URGENT help need poorly rabbit.

Hi,

Really need opinons regarding my rabbit he is 5 1/5 year old house rabbit.
A couple of months ago we found out that he had a ear infection Staphylococcus Aureus.We have been treating him with Baytril into his ear and orally with no effect.My vet gave him a flush through and discovered he had no ear drum and the infection was in his middle ear.We have also tried giving him daily injections of Ceporex for 3 weeks.My vet said even thought the ear looks better (inflamation gone) there is no big change and the infection is still there and she dont feel we are getting on top of the infection.He is also getting sore from injectons.My vet advised to keep in on Metacam until I decided the best time to put him to sleep.I am now so worried,he is still eating very well plenty of poo's and wee's still interested in his enviroment still likes snuggles and cleaning himself....but in the last few days he is grinding his teeth more,even when his body looks relaxed.Apart from the grinding not much in his behaviour has change......Do you think it is time to put him to sleep???
I find it hard to know if he is pain he has been on and off grinding since we found out about infection and then he confuses me by playing....he must be abit uncomfortable but is he ready to be put asleep???

Thankyou for reading I would really be thankful for advice x

no i dont think its timet o pts i think its time for a more rabbit savvy vet and a second opinion which location are you in and we can reccomend someone? x

also sometimes you need a culture form the infection to allow the correct antibiotic to be prescribed or a differnt dosage. do you know what tests have been done? x the metacam will act as pain relief but it could be he needs a higher dose or needs astronger pain relief a rabbit savvy vet can advise. x

bunlover said:

also sometimes you need a culture form the infection to allow the correct antibiotic to be prescribed or a differnt dosage. do you know what tests have been done? x the metacam will act as pain relief but it could be he needs a higher dose or needs astronger pain relief a rabbit savvy vet can advise. x

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thankyou for your reply....My vet sent away swabs it come back that he has staphylococcus aureus.
My vet told me she hasnt had a rabbit with it before they wanted me to put him to sleep straight away which I refused.
I live in the Bristol area.
We have tried licence drugs then off licenced drugs....My vet now knows how important he is to me as we have spent alot of money and time in helping him.
My vet has been in touch with a vet at Langford and they have been giving her advice.
She feels we have tried enough and just to make him comfortable...we stopped all treatment two weeks ago
I will asked about higher pain relife he is on 10 drops of metacam.

you arent too far from gloucester what about trying jason burgess at quedgeley in gloucester at woods vetinary hospital he is very rabbit savvy, if you dont feel that your bunny has given up yet then i would keep fighting and would be willing to try other things then i would give jason a call we trust him explicitly and he often lectures on rabbit care, his number is 01452 520056

maybe give hima call and find out his opinions before you make bun travel of course, alsosearch threads on staph infections? i dont know much about it but i would pm jacks jane as she is very knowledgable on rabbit illness.

you could also contact frances harquet brown (sp?) 01423 508945
who is reknowned for ehr expertise in rabbit care and prehaps christobel 0208 898 0528 in twickenham as well as a telephone consultant.x

Loking on google there sems to be a lot of studies on lab rabbits regarding Staphylococcus Aureus if you can bring yoruself to read these maybe they would help i find them quite complex myself. and cannot fully understand all the medical jargon though. x

I agree with Bunlover, Bunnylover and I would not be opting to put to sleep yet.
He is not an old bun and could still have many years ahead of him, it would be such a shame to loose him to a stubburn ear infection.
I would be getting lots more opinions from different vets to see what the majority vote is.
He sounds like a little fighter! He will tell you if and when he has given up and want to sleep, but till then he needs you to keep fighting for him.

Thinking of you both.

bunlover said:

you arent too far from gloucester what about trying jason burgess at quedgeley in gloucester at woods vetinary hospital he is very rabbit savvy, if you dont feel that your bunny has given up yet then i would keep fighting and would be willing to try other things then i would give jason a call we trust him explicitly and he often lectures on rabbit care, his number is 01452 520056

maybe give hima call and find out his opinions before you make bun travel of course, alsosearch threads on staph infections? i dont know much about it but i would pm jacks jane as she is very knowledgable on rabbit illness.

you could also contact frances harquet brown (sp?) 01423 508945
who is reknowned for ehr expertise in rabbit care and prehaps christobel 0208 898 0528 in twickenham as well as a telephone consultant.x

Loking on google there sems to be a lot of studies on lab rabbits regarding Staphylococcus Aureus if you can bring yoruself to read these maybe they would help i find them quite complex myself. and cannot fully understand all the medical jargon though. x

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Thanyou so much for your help I am going to try some of the numbers you have said x

rachylou said:

I agree with Bunlover, Bunnylover and I would not be opting to put to sleep yet.
He is not an old bun and could still have many years ahead of him, it would be such a shame to loose him to a stubburn ear infection.
I would be getting lots more opinions from different vets to see what the majority vote is.
He sounds like a little fighter! He will tell you if and when he has given up and want to sleep, but till then he needs you to keep fighting for him.

Thinking of you both.

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Thankyou for your reply I am going to call some more vets.x

bunnylover2010 said:

I will asked about higher pain relife he is on 10 drops of metacam.

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I had a dental bun with severe dental issues causing high pain and my vet said the highest dose of Metacam he could possibly be on was 23 drops a day, so maybe his Metacam could be increased. I could always tell when my bun was in pain as he wouldn't eat his pellets.

How is he now? Have you got anywhere with the 2nd opinions?

Can't really give any more advice then what has already been said, but just wanted to say I hope you find a great vet that can help your bun. It is way too early to pts.

How has been doing this afternoon/evening? xxxxx

Foofy said:

I had a dental bun with severe dental issues causing high pain and my vet said the highest dose of Metacam he could possibly be on was 23 drops a day, so maybe his Metacam could be increased. I could always tell when my bun was in pain as he wouldn't eat his pellets.

How is he now? Have you got anywhere with the 2nd opinions?

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Hi I poped into my vets today to pick up some more metacam I asked the nurse behind the desk about increasing it and she said that 10 drops was already alot for a rabbit first thing tomorrow I will phone the numbers from above and seek more advice I will also phone to talk to my vet about increasing the metacam,I dont know how clued up the nurse is behind the desk.
As I write this he is running around and trying to eat my plant and has only been grinding his teeth now and then...So I am hoping he isnt in pain.

Bebopy said:

Can't really give any more advice then what has already been said, but just wanted to say I hope you find a great vet that can help your bun. It is way too early to pts.

How has been doing this afternoon/evening? xxxxx

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I have been watching him alot and he hasnt been grinding his teeth that much he has been eating and exploring... he is confusing me lots I hate that I dont know how to make him better and even though my vet has been trying I dont know if she has enough experience....She told me she hasnt seen a rabbit with this kind of infection before.

I would be inclined to seek a second opinion tbh.

bunnylover2010 said:

thankyou for your reply....My vet sent away swabs it come back that he has staphylococcus aureus.
My vet told me she hasnt had a rabbit with it before they wanted me to put him to sleep straight away which I refused.
I live in the Bristol area.
We have tried licence drugs then off licenced drugs....My vet now knows how important he is to me as we have spent alot of money and time in helping him.
My vet has been in touch with a vet at Langford and they have been giving her advice.
She feels we have tried enough and just to make him comfortable...we stopped all treatment two weeks ago
I will asked about higher pain relife he is on 10 drops of metacam.

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This is an exotic referral specialist centre so I am surprised that pts has been suggested unless Langford are in agreement? :? Are they? Perhaps your bun could be referred directly to Langford instead of just your vet talking to them, and you and your bunny go and see one of the specialists at Langford in person for a 2nd opinion? You will likely need your vet to make the referral though. I suggest Richard Saunders as he is the resident exotic vet there.
I'm sorry your bun is so poorly. x

prettylupin said:

This is an exotic referral specialist centre so I am surprised that pts has been suggested unless Langford are in agreement? :? Are they? Perhaps your bun could be referred directly to Langford instead of just your vet talking to them, and you and your bunny go and see one of the specialists at Langford in person for a 2nd opinion? You will likely need your vet to make the referral though. I suggest Richard Saunders as he is the resident exotic vet there.
I'm sorry your bun is so poorly. x

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I really dont know if Langford is in agreement....I will also phone them tomorrow and see if they can give me advice.
My vet just had a list from Langford of possible drugs aggressive treatment she said.
One other treatment my vet talked about was surgery to remove the ear canel but she strongly advised against this.

bunnylover2010 said:

I have been watching him alot and he hasnt been grinding his teeth that much he has been eating and exploring... he is confusing me lots I hate that I dont know how to make him better and even though my vet has been trying I dont know if she has enough experience....She told me she hasnt seen a rabbit with this kind of infection before.

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Keep us updated on your bun. What is his name? :wave:

bunnylover2010 said:

I really dont know if Langford is in agreement....I will also phone them tomorrow and see if they can give me advice.
My vet just had a list from Langford of possible drugs aggressive treatment she said.
One other treatment my vet talked about was surgery to remove the ear canel but she strongly advised against this.

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That sound pretty exteme!! :shock:
I would definatly take bun bun to the specialist personaly and make sure every aveune is exaughsted before even thinking about that kind of surgery and defiantly before even considering pts! :?

bunnylover2010 said:

I really dont know if Langford is in agreement....I will also phone them tomorrow and see if they can give me advice.
My vet just had a list from Langford of possible drugs aggressive treatment she said.
One other treatment my vet talked about was surgery to remove the ear canel but she strongly advised against this.

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This is called a lateral ear canal resection and ablation. It is a high risk operation and I would only want it done by a Rabbit Specialist-if at all.

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/navc/2006/SAE/617.pdf?LA=1


Ear infections in Rabbits are very painful and if opting for palliative care good analgesia is absolutely essential. Metacam alone, even at a high dose (0.6mg/kg/day) may not be enough. An opiate analgesic may also be necessary to establish pain control.

How has it been established that your Rabbit's infection is actually in the middle ear ? This can only be diagnosed by skull radiographs.................

Sadly with severe otitis media which is unresponsive to treatment then PTS is something that needs to be considered. Surgery, even with the most skilled surgeon, is not always appropriate. It would depend entirely on the individual Rabbit.

As others have suggested I would request a referral to Langford to have him actually seen and examined there.

Good luck xx

Bebopy said:

Keep us updated on your bun. What is his name? :wave:

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I will keep you updated....My rabbits name is Major
So far today he seems comfortable.

Jack's-Jane said:

This is called a lateral ear canal resection and ablation. It is a high risk operation and I would only want it done by a Rabbit Specialist-if at all.

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/navc/2006/SAE/617.pdf?LA=1


Ear infections in Rabbits are very painful and if opting for palliative care good analgesia is absolutely essential. Metacam alone, even at a high dose (0.6mg/kg/day) may not be enough. An opiate analgesic may also be necessary to establish pain control.

How has it been established that your Rabbit's infection is actually in the middle ear ? This can only be diagnosed by skull radiographs.................

Sadly with severe otitis media which is unresponsive to treatment then PTS is something that needs to be considered. Surgery, even with the most skilled surgeon, is not always appropriate. It would depend entirely on the individual Rabbit.

As others have suggested I would request a referral to Langford to have him actually seen and examined there.

Good luck xx

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Thanks for getting back to me

Any info I can get at the moment is a great help.
My Vet done a flush through on Major and said that he has no ear drum and that the infection was deep down she said she could not remove all of the pus....I asked her if it was in the middle ear and she said yes....I guessed she may have come to this conclusion because he has no eardrum left.

I have phoned the numbers given to me from above post's and I am waiting now to be called back.

I guess I just need to know if me and my Vets have done enough for him.x