If your rabbit is sneezing, has a runny nose, or sounds congested, you may be facing rabbit snuffles symptoms. Snuffles is shorthand for a respiratory infection commonly caused by Pasteurella multocida, though several other bacteria can be involved. It's one of the most common — and one of the most under-recognized — illnesses in pet rabbits.
Here's what's going on, what to watch for, and why this is a "see the vet" situation.
What Is Snuffles?
Snuffles describes upper respiratory infection in rabbits. The most common bacterial cause is Pasteurella multocida, though Bordetella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and others can also be involved.
Importantly, 20–60% of pet rabbits carry Pasteurella with no symptoms. The bacteria typically only cause problems when the rabbit is stressed, immunocompromised, or in a poor environment — high humidity, ammonia from dirty litter, poor ventilation, or cohabiting with carrier rabbits.
Common Symptoms
Watch for any combination of:
Respiratory Signs
- Sneezing — more than the occasional dust sneeze
- Runny nose — clear or white discharge, sometimes thicker yellow-green
- Mats of crusty discharge on the front paws (from face-grooming)
- Loud, snuffling, or noisy breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Mouth breathing (a true emergency in rabbits — they're obligate nose breathers)
Eye Signs
- Watery or thick eye discharge
- Red, swollen eyelids
- Tear staining or matted fur around the eyes
- Dacryocystitis (blocked, infected tear ducts)
Other Possible Signs
- Head tilt or rolling — if infection spreads to the inner ear
- Reduced appetite or stopping eating
- Weight loss
- Reduced energy or hiding
- Abscesses under the skin, in the jaw, or around the eyes
- Tilting head, circling, or loss of balance (neurologic involvement)
When to Worry
Treat as urgent and see an exotic vet today if your rabbit:
- Has stopped eating or pooping (any rabbit with a respiratory infection that isn't eating is at risk of GI stasis — a separate emergency)
- Is mouth breathing or has labored breathing
- Has thick yellow or green discharge from nose or eyes
- Has developed a head tilt or seems off-balance
- Is lethargic, hunched, or unresponsive
- Has swelling on the face, jaw, or neck
Untreated snuffles can lead to pneumonia, brain involvement, chronic abscesses, and death. The earlier treatment starts, the better the outcome.
What To Do at Home
Snuffles is not something to manage with home remedies alone. While you arrange an exotic vet visit:
- Keep your rabbit warm and quiet. Stress worsens infection.
- Make sure they're eating and pooping. Offer favorite greens and hay. If they refuse food for more than 8–12 hours, it's an emergency.
- Clean the nose and eyes gently with a damp cotton pad — but be gentle.
- Improve ventilation. Reduce ammonia by spot-cleaning the litter daily.
- Run a humidifier to help loosen secretions (not too much — high humidity can encourage bacteria).
- Isolate from other rabbits until your vet confirms it's safe.
- Bring a sample of the discharge to the vet — they may culture it.
Do not give human cold medications, antibiotics from another pet, or essential oils — many are toxic to rabbits.
How Vets Treat Snuffles
Treatment usually includes:
- Antibiotics — chosen carefully (some are toxic to rabbits) and often guided by culture
- Long courses — weeks to months, sometimes lifelong management
- Eye drops or ointments for ocular involvement
- Tear duct flushing for blocked ducts
- Pain relief and appetite support
- Treatment of underlying dental disease, which often causes facial abscesses
Many rabbits become "snuffles carriers" who flare under stress and improve with management.
Prevention
- Keep enclosures clean, dry, and well-ventilated
- Reduce stress with stable routines and a companion (if compatible)
- Quarantine new rabbits for at least 2 weeks before introducing
- Address dental issues promptly — molar problems are a hidden trigger
- Schedule annual exotic-vet check-ups
How Voyage AI Vet Can Help
Snuffles can look like "just a sneeze" in early days and like a respiratory emergency a week later. Voyage AI Vet can help you track symptoms over time, flag when changes signal a worsening picture, and tell you when same-day exotic vet care is needed. Voyage AI Vet can help you assess whether your rabbit's symptoms need urgent care from an exotic vet — starting at $4.99/month. Get an instant assessment anytime, day or night.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. For exotic pets, always consult a vet with exotic animal experience.