Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
...without it causing damage to their gut flora etc.? Does anyone know?
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How long can a rabbit be on antibiotics
- Thread starter Oompa-Loompa
- Start date
Santa
Wise Old Thumper
There's not really a hard and fast answer. It depends on the antibiotic, how it is administered (e.g. oral or injected) on the nature of the problem, on the tolerance of the individual rabbit etc. It's all a balance between what problem is trying to be solved and what might be created. Personally I've had buns on antibiotics for months before now without any gut problems, but others have had gut problems quite quickly - but even then, that might only mean try a different antibiotic rather than stop it completely.
No straightforward answer, sorry!
No straightforward answer, sorry!
If you are concerned about this, you could consider giving him a course of probiotics (eg Bio Lapis). These are available without prescription here but can be a bit pricey.
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Depends on what antibiotic, what route of administration, how each individual Rabbit tolerates treatment.........- so many possible variables so a definitive answer to your question is not really possible.
I have had Rabbits on abx treatment for months to no ill effect as far as their GI tract was concerned.
I have had Rabbits on abx treatment for months to no ill effect as far as their GI tract was concerned.
Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
Thanks for replying 
I'm not worried about tummy upsets right now because he's been on Bactrim twice and now Baytril and his stomach is just fine. No weird poops or anything! I'm just wondering because he's had 3 10 day courses so far (counting this one which is Baytril) and every time there HAS been improvement, but as soon as he stops having the abx he gets all poorly again (respiratory issues, probably pasteurella according to my vet). So I'm basically wondering if maybe 10 days just isn't enough? :? It's a very complex and stressful situation to be in, not just for me but for him as well
I have been thinking about getting him some sort of probiotic, they had some on The Hay Experts, it was quite pricey yes but he has to be on abx for much longer I probably will get some anyway. Better to be safe than sorry..
I'm not worried about tummy upsets right now because he's been on Bactrim twice and now Baytril and his stomach is just fine. No weird poops or anything!
I'm just wondering because he's had 3 10 day courses so far (counting this one which is Baytril) and every time there HAS been improvement, but as soon as he stops having the abx he gets all poorly again (respiratory issues, probably pasteurella according to my vet). So I'm basically wondering if maybe 10 days just isn't enough? :? It's a very complex and stressful situation to be in, not just for me but for him as well I have been thinking about getting him some sort of probiotic, they had some on The Hay Experts, it was quite pricey yes but he has to be on abx for much longer I probably will get some anyway. Better to be safe than sorry..
parsnipbun
Wise Old Thumper
parsleys been on baytril for as long as I can remember (with breaks to swap it for other abx which havnt worked0. Must be a year or ore now . . .
vet says that she does worry he will be resistant to it . . but at present it is still 'holding' his dreadful ear/brain infection
vet says that she does worry he will be resistant to it . . but at present it is still 'holding' his dreadful ear/brain infection
Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
Really? That's very interesting. I'm worried that my Boris will have to be on abx for the rest of his life or something, it seems to be the only thing that keeps his cough at bay If he stops having them, the cough returns. That's the pattern I'm seeing right now but like I said, he's only had 10 day courses so far. Maybe a longer course would sort the problem out but my vet seems reluctant :? I don't know what to do to be honest. This is a nightmare
If he stops having them, the cough returns. That's the pattern I'm seeing right now but like I said, he's only had 10 day courses so far. Maybe a longer course would sort the problem out but my vet seems reluctant :? I don't know what to do to be honest. This is a nightmare parsnipbun
Wise Old Thumper
10 days is just a short course . . and if you keep having breaks inbetween it gives the cough time to build up resistance and get bad again ..
Oompa-Loompa
Warren Veteran
Yeah, that's what I've been thinking as well I'll talk to my vet about putting him on a longer course, maybe a month or something. On what type I don't know, the Baytril hasn't done much good so far to be honest There's only a slight improvement and he's had it for 6 days now
I'll talk to my vet about putting him on a longer course, maybe a month or something. On what type I don't know, the Baytril hasn't done much good so far to be honest There's only a slight improvement and he's had it for 6 days now Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
It sounds as though resistance to enrofloxacin (Baytril) is very likely now
I would ask the Vet about changing to another antibiotic and prescribing a long course.
Depocillin *INJECTIONS* may be something your Vet would consider, but if Vet is not Rabbit savvy he/she may be nervous of prescribing off licence. In which case you may need to consider requesting a referral to a specialist.
These links may be useful to read
http://www.vetbase.co.uk/information/respiratory-disease-rabbit.php
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Bacterial/URI.pdf
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pasteurellosis_lagomorphs.htm
I would ask the Vet about changing to another antibiotic and prescribing a long course.
Depocillin *INJECTIONS* may be something your Vet would consider, but if Vet is not Rabbit savvy he/she may be nervous of prescribing off licence. In which case you may need to consider requesting a referral to a specialist.
These links may be useful to read
http://www.vetbase.co.uk/information/respiratory-disease-rabbit.php
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Bacterial/URI.pdf
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pasteurellosis_lagomorphs.htm
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