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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Got better with Baytril… now regressing?

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    • chicagorabbit
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        Hi Everyone,

         

        This is my first post, but I have been reading the forums for awhile now.  About 4 weeks ago my fiance and I adopted a rabbit from our local rescue.  He had been there for about 3 months, had seen the vet at least once, and had no known health issues.

        When we brought him home he adjusted pretty well, but it seemed he was drinking a lot of water (1st time rabbit owners so we weren’t sure.)  Not long after I started noticing rabbit urine drips on the ground, which then turned into a rabbit with a rather wet butt.  So off to the vet we went.  Our vet took x-rays and drew blood.  X-rays were clean, but she did say that a couple of his liver enzymes were elevated beyond what she would expect.  We were sent home with Baytril and a probiotic, which we gave him twice a day for two weeks.

        After about 3 days of medication water intake went way down, he was no longer dribbling urine, and his bottom was staying dry!  Fortunately he loved his meds and took them happily from the syringe.  He went off the Baytril last Wednesday and we though all was well.  But, about 3 days letter we started seeing urine dribbles and now his water intake has skyrocketed again.  Is this a sign that something beyond a general infection is going on?  Does he need to spend longer on the Baytril?  I’m driving myself crazy looking at all the possibilities. 

        I’ve already called and scheduled an appointment for later this week.  I have no idea what to expect when we go and would appreciate any thoughts those of you that are much more experienced might have.  Is it normal that he would respond so well to the Baytril and then regress as soon as we stopped giving it?  His food intake has been constant throughout the whole ordeal and he seems to have plenty of energy too. 

        Also, we still have some Baytril leftover….. should we start giving it to him again, or wait until we can get to the vet?  Our vet is amazing, but the person that answers the phone when we call is less than helpful and I wasn’t able to get an answer from her.  Thanks for reading this and I appreciate any thoughts you have! 

         

         

         


      • Sarita
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        18851 posts Send Private Message

          Welcome. I would not continue the baytril unless the vet advises it. It is possible he may need a longer course but you don’t want to do that unless the vet advises.

          Usually you won’t get any answers from the person who answers the phone – they aren’t really trained to give you advise, it’s frustrating but that’s how it is and honestly sometimes even the vet tech’s give the wrong answers (because I think they get confused sometimes) so speaking directly with the vet is the best thing to do anyway.

          Honestly sometimes it is a matter of trying different treatments to get the best response…did she do a urninalysis?

          Hopefully you will get some more answers once you see the vet later this week.


        • Megabunny
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          2041 posts Send Private Message

            FWIW: If you have a question about something and are dealing with a lazy receptionist, request that she ask the doctor. I’ve had one receptionist try to BS her way through answers and that is so wrong. I’m a retired tech. That is their job. Be sure they do it. We get charged a boatload of money for our pets. They can ask.


          • jerseygirl
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              ^ So true Megabunny.

              Welcome chicagorabbit : )

              I agree you’re more likely needing to go on a longer course of the antibiotic.
              Try not to worry too much (I know… Easier said then done!)
              Because you saw such a good result on the baytril points to it being a bacterial infection. It’s likely just a bit stubborn.

              X-rays were clean, but she did say that a couple of his liver enzymes were elevated beyond what she would expect

              Are you using wood based litter or bedding?
              Some types can cause a rise in liver enzymes.

              If you’re interested in some natural products to assist, the BinkyBunny store carries Oxbow Urinary Support supplements. Bearberry (uva ursi) which is rabbit safe, is meant to aid urinary issues also. I’ve found it as a tea. I’ve sprinkled the leaves in with other food and also brewed it and given to them cold.


            • chicagorabbit
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                Thanks for the responses, I feel a little less stressed now.  I’ll wait to see what the vet says about the Baytril.  I realize that the people answering phones generally aren’t able to give recommendations, but rather than say that she often just ignores the question…. frustrating, but worth it for the quality of care we get once there.  

                The litter box situation is like this: wood stove pellets with hay over the top.  This is what the rescue suggested; we actually buy the pellets from them.  When we took him to the vet last time he had some minor urine scald and they suggested putting Carefresh between the wood pellets and hay, as it is softer and easier to scoop out when wet.  We’re still doing that, but hope to stop once the issue gets cleared up.


              • jerseygirl
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                  Wood stove pellets are deemed pretty safe.

                  Not nice for you having to deal with this only one month into having a bunny.
                  Hope you’re able up sort it out for him.
                  He looks very sweet. Your avatar pic is like he’s presenting to us all for nose rubs. Happy to do that!
                  *scritch scritch*


                • chicagorabbit
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                    Thanks Jerseygirl; Crush certainly does know how to demand attention!

                    I’ve definitely gotten to know the vet better than I had hoped to this early into rabbit ownership. After our visit this morning, Crush’s liver enzymes are still high and we’re back to giving Bayril and the probiotic for two more weeks. The vet also prescribed cholestyramine to sprinkle over his salad and Laxatone, which the shelter gave us when he was adopted. Given how much the Baytril helped before, she’s hopeful this next round will knock it out for good. If not, he’ll be getting tested for E Cuniculi in 2 weeks. At this point, I’m just glad he shows no signs of discomfort and is pretty enthusiastic about taking his meds. Of course, he’s far from a picky rabbit, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.


                  • Megabunny
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                      OK I’ll take this chance to ask about the wood stove pellets. I used them for a long time (that rabbit lived to be 11) but in that time I discovered pine pellet bedding and have used it ever since. I went to the feed store and was buying wood stove pellets from there and the lady REFUSED to sell them to me when I mentioned it was for my rabbit’s litter pan. She said there are chemicals on them and she would NOT sell them to someone planning to use them for their rabbit. I was actually more impressed she had the nerve to stand up for what she felt was best for the rabbit, decided she might have a point, and was going to leave but she pointed out the pellet bedding, so that’s what I got.

                      Just sharing this story and don’t know if anyone else has heard of this.


                    • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                        @chicagorabbit You could ask to leave a message for the vet to call you back in the meantime; your vet may even prescribe something over the phone rather then wait for the appointment. Your vet likely won’t know what your coming in for until you go, and the receptionist basically just booked you in the next free spot. I think your vet may want to talk to you sooner since the issue is recurring and he/she may be able to see you sooner, (or not!) depending on what’s still going on. So imo totally worth asking to speak to your vet in the meantime while you wait for your appt!

                        @megabunny there may be types of woodstove pellets that are treated! The ones we suggest of course have no chemicals-they are used as horse bedding, and for cat and rabbit litter. Maybe if you drop into the feedstore where she refused to sell them to you, take a picture of the brand to post here, and/or take a good read of the bag. Certainly they make products that are treated to be flammable-so maybe you need to search out another brand that is chemical free!


                      • Megabunny
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                          Thanks K. Yeah, that actually happened awhile back when I had the last rabbit and they were using that hose pellet bedding for all their cages critters (I felt bad for the G.P.s). I’ve gotten that ever since. I tried to find woodstove pellets that weren’t treated and didn’t have any luck but as long as I can keep getting the horse pellets, it’s all good. We’ve moved to South Carolina and had to drive 40 min. to find a store that sold them, but someone closer said they are trying to stock them.

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                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Got better with Baytril… now regressing?