2 questions; baytril ok for 1 month old bunny? and…

[Rigby]

Hi again,

 1.) We rescued a couple more dwarf bunnies from terrible conditions in a pet market and i noticed that one of them seems to have snuffles. They are 1 month old, would a baytril injection and oral doses afterwards be ok in this situation? or just orally?

We gave Mimi(also a dwarf) a baytril injection at about 1.5 months of age, as well as about 10 days worth of baytril doses and she did just fine, although she fought tooth and nail to avoid her daily dosages! 

What would you guys suggest in this situation?

2.) Also, is there anything that would help with a bunny that doesn’t have a mom around to help them with proper gut acclimation and health? I read that they eat their mother’s droppings to help with gut health but mommy is not around anymore. 

We’re very fortunate that Mimi, who was also without a mother, has been doing well so far, although we did lose the boy about a 3-4 weeks ago.

Thanks in advanced, our new bunnies are especially thankful

[Sarita]

Have you asked the vet about the baytril? That would be my first suggestion to you if you have not. I know usually vets prefer not to give any medication to very young rabbits if at all possible, but sometimes it must be done which is why I would not do anything without the approval of a vet.

I think as far as the acclimation having a good healthy environment, good pellets, fresh water and stress free will help alot.

The very sad thing is that this pet market is going to continue the cycle of selling baby animals :~(

[Beka27]

I agree, seek the advice of your vet regarding the meds.

I’m sorry you lost your boy, that’s very sad… Take good care of your remaining buns.

[Rigby]

Hi Sarita,

I’m aware that my trying to help these rabbits is in part helping to get them back out there the next day to sell more, but nobody seems to be doing anything about it. Is it wrong to want to help them until the government steps up to clamp down? I don’t know. Sadly though animal rights is a joke here in Asia. I used to look down on western nations who ‘stuck there nose’ in business that didn’t involve them but now I see things differently, I realize that western influence and our placing higher value animal rights and lives is extremely important. Not only animal rights but human rights as well. It’s a joke out here.. Anyway, I’m sure you have a full time job so I won’t continue, surely I’d be here for hours on end talking about these matters as frustrated about it as I am..
My vet is only available 2 days of the week so I would have to wait to talk to her. I do feel like giving them injections now would not be a great idea but I think we lost our first bunny to the snuffles. I will be able to see my vet in 3 days time, should I wait until then or go tomorrow and just get some oral doses of baytril? Thanks so much.

[Rigby]

thanks Beka27. We still miss him dearly : (

And thanks you guys for bearing with me, it’s hard out here not having adequate vet care 7 days a week, dealing with limited English-speaking staff, so i’m sure i will be posting here a lot. Just want to make sure my little bunnies are healthy : )

[Sarita]

Rigby, that sounds so frustrating! I totally understand where you are coming from. I definitely don’t feel comfortable advising you on medicating your babies and understand as well your trepidation in waiting. Does your vet use email at all to contact on their day off for questions like this? I’m guessing not or I suspect you would have emailed for advice.

[Rigby]

Hi Sarita,

I will call tomorrow and ask to see if they have her email on file.
Can I ask you another question? If a bun has already gotten a baytril injection and oral dosages(10 days) and later his/her snuffles flares up, would you normally just give another round(10 days?) of oral baytril as opposed to another injection + oral dosages?

[Sarita]

I think I would try the injection again and round of baytril. Unfortunately the problem with the whole situation is you just really don’t know what bacteria you are treating. Baytril is rabbit safe so using it you know it is safe but you don’t really know if you are treating the actual problem. Most vets do assume that the problem is pasturella but many times it is pasturella and some other bacteria causing the upper respiratory infection – I do think though that baytril is overused but sometimes it is may be the only rabbit safe medication that is available…would your vet however be able to try another medication…it’s worth asking if the baytril is not really doing the trick. Probably too much opinion there and you sound like you may be in a situation with limited help.

I guess you are in a situation where all you may be able to do is treat the symptoms when they arise.

Is the injection the same strength as the oral?

[Rigby]

thanks again Sarita. I’ll take your advice into account as well as seeing what my vet has to say. i just want to attack the snuffles every time it pops up but yeah I don’t really know exactly what it is that we’re dealing with. I’m hoping my vet can help to fill in some of the blanks here.
And I’m not sure if the injection is the same strength as the oral form. i’ll try to find that out as well.

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