dental issues or a foreign body (e.g., grass or hay stems) lodged in the nose.

If it is confirmed to be true snuffles, the cause is often stress (due to improper housing, social stress, etc.) or a serious underlying condition that weakens the immune system, allowing the snuffles to develop. The veterinarian will work to identify and treat the root cause in order to control the snuffles.

Other Causes for Sneezing, Nasal Discharge, and Sneezing Attacks

Besides snuffles, there are other conditions that can cause sneezing in rabbits:

• Allergies: Rabbits can occasionally develop allergies to dust, bedding, hay, straw, or other environmental substances. However, these allergies are extremely rare. To test for this, you can try offering the rabbit fresh grass instead of hay or place the hay in a cotton bag with small holes to allow the rabbit to pull it out. Additionally, avoid replenishing hay in the room where the rabbit lives. If it turns out to be an allergy, treatment with enzyme complexes and Xanthium may be effective.

• Foreign Body: A foreign object, such as a piece of hay or grass, lodged in the nose can also cause sneezing and discharge.

• Extremely Dry Air or Hot Weather: Very dry indoor air or excessively hot weather can irritate the rabbit’s nasal passages, leading to sneezing or nasal discharge.

Dental Issues or Tear Duct Problems: Chronic nasal discharge is often linked to dental diseases or issues with the tear duct system. For this reason, dental diseases should always be ruled out through X-rays in multiple planes, especially when there is unilateral discharge or discharge without sneezing.

Many rabbits with nasal or eye discharge actually have dental diseases and not snuffles!

Before assuming it’s snuffles, it’s crucial to rule out that the cause of the discharge is an infection or inflammation in the head area (such as a foreign body in the nose or dental issues). This requires X-rays of the teeth from multiple angles, as the tooth roots are not visible during a standard oral exam. Many rabbits actually do not have snuffles but instead have a dental problem. If pus or fluid is already draining from the nose or eyes, prompt action is needed to prevent the spread of the infection. Treating „on suspicion“ for snuffles often leads to valuable time being lost. Additionally, the snuffles infection can spread to the ears and teeth, and further inflammatory foci can develop throughout the body.

Why can eye and nasal discharge originate from the teeth?

In rabbits, the nasolacrimal duct (the connection between the eye and the nose) runs directly past the open-rooted teeth. As a result, pus from maxillary abscesses (infected cavities at the tooth roots) often drains directly into the nose, blocking the nasolacrimal duct. Conversely, a chronic nasal infection can also cause inflammation of the molars or incisors, which are located very close to the nasolacrimal duct, and this can lead to the formation of an abscess in the upper jaw. See jaw abscesses.

Green line: The course of the nasolacrimal duct from the lacrimal punctum at the eye to the nose.
Brown: Non-visible part of the teeth.

The nasolacrimal duct runs very close to the roots of the teeth (orange arrows), which means that conditions of the upper jaw (retrograde tooth growth, jaw abscesses, etc.) often become noticeable only through nasal or eye discharge.

Treatment – What Really Helps?

Rabbit Snuffles Is Usually Not Comparable to a Human Cold

Snuffles in rabbits is most often caused by bacteria rather than viruses, unlike the common cold in humans.

The Right Treatment

Be Sure to Consult a Veterinarian Specialized in Small Mammals!

It is crucial to seek out a veterinarian who specializes not only in small animals (dogs and cats) but also in exotic pets such as rabbits and rodents. Only veterinarians with specific additional training can effectively treat rabbits, as they are only briefly covered in standard veterinary studies.

Rabbit snuffles can be very persistent, especially if not treated early. Treatment based on the five pillars has proven effective, but all pillars must be considered and implemented; otherwise, the treatment is usually unsuccessful:

Diagnosis	Pathogen control	Build up the immune system	Loosen mucus	Housing conditions
Are the teeth the cause?	In case of more severe snuffles: effective antibiotics (nasal lavage sample + antibiogram)	Supplements for boosting the immune system	Mucolytic	Daily cleaning (Ammonia!)
Does the rabbit have snuffles and thus also pathogens?	Pathogen-killing agents (e.g. Angocin)	Immune-boosting diet	Let the rabbit inhale	No stress (harmonious group, species-appropriate housing)
In case of more severe snuffles: Nasal lavage sample + antibiogram	Feed pathogen-killing plants		Nasal lavages and baby nasal aspirators.	Never keep a rabbit alone; they should never live solitary.
Is the animal weakened by other illnesses?			Feed mucolytic plants	Weather protection
			Administer infusions or feed plenty of fresh food.	High-quality nutrition

Important: All five building blocks/pillars must be implemented simultaneously and consistently over an extended period! Otherwise, there is little chance of successfully combating rabbit snuffles!

Pathogen Control

Which Antibiotics?

Choosing the right antibiotic is crucial when treating rabbit snuffles. Only the active ingredients Enrofloxacin and the sulfonamides Sulfadimethoxine (Relardon®) and Sulfaquinoxaline are approved for rabbits. Therefore, other antibiotics often need to be repurposed for treatment. Studies in rabbits show that the microbial population can vary greatly, with bacteria involved coming from both aerobic and anaerobic environments. For this reason, it is recommended to conduct a bacteriological examination with an antibiogram.

In cases of severe snuffles, the veterinarian can best identify the pathogen by taking a nasal lavage sample (not a standard swab!). It is essential to test for Mycoplasma as well. The test will determine if the pathogen is a known rabbit snuffles pathogen and which antibiotic would be effective (via the antibiogram). The sample for the antibiogram should not be taken from pus, as only non-viable pathogens are typically found there. Anaerobes (if present) are often undetectable but should always be covered with antibiotics, especially in cases with purulent discharge. In persistent cases, a sample from the lungs (via bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)) can be helpful to identify deeper-seated bacteria that might not be captured in a nasal lavage sample. Creating an antibiogram typically takes about a week, during which time the rabbit should already be receiving antibiotic treatment.

Suitable Antibiotics for Treating Rabbit Snuffles
Based on the antibiogram, these antibiotics are usually effective, as they cover the common pathogens well:

• Doxycycline

• Azithromycin

Main Pathogens of Rabbit Snuffles

The primary pathogens involved in rabbit snuffles are:

• Pasteurella multocida
• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Staphylococci (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus)
• Mycoplasma

However, in most cases, multiple pathogens are involved simultaneously, including:

• Streptococci
• Staphylococci
• Haemophilus species
• Pseudomonas

Viruses are also suspected to act as co-pathogens.

Reasons Why the „Right“ Antibiotic May Not Be Effective:

• The lavage sample only identified a portion of the pathogens, and a key pathogen (e.g., Mycoplasma) was not detected. Mycoplasma needs to be specifically requested from the laboratory, as it is not included in standard bacteriological tests.

• The underlying condition that weakens the rabbit and triggers the snuffles was not treated or identified (e.g., a compromised immune system, often associated with granulocytopenia – the immune system may need to be built up first, and further investigations may be needed to find the underlying condition).

• Foreign bodies or abscesses in the airways, or involvement of the teeth (should be checked with head X-rays in multiple views).

• Chronic snuffles due to delayed treatment (often resulting in destroyed, chronically inflamed structures in the nasal cavity). Intensive treatment based on the antibiogram with all pillars should be implemented (see graphic), possibly including lifelong inhalations, mucolytic and pathogen-fighting measures, discussed with the veterinarian.

• Resistance (which is why an antibiogram should always be done before treatment!).

• Development of resistance during therapy (repeat the antibiogram from the lavage sample).

• The identified pathogen was not the primary cause of the illness (repeat the lavage sample or use a different antibiotic that may be more effective, even if uncertain).

• Poor or no absorption of the antibiotic, or ineffectiveness due to interaction with other medications.

Additional Pathogen-Killing Measures

In very mild cases, antibiotics are often skipped, and instead, other pathogen-killing agents are used. However, if antibiotics are used, these measures should still be applied as a supplement.

Effective options include:

• Angocin (wash off protective layer, dosage: 8-10 tablets per day for up to 2.5 kg),

• RodiCare Pulmo (1x daily 1-1.5 ml),

• Sinupret (2-3 times daily, approximately 0.2 ml/kg).

Additionally, ginger and horseradish are supportive in treating snuffles. Ginger helps heal inflammation and thins mucus in cases of lung and sinus infections. Horseradish or radish complements ginger, acting as a natural antibiotic. The glucosinolates in horseradish inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, thus fighting the typical pathogens of respiratory infections. Mustard oils are highly effective plant substances against rabbit snuffles. Radish and its greens, radishes (leaves), arugula, cress, rapeseed plants, turnip plants, and nasturtium, in small amounts, are also found in cabbage.

Ginger and horseradish are well-researched medicinal plants that also help with chronic snuffles. It is best to mix them with banana or another favorite food to encourage consumption.

In addition to the pathogen-killing therapy (antibiotics), it is essential to activate the immune system simultaneously.

Specific Stock Vaccination (Autovaccine)

If antibiotic treatment is ineffective or the pathogen is multidrug-resistant, an alternative option is to fight and eliminate the pathogen using a vaccine specifically made for the animal or the stock. A nasal lavage sample is sent to the laboratory, where this vaccine is produced. It is then administered to the affected rabbits, allowing them to develop immunity against the pathogen so that their immune system can fight it off. The vaccine can be injected or given orally.

Aromatogram

It is now possible not only to test antibiotics for resistance but also to test essential oils. This test, called an aromatogram, involves sending a nasal lavage sample to the laboratory, which then provides a list of essential oils that can combat the pathogen. These essential oils can then be inhaled or administered orally.

Building the Immune System

Administering Medications
Immune-boosting agents are beneficial, and often, these combined with pathogen-killing treatments are sufficient for mild snuffles, allowing the use of antibiotics to be avoided.

Snuffles put a heavy strain on the immune system, which needs time to recover. To help build the immune system, Gladiator Plus (a 40-day course) is highly recommended. This often alleviates snuffles and helps other treatments to work more effectively. Umijo Pet is also a useful option for immune support.

For some rabbits experiencing snuffles for the first time (not chronic), a Zylexis course can help, but it should only be used if the rabbit’s overall condition is good.

Diet is also an important factor. Ensuring a high intake of essential oils from certain feed plants, which have pathogen-killing properties, can help. Suitable plants include:

• Thyme

• Oregano (also available as feed or water oil, ideal for preventing snuffles in the stock or used alongside treatment)

• Ivy

• Thuja

• Sage

• Nasturtium

• Radish

• Conifer twigs (except yew, which is toxic!)

Offering a selection of these herbs around the clock can significantly improve snuffles. Thuja is especially effective in activating the immune system. Other effective options include black cumin pellets and flaxseed pellets.

Cleaning the Nose and Loosening Mucus

When there is nasal discharge, the first step is to thoroughly clean the nose and loosen any crusts. To do this, the crusts can be softened, and the nose should be cleared, possibly using a baby nasal aspirator (preferably the vacuum cleaner nasal aspirator, which effectively removes everything from the nose), a pipette, or a syringe. Additionally, the nose can be rinsed with saline solution. This involves using a 1ml syringe filled with NaCl and gently spraying it into each nostril.

In addition, mucus loosening agents should generally be administered orally. You can combine two different medications to enhance the effect. Good options include Bromhexine (0.042-0.083 ml/kg, 2-3 times daily) and ACC children’s syrup (0.25 ml/kg, 2-3 times daily).

Mucus-loosening plants can also help, particularly those containing mustard oils (e.g., nasturtium, horseradish, radish) or plants with essential oils (e.g., thyme, oregano, thuja).

Inhalations can provide relief, especially in chronic cases. A gentle method of inhalation is to place the rabbit in a transport box or rabbit hutch, with a bowl of boiling water placed in front of the cage. A towel over the top ensures the steam stays inside. Quiet ultrasonic nebulizers are also very effective and can be placed nearby, especially when the rabbit is enjoying a tasty treat. A saline solution (NaCl) can be used for inhalation, and you can add a drop of essential thyme oil or a mucus-loosening agent. For inhalations, acetylcysteine (ACC: Equimucin, Acc inject, prescription required) or Ambroxol hydrochloride (Ambroxol Inhalat, Mucosolvan) are good choices. Based on the consistency of the mucus, your vet will prescribe the appropriate medication.

The nasal suctioning process often works better after inhalation. A blocked nose can quickly lead to potentially fatal pneumonia!

Encouraging the rabbit to drink plenty of water helps thin the mucus, allowing it to drain more easily. To achieve this, you can offer diluted, natural, cloudy fruit or vegetable juices (without added sugar) in addition to water. Rabbits should also be fed mostly fresh food. In severe cases of snuffles, infusions can be helpful.

A humidifier can improve the indoor air quality, especially in rooms with dry heating.

Voluntarily and stress-free inhalation training

If your rabbit has previously been forced to inhale, it will associate the mask with coercion. Make sure you have two different masks: one used exclusively for training and never applied under force. Once the rabbit voluntarily inhales, the old mask can be replaced with the training mask. In milder cases, where inhalation hasn’t been introduced yet, you can start fresh so the mask is associated positively from the very beginning.

If you have a rabbit with chronic nasal issues, you can train it to inhale voluntarily. This type of training is more advanced and less suitable for beginners in medical training, as it involves several steps and takes quite a bit longer. However, the effort pays off when the rabbit can inhale without stress.

Step 1: Positive Association with the Mask
Start by creating a positive association with the inhalation mask. The easiest way to do this is by feeding treats from the mask.
If the mask signals „treats“ to the rabbit, you can begin rewarding it for sticking its nose into the mask. Most rabbits will do this instinctively, thinking there are treats inside. As soon as the rabbit’s nose is even partially inside the mask, reward immediately. Gradually reinforce this behavior and work step by step to encourage the rabbit to keep its nose in the mask for increasingly longer periods.

For training, you can also modify the mask slightly by cutting out a section under the mouth area to slide treats through during practice.

Step 2: Positive Association with the Inhalation Device
Before you can start actual inhalation, the sound of the inhalation device needs to be positively reinforced. Turn the device on for a few seconds and immediately reward the rabbit. Gradually increase the time the device is running until the rabbit becomes accustomed to the sound and shows no signs of fear.

Step 3: Combining the Mask and Device
Once the rabbit is comfortable with the sound of the device, begin training it to approach the mask while the device is on. Repeat the same steps as before, gradually increasing the duration the rabbit keeps its nose in the mask while the device is running.

The End Goal: Stress-Free Inhalation
With time and patience, the rabbit will learn to inhale voluntarily.

Additional Medical Training Ideas
This training method can be applied to other tasks, such as voluntary entry into a transport box or allowing ear examinations. The principle remains the same: break the process into small steps and use positive reinforcement.

Have fun experimenting and good luck!

Nasal Surgery (Rhinotomy)

For chronic nasal infections, surgery can sometimes help by removing the inflamed tissue, allowing better healing. In some cases, a drainage tube is placed to enable continued flushing of the nasal cavity during the healing process.

Case Report (Photo on the right)
Marie suffered from a severe purulent rhinitis, which had caused bone loss. She also developed hypothermia and neurological symptoms (similar to those seen in E. cuniculi, though no underlying cause was identified).

The rhinotomy was highly successful and healed well, giving her a new lease on life. Since the surgery, Marie has had no symptoms of nasal infection, and the operation ultimately saved her life.

Living Conditions

The occurrence of rabbit snuffles is influenced by many factors, but one thing is clear: rabbits living in ideal conditions are significantly less likely to develop it than those in poor living conditions. For this reason, snuffles are often referred to as a „multifactorial disease.“ There are also specific measures to improve living conditions for rabbits with snuffles.

Indoor or Outdoor Housing?
Although outdoor housing is often recommended for rabbits with snuffles due to its potential benefits, this isn’t always confirmed in practice.

Indoor Housing
Humidity: Dry indoor air can worsen respiratory issues. Humidify the air with a damp cloth on the heater or a humidifier.
UVB Lamp: Provide a UVB lamp, as natural sunlight is essential for rabbit health.

Outdoor Housing
Weather Protection: Ensure proper weatherproofing with windproof areas and dry bedding.
Space: Plenty of space reduces stress, promotes harmony within the group, and lowers infection pressure.
The better the living conditions, the stronger the rabbit’s immune system.

Diet
A poor diet can worsen snuffles, while a good diet can help reduce symptoms.

Fresh Food-Based Diet:
Focus on providing a diet rich in fresh greens that meets the rabbit’s nutritional needs.
Herbs:
Include plenty of herbs, especially those beneficial for respiratory health, such as:
Sage, peppermint, thuja, oregano, nasturtium, plantain, thyme.
Ginger and horseradish can also help, though rabbits may take a few days to accept them. If rejected, try mixing shredded ginger or horseradish into mashed banana.

Warmth and Lighting
Heat Lamps: A heat source such as a red heat lamp or a UVB lamp can provide comfort for rabbits with snuffles.

Bedding and Hay
Dust-Free Bedding:
Use low-dust options like hemp bedding or Ecoflax.
To reduce dust exposure further, only line the litter box with bedding, and cover the rest of the enclosure with washable cotton rugs or blankets.
Dust-Free Hay:
Opt for dust-free hay, such as hot-air dried hay. Dusty bedding and hay can irritate the respiratory system and worsen snuffles.

Cleanliness:
Wet or ammonia-rich bedding is particularly harmful to rabbits with snuffles.
Clean the enclosure frequently to keep it dry and fresh.
Wood Pellets: These are highly absorbent, low in dust, and excellent at binding ammonia, making them a great option for litter boxes.

By maintaining optimal living conditions, you can significantly improve the health and quality of life of rabbits with snuffles.

Vaccination Against Snuffles

Until recently, rabbits could be vaccinated against two of the main pathogens responsible for snuffles: Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. However, the vaccine has been withdrawn from the market.

While the vaccine was once used in large rabbit populations to reduce the overall infection pressure, it is not recommended for individual pet rabbits. This is because the vaccine does not protect against all pathogens that cause snuffles and may even lead to the development of snuffles in some rabbits that were previously healthy.

In commercial breeding or large-scale rabbit farming, the strategy was sometimes to cull infected rabbits to eliminate the disease from the group. However, this approach is not a viable or ethical solution for pet rabbit owners.

Therefore, in home environments, vaccination is not typically a part of snuffle prevention, and the focus remains on improving living conditions, hygiene, and diet to support the rabbit’s immune system.

Forever Sick?

A significant portion of the rabbit population in Germany is latently infected with the pathogens that cause snuffles (Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica), meaning they carry the bacteria without showing symptoms. In some rabbits, outbreaks can occur occasionally, typically triggered by a weakened immune system.

If treatment is started early, as soon as symptoms like sneezing appear, snuffles can often be managed successfully. With optimal care, including good nutrition and proper living conditions, many rabbits live their lives without further issues.

However, rabbits with chronically weakened immune systems, or those that have had untreated snuffles for a long time, may develop chronic symptoms. In such cases, ongoing management, such as inhalation therapy and other supportive treatments, is needed to keep the rabbit healthy.

The severity of snuffles often arises when owners fail to take the initial symptoms seriously, leaving the condition untreated for a long time, sometimes coupled with poor diet and inadequate living conditions. Incorrect treatment can also exacerbate the problem. Additionally, rabbits suffering from other chronic illnesses or those with weakened immune systems are more likely to face recurring snuffles.

Rabbits that contracted the disease early in life (for example, from their mother) may also experience more frequent flare-ups or ongoing symptoms. In such cases, the immune system may „accommodate“ the infection, leading to chronic sneezing or other symptoms over time.

Contagion Risk

As previously mentioned, many rabbits are infected with the pathogens that cause snuffles without ever becoming ill. In breeding facilities, it is common for 25-100% of rabbits to be affected by Pasteurella bacteria, one of the main pathogens of snuffles, though there are many others. In meat production farms, depending on the population, 75-100% of rabbits can carry the pathogen. It is assumed that pet rabbit populations have similarly high infection rates.

The pathogens are transmitted through droplet infection via direct contact, during birth, or through contaminated objects. The incubation period is approximately two weeks. Only a few rabbits develop symptoms, while most are infected but remain completely healthy. Therefore, in group housing, it is very likely that some rabbits have been infected, and it is nearly impossible to maintain a population entirely free of pathogens.

Some associations recommend separating rabbits that have had snuffles outbreaks from those that haven’t. However, this is not always practical, as many healthy-looking rabbits can still carry the pathogen. Additionally, housing only snuffles rabbits together is not beneficial, as these rabbits often harbor not only the main pathogens but also secondary pathogens, which they can pass on to other immune-compromised animals, making their immune systems fight even more pathogens.

Complicating matters, the main pathogens are often undetectable even with nasal swabs, or only a portion of the pathogens are identified. Rabbit snuffles is almost always caused by a combination of multiple pathogens. The only way to definitively identify if a rabbit carries a specific pathogen is through post-mortem examination.

Management of Infected Rabbits

• Asymptomatic Infected Rabbits („Dry Snuffles“)
  Rabbits with latent or asymptomatic snuffles should be treated like any other rabbit, as they do not pose an immediate risk to healthy rabbits in the group.

• Rabbits with Active Symptoms
  Rabbits with active symptoms, such as sneezing or nasal discharge, can infect other immune-compromised animals. During an acute outbreak, there is a high pathogen load in the enclosure, so these rabbits should be treated promptly to reduce the risk of further infections.

• Co-habitation with Healthy Rabbits
  It is typically safe to house an acutely ill rabbit with others that have strong immune systems, as they are less likely to catch the illness. These healthy rabbits are less at risk than immune-compromised ones, who may already be affected by other pathogens.

• Single Housing:
  Single housing is never an ideal solution. Since a large proportion of rabbits are already carriers of snuffles (and this cannot be ruled out even with nasal swabs), isolating most rabbits would be impractical. Additionally, solitary confinement causes invisible stress, as rabbits cannot fully relax without a companion to warn them of danger. This stress can, in turn, exacerbate snuffles symptoms.

Thus, the key to managing snuffles is reducing the infection pressure in the enclosure through early treatment, providing proper care, and maintaining good hygiene, while still allowing for social interaction among rabbits.

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