A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

by **Jay** on Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:20 am

Firstly, Stewie seems to be sneezing more than I would expect. I've read that they can be allergic to hay and dust, but he has these sneezing fits, say 8-10 sneezes in a row. It is normally when he's around his hay, and I'm thinking it could be that, or simply that he's moved into a house, and there will be lots of potential irritants here that he hasn't experienced before? He's not snotty, and I don't want to start thinking about snuffles at this point in his life, but wondered if any of you had seen this before?

Second thins is that he drinks an enormous amount of water, for a bun his age. Berts never drank enough, maybe an inch of a bowl a day, but Stewie drink nearly 2 bowls a day, and if his water rums out, he'll come and stick his head in a glass on the table Laughing

I'm seeing the vet with him next week for VHD, so would like any info that I can discuss with her if anyone can help - I realise it may just be completely normal, but I also know it can be an indication of a few things. Thanks Wave

by FudgesMummy on Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:49 am

Fudge has the sneezing moments-sometimes I think it is because he is a dental bun but then I noticed its normally when he has been 'burrowing' through his hay.

Do you have the heating on in the flat? Just if so Stewie could be drinking and even sneezing more, if his throat/nose feels 'dry'...they way we get when we've visited the wrinkley relatives who have it like a furnance??? Just a thought and could be completely off base.

Stewie could also still be adjusting from being a street kid-like Mum has experienced with foster kids it takes them a while to realise they don't have to gobble their food/drinks as someone isn't going to take it away but it takes a while for them to realise that when their plate is empty it won't remain that long....maybe Stewie is still in drink it all whilst I can mode without realising he isn't living on the streets again....

Hope you get to the bottom of it but he is adorable and has two fantastic parents x

by **Katieb** on Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:10 pm

You know me...nothing useful to say.....

I agree with Kelly though that the drinking could be a behaviour from when he was hungry and thirsty and the sneezing becuase he is irritated by the hay.

In any case he couldnt be in better hands.

K x x

by **Jay** on Wed Nov 17, 2010 4:43 pm

FudgesMummy wrote:Fudge has the sneezing moments-sometimes I think it is because he is a dental bun but then I noticed its normally when he has been 'burrowing' through his hay.
It does seem to be when he's near his hay. I've gradually changed the hay as the one he came with was from a farm, and I don't have access to that, have got dust free though, but it still seems like there's lots of dust..

Do you have the heating on in the flat? Just if so Stewie could be drinking and even sneezing more, if his throat/nose feels 'dry'...they way we get when we've visited the wrinkley relatives who have it like a furnance??? Just a thought and could be completely off base.
It's not ever on high, but low level, I tend to put more layers on rgather than switch the heating up, but I did think the change of environment may have caused it, it's a good point

Stewie could also still be adjusting from being a street kid-like Mum has experienced with foster kids it takes them a while to realise they don't have to gobble their food/drinks as someone isn't going to take it away but it takes a while for them to realise that when their plate is empty it won't remain that long....maybe Stewie is still in drink it all whilst I can mode without realising he isn't living on the streets again....
I'd never thought of that, will ask Anne about that, thanks

Hope you get to the bottom of it but he is adorable and has two fantastic parents x
Thank-you

by Vince the bunny on Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:36 pm

This might not be relevant, but when Faline came to me she sneezed a bit but it went away after about a week or so and I can only put it down to stress from where she was living previously.

by **Catsknickers** on Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:12 am

I have some bunnies that drink alot and others that don't. Sooz even had Chance tested before I adopted him because he drank such vast amounts. The tests were clear and he is still a massive drinker, at his grand old age.

Kelly might be right you know, he could have that street bun thing going on and food and drink is a big issue, you quite often get puppies like that too.

I would see if the sneezing settles. If not try soaking the hay, like I mentioned the other day - we do that for horses who have a hay allergy and it works wonders.

I think things will settle and he will just prove to be a big drinker!

by Sixer on Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:50 pm

Catswhiskas wrote:Kelly might be right you know, he could have that street bun thing going on and food and drink is a big issue, you quite often get puppies like that too.

I can relate to this too. Paddy (the cat) was a stray before coming to us. He treats every meal as though it will be his last. He was so frantic to get at food at first that I had blood tests carried out - all normal. He is gradually getting better but I guess he will always have food issues.

As for the drinking, Gabe and Noo drank a lot more when they were living indoors so maybe the environment is a factor.

by **Jay** on Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:59 pm

Thanks Hoppers, you've been a big help. I'll talk to the vet about all these options on Tuesday Thumbs Up

by LilyGrace on Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:52 pm

Thistle always sneezes when he has a sniff around his hay >_< and he drinks a fair bit too, Luna doesn't drink as much and sneezes occasionally. Think it may just be the dust, will be interesting to hear what the vet says. Hope he's all okay Smile

by **Jay** on Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:28 pm

Just popped in to say that I discussed all these with the vet. The theories about his early life are valid considerations, but they are concerned about the amount and that his urine is predominantly clear.

I'm going to keep a measure of the exact amount he drinks for the next 3 days, and then we'll take it from there. I'm not stressing over it, but can't rule out a congenital kidney problem, or poss EC without the relevant tests, so if the measurements prove that he's drinking way too much, then he'll most likely have an ultrasound on his kidneys, urine and blood samples, and see what, if anything comes up.

He's so well in himself that I'm sure he's just a big drinker Laughing

The sneezing has stopped over the last few days, so I think that was environmental acclimatisation!

Thanks again, will keep you posted Smile

A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

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Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!

Re: A couple of 'New bunny' niggles U/D Thank-you Big Ears!