Hello, I have 4 house rabbits and one of them has been diagnosed with pseudomonas aeuruginosa. He has had a culture and sensitivity test and is on strong antibiotics. He also has teeth problems. I am so worried about him - he has lots of things wrong with him but the vet does not feel that it is time to put him down. My vet has no experience of this infection and I have so many questions about his symptoms etc. Is there anyone out there that can help me please. He is the sweetest lionhead rabbit and only 2 years old.
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Pseudomonas aeuruginosa
- Thread starter Lily-Mai
- Start date
blaisey
Mama Doe
Is it an infection of the ear?
In humans it is a bacteria linked to conditions often known as "swimmers ear" and I wonder if it is similar.
After a look around on the internet I found this http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=179408 perhaps it would be worth taking it to show your vet, although the article is about a Dog it could be possible that she could try to suit some of the treatments to a rabbit.
I think it would be best for her to try at least something before courting the idea of putting the bunny to sleep.
Good Luck
In humans it is a bacteria linked to conditions often known as "swimmers ear" and I wonder if it is similar.
After a look around on the internet I found this http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=179408 perhaps it would be worth taking it to show your vet, although the article is about a Dog it could be possible that she could try to suit some of the treatments to a rabbit.
I think it would be best for her to try at least something before courting the idea of putting the bunny to sleep.
Good Luck
From what I'vre read it's an opportunistic infection most commonly seen in immuno-compromised humans and is very hard to treat as it has a high antibiotic resistance.
I have never heard of it in rabbits but it sounds like it would have developed secondarily to another primary problem because it lives, usually quite harmlessly, in the environment.
I think your vet should probably try contacting a rabbit expert for advice...what symptoms is it causing in your rabbit? I'm thinking they are likely respiratory?
I have never heard of it in rabbits but it sounds like it would have developed secondarily to another primary problem because it lives, usually quite harmlessly, in the environment.
I think your vet should probably try contacting a rabbit expert for advice...what symptoms is it causing in your rabbit? I'm thinking they are likely respiratory?
Pseudomona-aeuruginosa
Hi,
Thanks for my replies - its nice to know there is support out there. To answer the questions. The vet does not think it is an ear infection although his right ear has permanently dropped. The vet is going to try and refer me to someone else. My feeling is that he picked it up at the vets as he had his injections a couple of months beforehand and they used an auroscope to check his mouth - the same instrument used to check dogs ears (pseudomona is common in dog's ear) however, I cannot prove this.
His symptoms are runny eyes and nose and he has been on gentamicin for a week - 8 hourly injections and eyedrops. However, he has not drank any water for a week, he has become very selective about food and does not look for it but will eat mostly carrot tops, apple, oats and plantain if I put it in front of him.
Due to my concern, the vet tested his kidneys and they are fine and he is still urinating small amounts so I guess he is getting water from veggies. His poos are smaller but he has not lost weight.
He has had x-rays and his tearduct is inflammed - vet thinks tooth root problem but says not worth taking further - I guess because of his other problems.
His breathing is fast all the time (panting) and he grooms a lot. He is much quieter than usual but still gets excited about his dried blueberries and has a little run up and down the hallway at night.
I have noticed that his chin gets a bit wet too. It is so annoying because I don't know whether he is in pain or it is the antibiotics or teeth problems causing these things - any ideas / experiences would be much appreciated.
Loved the picture of the black lionhead - at least I think it is a lionhead.
Hi,
Thanks for my replies - its nice to know there is support out there. To answer the questions. The vet does not think it is an ear infection although his right ear has permanently dropped. The vet is going to try and refer me to someone else. My feeling is that he picked it up at the vets as he had his injections a couple of months beforehand and they used an auroscope to check his mouth - the same instrument used to check dogs ears (pseudomona is common in dog's ear) however, I cannot prove this.
His symptoms are runny eyes and nose and he has been on gentamicin for a week - 8 hourly injections and eyedrops. However, he has not drank any water for a week, he has become very selective about food and does not look for it but will eat mostly carrot tops, apple, oats and plantain if I put it in front of him.
Due to my concern, the vet tested his kidneys and they are fine and he is still urinating small amounts so I guess he is getting water from veggies. His poos are smaller but he has not lost weight.
He has had x-rays and his tearduct is inflammed - vet thinks tooth root problem but says not worth taking further - I guess because of his other problems.
His breathing is fast all the time (panting) and he grooms a lot. He is much quieter than usual but still gets excited about his dried blueberries and has a little run up and down the hallway at night.
I have noticed that his chin gets a bit wet too. It is so annoying because I don't know whether he is in pain or it is the antibiotics or teeth problems causing these things - any ideas / experiences would be much appreciated.
Loved the picture of the black lionhead - at least I think it is a lionhead.
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
Hi, sorry you are having a bad time. A wet chin can be a sign of teeth problems.
Can you add a bit of fresh pineapple juice to his water to try to tempt him to drink a bit more. My two also like a dash of boiling so in their bowl of water (to make it room temperature) - try it out of a bowl rather than a drinking bottle.
You could ask in Rabbit Chat if there are any bunny savvy vets in your area that can be recommended, it does sound like you need a second opinion asap.
I hope he pulls through this OK.
Can you add a bit of fresh pineapple juice to his water to try to tempt him to drink a bit more. My two also like a dash of boiling so in their bowl of water (to make it room temperature) - try it out of a bowl rather than a drinking bottle.
You could ask in Rabbit Chat if there are any bunny savvy vets in your area that can be recommended, it does sound like you need a second opinion asap.
I hope he pulls through this OK.
holidayhutch
Warren Veteran
Our dog Merlin suffers from this in his ear, it is a nightmare to clear up and not many ordinary vets can actually do it, it needs a specialist dermatological vet who will take specific cultures etc to see what strain is resisting to different treatments.
Ask for a referal to Sue Patterson at Rutland House in St Helens if possible, she is a leading specialist vet in this area and has worked wonders for Merlin.
I hope your bun is insured though as a consultation fee there for an initial appointment set us back just over £250 and that was without his medication, and he goes back there every 6 weeks for check ups
Ask for a referal to Sue Patterson at Rutland House in St Helens if possible, she is a leading specialist vet in this area and has worked wonders for Merlin.
I hope your bun is insured though as a consultation fee there for an initial appointment set us back just over £250 and that was without his medication, and he goes back there every 6 weeks for check ups
Hi,
Thanks for replies. Snoopy very active today but the vet wants to take him off the antibiotics - just when he seems a bit brighter. Not sure the right thing to do as I have read they need to stay on them for quite some time to make a difference. Problem is gentamicin is a very strong antibiotic.
Thanks for tip about pineapple juice - will try it in his water bowl.
Unfortunately, I did not insure any of my rabbits or my dog (stupid!!!) and we seem to be at the vets at least twice a week (my dog keeps getting grass seeds in her toes) - its costing a fortune. What we do for our animals.
Do many people actually insure rabbits these days - if so, any suggestions who is good to insure with. Also, is it relatively cheap and do you get a good deal if you have more than one.
Just out of interest, what are the symptoms of Pseudomonas in Merlin's ear and does the vet know where he got it from?
Thanks for replies. Snoopy very active today but the vet wants to take him off the antibiotics - just when he seems a bit brighter. Not sure the right thing to do as I have read they need to stay on them for quite some time to make a difference. Problem is gentamicin is a very strong antibiotic.
Thanks for tip about pineapple juice - will try it in his water bowl.
Unfortunately, I did not insure any of my rabbits or my dog (stupid!!!) and we seem to be at the vets at least twice a week (my dog keeps getting grass seeds in her toes) - its costing a fortune. What we do for our animals.
Do many people actually insure rabbits these days - if so, any suggestions who is good to insure with. Also, is it relatively cheap and do you get a good deal if you have more than one.
Just out of interest, what are the symptoms of Pseudomonas in Merlin's ear and does the vet know where he got it from?
blaisey
Mama Doe
My bunny is insured, it's currently being discussed here
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=153883
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=153883
mopsmum
Mama Doe
i never knew rabbits could have/carry this disease:shock: a bit scary for me as my daughter has cystic fibrosis and that is why i have heard of this. in people with cf it can grow in the lungs as they create the right enviroment with the sticky mucus they produce. it can be picked up from a variety of seemingly harmless places like soil,plant roots,stagnant water , fish tanks etc.
