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Respitory Infection

Amy104

Warren Veteran
The two new buns have been sneezing since day one. They were seen imediately by my vet who advised it was very low key and he wanted to hold off antibitics to see if they'd fight it off and build up an immunity. Of course go straight back if they got worse or went off food etc. After a week or so the sneezing had reduced dramatically. However three weeks on it still hasn't gone completely. I trust my vet, it took me a long time to find one I was happy with, but should I inist on some antibiotics?
 
no expert as you well know, but didnt want to read and run.

Ginger developed sneezing and a runny nose so went to the vet today who says its not on her chest but has given me Baytril to give her.

Hope your new buns get better soon Amy! Im sure your vet wouldn't take offense if you maybe 'asked' for some abx? would that be a possibility?
 
I left a message for him to ring me back. I trust he knows what he's doing but I was thinking a week or so of antibiotics might get rid of it once and for all. The sooner the better really so I can get them vaccinated as I hate not having them done.
 
The two new buns have been sneezing since day one. They were seen imediately by my vet who advised it was very low key and he wanted to hold off antibitics to see if they'd fight it off and build up an immunity. Of course go straight back if they got worse or went off food etc. After a week or so the sneezing had reduced dramatically. However three weeks on it still hasn't gone completely. I trust my vet, it took me a long time to find one I was happy with, but should I inist on some antibiotics?

Because of the importance of the nasal passages and keeping these clear and inflammation and swelling to a minimum in rabbits being obligate nose breathers I too would insist on nipping any infection in the bud personally. Baytril is tricky as you know, mild upper RTI's respond to it but there is always the risk, and some exotic vets believe I understand, that its use allows for certain pathogens to become resistant and lay in wait for their opportunity to colonise at a later stage. Maybe i'm a bit OTT, and generally I only like to medicate as and when necessary, but if bun has a definite upper RTI I would want to hit it quickly with NSAID's and baytril to begin with, maybe even nebulise or use bisolovon if necessary... and take it from there. If it comes back I'd want something stronger or a much longer course.
 
Thank you. I think my vet agrees with the resistance theory which is why he's being cautious. I'll talk to him again.
 
Thank you. I think my vet agrees with the resistance theory which is why he's being cautious. I'll talk to him again.

Difficult isn't it. If you trust his professional judgement then go with that, he knows more than I! I think talk to him again and explain your concerns and come up with a definite plan that you are happy with. :)
 
If they were vaccinated I'd probably be more comfortable to hang it out a bit longer, but I'm so impatient to get them done as it is freaking me out knowing they aren't protected.
 
Has your vet advised against vaccination at the moment? It's just that if they're bad enough not to risk vaccinating, then they're probably bad enough to need antibiotics.

My vet doesn't tend to use baytril for RTIs, and to be honest baytril is more likely to mask the symptoms rather than cure the problem.

Obv. if your vet doesn't want to give antibiotics then I guess you have to go along with it if you trust them...none of us can really make a judgment unless we've seen the rabbits

Good luck, and I hope the sneezing turns out to be nothing.
 
Yes, he didn't want to vacinate. He thought they'd be ok but wanted to ere on the side of caution. Both bunnies are super lively, eat like horses and apart from the odd sneeze you wouldn't know there was a prob. One has a damp nose but no mucus or anything like that. I have another bunny with allergies and when he's suffering you really know about it, but these too are nothing like this.
 
Just to update I spoke to the vet again and after looking them over he decided he was happy to vaccinate as there was a definate improvement. And they are both no longer sneezing at all so looks like their immune system did its job.

Unfortunately I now have Bluebell on meds as his ongoing respitory prob is playing up - I think I am doomed to be plaqued by sneezy bunnies. :(
 
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