(update!) Prevalence of Rabbits with Lifelong Tx?

[Wick & Fable]

Does anyone have a rabbit or is knowledgeable about rabbits who are on life-long antibiotic/probiotic treatment?

Wick has been on treatment for quite a while. He’s on Baytril (syringe, x2/day) and Floxacillin (injection, x1 per 3 days). His sneezing is pretty much gone, and he has a snot-filled nose maybe every 3-4 days. I’m a bit concerned that this is something he’ll need to be on… forever, because if a dose is slightly late or missed, it seems his symptoms come back. It’s always apparent when he needs an injection, because he’ll start sneezing a bit that morning.

Between the cost and also for Wick’s sake, I wanted to know what BB members had to say about rabbits who may need treatment for the rest of their lives. Wick will be seeing the vet this week as usual for a refill of medications, and I assume the discussion of ceasing them may come up. The one time we tried stopping the Baytril, he started sneezing again less than 8 hours past when he’d get his usual dosage, so it seems the symptoms would probably re-appear without the treatment.

Update!: It’s been 6 days since Wick discontinued his penicillin injection. At this point, he should have received 3 doses, but we decided last week to stop it and see what happens while persisting on the Baytril. The verdict: everything is a-okay! The first morning was scary because he had a lot of white discharge and snot, but it seemed to go away and never return after that morning. Wick’s prospects of getting medication free are getting better!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Luna]

I’m not familiar with life-long treatments, but for financing purposes, does your vet accept Care Credit or will pet insurance cover any costs in the future? Was it ever determined what the origin of his sneezing/nasal issues were? I couldn’t find it in your previous posts. Also, maybe Wick’s vet could look at his molars again just in case?

[vanessa]

I’m curious – what is his diagnosis? What is he getting the antibiotics for?

[Wick & Fable]

We’ve never had a “This is the specific infection he has”, but he has a bacterial infection. No culture was taken. The breeder Wick came from (didn’t know at the time getting from breeders was bad; know better now though!!) was getting out of breeding Netherlands, and Wick was from their last litter, so I suspect he really didn’t get the best treatment from them. Wick was chosen at a 3rd-party location, so the fact that we couldn’t look at where he was raised was a big red flag. Although it seems indirect, my vet said we’d try some antibiotics she’s used in the past and see what ends up affecting the infection. I suspect it’s a single or combination bacterial infection, because sneezing did not cease until both Baytril and the Floxacillin were used together. The vet suspects the bacteria is persistent because it’s coating itself in the shells of dead bacteria cells, so we’re hoping that continued treatment will break down the bacteria’s barrier so we can get to the heart of the bacteria that are still thriving. That or it will lose nutrients from being encased and it will die on its own…. bacteria are crazy.

I don’t know if I have pet insurance through my insurance provide… My vet requires payment at visit via card/cash, so I’ve always just paid there. They’ve never mentioned anything about accepting Care Credit/pet insurance; they’re a small vet business, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t take those types of payments.

And thanks for the note about re-checking molars— I actually would like that to happen at his next visit too (I assume my vet would want to check anyways), because I thought Wick was grinding his teeth prior to the operation due to teeth pain, but he’s still making the same sound every so often, so it could just be a variation of his teeth purring, or something else is bothering him.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[vanessa]

I’d ask for a bacteria culture. If they can identify the bacteria, they can give a more accurate treatment plan. Looking up those two, it seems like a “throw the kitchen sink at it” plan, to see what sticks. Baytril is a broad spectrum gram positive/negative antibiotic. Floxacillin is a narrow spectrum gram negative antibiotic in the penicillin family.
I wouldn’t be keen on the dermal effects of repeat injections, or the effect on the bacterial balance from long term antibiotics.
I agree with Luna about having his teeth checked – but I’d also ask for a bacteria culture.

[Wick & Fable]

Update: Wick just had a vet visit, and I actually got to go this time (I’m usually at work and don’t attend). After discussing everything, we’ve decided to stop the injections and persist with Baytril. We’ll call the vet if any symptoms reemerge from not having the injection (would happen soon since Wick would have had a shot tonight).

If we’re stumped again with symptoms emerging, there is the possibility of doing a test for Wick’s allergies. The vet has a partnership with a lab which usually runs horse blood work, but it works for rabbits as well— it apparently gives a good layout of the numerous items the animal is/isn’t allergic to.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[vanessa]

(((((Wick)))))

[Tony's Mum]

Poor baby. Hugs (((((Wick)))))

[Wick & Fable]

Update!: It’s been 6 days since Wick discontinued his penicillin injection. At this point, he should have received 3 doses, but we decided last week to stop it and see what happens while persisting on the Baytril. The verdict: everything is a-okay! The first morning was scary because he had a lot of white discharge and snot, but it seemed to go away and never return after that morning. Wick’s prospects of getting medication free are getting better!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Luna]

That’s great news .

[vanessa]

Thats good to hear 🙂

[Author]

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