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Anyone have a VERY specialist in ear abcesses?

P

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper
We have excellent rabbit vets but we are all struggling with Parsleys ear abcsess which has come back yet again. It now seems resistant to all usual abx (Baytril, Septrin, Marbocyl, Flagyl and despite using a combination of oral and topical abx and a cleaner fluid combined with the topical which is meant to help penetration nothing is shifting it this time.

Personally I am now rather scared that it will spread inside his skull - he has a half paralysed face and now his tear ducts are playing up as well. We want to go into the next consultation with more info on perhaps operations; who has had them done? Did they help? Is it very dangerous?

Our vet is a whizz with operations (especially the fiddly ones) but for some reason has not yet broached this option with us so I want to find out some background before broaching it myself.

Does Francis Harcourt Brown favour ops for ear abcsesses - anyone know?

PS Parsley is a lop.
 
I just took ours to boarding at Rabbit Residence and Caroline spotted one of our lops had ear abcesses, kicking myself that I didn't spot it. She has treated lots of them so might be worth giving her a call to see what she advises. We are going to start with cleaning and getting a culture done in order to select the appropriate meds but will consider surgery if it doesn't work. Our bun is 9.5 years old at least so we really want to avoid surgery if possible.
 
Has a swab been taken under sedation/GA? I think sensitivity testing from culture might give you a better idea as to which abx is going to be effective.

I have a feeling you are going to need something a bit stronger than the abx already tried perhaps a penicillin or tetracycline like engemycin, and possibly a combination?

Can your vet give Bristol Rabbit Clinic a call perhaps for further advice?
 
I think each case will be unique and how best to treat, whether to opt for surgery or not, would depend on the exact location and extent of the abscess.
Sometimes even surgical intervention is not curative and there is the risk of causing more problems if the facial nerves are further damaged by surgery. This can then lead to problems with eating and subsequent Dental issues, even in a previously 'non dental' Bun.

I agree with PL re the probability of a Penicillin, Tetracycline or maybe Zithromax
being a better choice of antibiotic. If he is already on abx then results from a swab for MC+S wont be reliable.

I hope the Vet can help xx
 
My Daisy was seen at Bristol Vet Clinic. Her severe ear infection was deemed inoperable. She was given high dose Baytril, Metronidiazole and metacam to "hold" the infection. It has given her 2.5 years and she has coped with the meds and her disability.
 
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