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Several things can lead to upper respiratory infections in rabbits including overcrowding, temperature extremes, malnutrition, poor sanitation, inadequate circulation of air, and other stressful conditions. Most upper respiratory diseases in rabbits are caused by a bacterium called Pasteurella multocida. This bacteria resides in the nasal cavity, eyes, lungs, and can be found in other areas of the body. It is transmitted to litters by an infected female, or between infected males and females, or from rabbit to rabbit in close living quarters. Make sure that your rabbit comes from a reputable breeder and ask about the incidence of Pasteurella outbreaks at their rabbitry.

Clinical signs of infection with Pasteurella can include: upper respiratory signs such as pneumonia, infected sinuses/nasal passages, sneezing, runny eyes/nose, middle ear infections, enlarged jawbones, uterine/breeding problems, listlessness/anorexia and the disease can appear anywhere else on the body in the form of an abscess. The rabbit's body responds tremendously to this type of infection and often will "wall off" the infection to form the abscess. Inside, thick inspissated pus (or collection of many, many white blood cells) will reside making it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate the wound. Sometimes, an infection with Pasteurella can be incurable if untreated or improperly treated--but if treated early with aggressive antibiotic therapy--treatment can be successful. Many antibiotics do not work well in rabbits with Pasteurella and this is why it can become a persistent problem and difficult to eradicate.

With any abscess, upper respiratory, or eye infections, early detection, diagnosis and treatment are key to success. There are other organisms that can cause similar signs and not be due to Pasteurella (thus more easily treatable). Always check with your veterinarian at the first sign of abnormal behavior or clinical signs.