Which pathogen would you suspect if a rabbit sneezes and has a nasal discharge and a head tilt?

Which pathogen would you suspect if a rabbit sneezes and has a nasal discharge and a head tilt?

• A. Pasteurellosis
• B. Influenza
• C. Coccidia
• D. Flukes

Answer: (A)

Sneezing with nasal discharge and a head tilt in a rabbit points to a Pasteurella multocida infection, known as pasteurellosis. This bacterium commonly causes rhinitis and sinusitis, producing persistent nasal discharge and the characteristic “snuffles.” When the infection spreads to the middle or inner ear, inflammation can affect balance and result in a head tilt. Because of this pattern, Pasteurella is the most likely pathogen behind those combined signs in rabbits. Influenza can cause respiratory signs but is not as characteristically linked to a chronic nasal discharge with a head tilt in rabbits. Coccidia and flukes mainly cause gastrointestinal or hepatic/other systemic issues, not this respiratory-plus-otic presentation, so they’re less likely explanations for this symptom cluster.

Sneezing with nasal discharge and a head tilt in a rabbit points to a Pasteurella multocida infection, known as pasteurellosis. This bacterium commonly causes rhinitis and sinusitis, producing persistent nasal discharge and the characteristic “snuffles.” When the infection spreads to the middle or inner ear, inflammation can affect balance and result in a head tilt. Because of this pattern, Pasteurella is the most likely pathogen behind those combined signs in rabbits.

Influenza can cause respiratory signs but is not as characteristically linked to a chronic nasal discharge with a head tilt in rabbits. Coccidia and flukes mainly cause gastrointestinal or hepatic/other systemic issues, not this respiratory-plus-otic presentation, so they’re less likely explanations for this symptom cluster.