My rabbit is sneezing, coughing, and breathing hard. Is it serious?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I have an 8 year old netherland dwarf rabbit - she has recently started making a weird sneezing / coughing sounds. I’m worried about her and don’t know what to do. She has never had health issues before and has always been very healthy. She appears to be breathing harder than normal too. Her appetite seems to be ok, although she usually finishes all of her food in a day, she recently started leaving food in her bowl. Any thoughts before i take her to a vet for a check up ?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 28th, 2017
It sounds like she has a respiratory infection so I suggest you take her to your vet for an exam. I don't think it's an emergency like you have to take her now but I would try to get her in tomorrow. If this is a respiratory infection she is going to need antibiotics and you can only get those from your vet. The other option is asthma/allergy but again, you would need to get medications to treat this from your vet. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 30th, 2018
Hi and thank you for your question, It is likely a respiratory infection often referred to as "snuffles". It generally requires antibiotic treatment and it's best to separate Tony from the other rabbits. I would ask your local vet if he/she could read about snuffles/pasteurella in rabbits and prescribe the needed treatment. Regards
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 5th, 2017
Your rabbit is probably suffering from an upper respiratory infection also known as Snuffles, unfortunately you cannot treat this at home without getting the proper antibiotics from the vet, you will have to take Rica to the vet for that.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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