Nasal (and other URT) Foreign Bodies in Lagomorphs

• Grass seeds, hay, hair shafts or other materials. (B600.13.w13, B601.7.w7, B602.17.w17, J513.1.w1)

Clinical signs

• Sneezing (repeated or paroxysmal)
• Rubbing of the nose (with the forepaws and/or on the ground.
• Usually unilateral nasal discharge.
• Upper respiratory noise (rales), loud.
• Sometimes respiratory distress and mouth-breathing - particularly if the foreign body is deep in the nasopharynx

(B600.13.w13, B601.7.w7, B602.17.w17, V.w44)

Diagnosis

• Visual inspection of the nares may reveal the foreign body. (B600.13.w13, B601.7.w7)
• Check the patency of the nasal passages by occluding one side then the other and listening. 
• Inspection of the nares using a rigid endoscope, 1.9 mm diameter. (B601.7.w7, J513.1.w1)
  • This requires general anaesthesia and is only possible in larger rabbits. (B601.7.w7)
• Radiography. (V.w127)
• MRI. (V.w127)
• See: Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment
• Note: foreign bodies may also be in the pharynx or trachea. (B602.17.w17)

Treatment

• If possible, manually remove the foreign body; use endoscopy if necessary (Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment). (B600.13.w13, B601.7.w7, J513.1.w1)
  • Sometimes the offending material can be pushed through into the oesophagus. (J513.1.w1)
• Flushing the nasal passages: under general anaesthesia and with the rabbit intubated (Endotracheal Intubation of Rabbits), flush the nasal passages with sterile saline. (B601.7.w7)
  • Make sure the rabbit is positioned so that any foreign bodies and purulent material can drain out of the mouth. 

(B600.13.w13, B601.7.w7, V.w44)

• Endotracheal Intubation of Rabbits
• Environmental Assessment
• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment
• Clinical Pathology of Lagomorphs
• Treatment and Care
• Environmental and Population Management
• Preventative Medicine for Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic rabbit