Pasteurelloses, "snuffles," torticollis, metritis, mastitis, abscesses and many other problems of rabbits are symptoms of infections caused by Pasteurella multocida, a bacteria that is present in most all rabbits. There is alot of misunderstanding and misconception about the bacteria and the disease its self.

Pasteurella bacteria live in the upper respiratory tract (nose and sinus) of rabbits and other mammals. While it is believed that most rabbits carry the bacteria, it is usually only when the rabbit is stressed or in poor health that the bacteria can grow out of control and start causing symptoms.

The symptoms of the infection depend mostly on where the infection starts. Symptoms in the upper respiratory tract are a thick white nasal discharge accompanied by sneezing or a cough. You may also notice wet matting of the front inside paws, as the rabbit tries to wipe its nose.

If the infection moves up the rabbit's middle ear, ear infections result. Symptoms include loss of balance or head tilt. The official name for this symptom is "torticollis" or "wry neck".

Sometimes Pasteurella can enter the rabbits system by way of a bite or wounds. In these cases it causes abscesses, like in the mammary glands of nursing does (mastitis) or in the uterus following birth (metritis).

Treatment includes antibiotics that kill the Pasteurella but don't kill the healthy bacteria in the rabbit's stomach. The most common being Baytril. Most cases require weeks of treatment.

A clean, stress free environment and a healthy diet can go along way in preventing Pasteurella outbreaks.

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