Pasteurella multocida

Most Rabbits kept as household pets suffer relatively few ailments that are not related to their delicate digestive tracts.
However the exception to this is a complex of diseases caused by a
single bacteria called Pasteurella multocida.
Some studies have proven that over half of all pet rabbits carry this organism,
although only a small amount will actually show clinical signs of this infection.
However some complex host factors will determine the expression of this disease.
A healthy immune system along with good nutrition, and a clean and sanitized
environment, followed with a minimal amount of stress will help to keep this organism in check.
Of the various manifestations of Pasteurella infection, the most well-known is "Snuffles".
Or the common cold of rabbits.
Snuffles is a rhinits/sinusitis caused most often by the Pasteurella bacteria.
However the organisms can be involved as well.

Like a cold in a us humans, clinical signs include:

Naso-ocular discharges
Sneezing
Congestion
Wheezing

However unlike a human with a cold, rabbits will have very exaggerated, loud "snuffling"
sound with the presence of relatively little nasal phlegm.
This occurs because of a rabbit's unique nasal anatomy, which includes
constricted passages that become clogged with a small amount of debris.
Sometimes a rabbit can overcome snuffles without veterinary care, but this is very rare.
In most cases antibiotic therapy is required to stop the progression of the disease
to a much more serious one like pneumonia.
Pneumonia, a disease of the lower airways and is a devastating condition in rabbits.
It may develop after a severe case of snuffles, or even develop with very few preceding
upper respiratory signs.
A rabbit with upper airway infection may show few signs, however with pneumonia is often febrile, anorexic and lethargic. Marked dyspnea, or have labored breathing.
. Without intervention and treatment, this disease will prove to be deadly.
There are many Diseases associated with a Pasteurella infection, thus making it one of the worst
and most infectious diseases effecting rabbit health.
In summary, Pasteurella infections can be common in rabbits.
Antibiotic treatment must sometimes be continued long term to hopefully,
eliminate the organism which causes the infection.
However often this bacteria cannot be completely cleared up even with treatment,
resulting in carriers who will repeatedly show signs of pasteurella and related diseases.
Even a healthy, unstressed animal in a good environment can harbor Pasteurella
in his lifetime yet never show any symptoms of disease.