Snuffles is a common upper respiratory disease in domestic rabbits that is caused by bacteria. It often starts as a nasal discharge that soon becomes thick with mucus, which often can be found on the front legs of the rabbit because it has wiped its face.
There may also be sneezing and coughing. The disease may soon develop into pneumonia, which often causes the death of the rabbit. In some cases, a rabbit shows very few signs of disease and yet is found dead after an outbreak of snuffles.
The bacteria is common among domestic rabbits and may be started by a condition that can cause stress, such as overcrowding, poor housing or inadequate diet.
Giving medications such as antibiotics may have no effect because resistance to them is very common.
Once you recognize these signs, we recommend that you re-evaluate the housing of your rabbits and make sure that they have an adequate diet. You should thoroughly clean the hutch before introducing any new rabbits.
You may want to isolate the new rabbits from any current rabbits.
You should have your veterinarian examine your other rabbit and possibly do cultures on any nasal discharges.
You should also consider other possible causes of death, such as toxins, excessive heat or other diseases.
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