How long do ear infections take to clear?

Marbles was initially treated for head tilt/eye scanning etc with both antibiotics and panacur. When I took her back to the vet last Friday he said she had signs of an ear infection so she's having ear drops as well as oral antibiotics and the panacur. She's been on oral antibiotics (baytril) for 11 days and ear drops for 6 days and it's not really showing any signs of improvement. She only has mild head tilt and the eye scanning has stopped, but she's barely eating and is generally looking fed up still and also losing her balance.

My next vet appointment is booked for monday which will be 10 days after the ear drops were started but I'm just wondering if I should take her back before that seeing as she's not improving. Or whether it's normal to take this long to improve?

Ear infections can take weeks and weeks to resolve. Some never do and they become chronic. I would definitely take Marbles back to the Vet this week as a change of antibiotic is likely to be needed.

Jack's-Jane said:

Ear infections can take weeks and weeks to resolve. Some never do and they become chronic. I would definitely take Marbles back to the Vet this week as a change of antibiotic is likely to be needed.

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Thank you Jane. I'd heard that it can take ages so didn't know whether to wait it out but my gut instinct is that an alternative antibiotic might be needed. I'll phone them tomorrow, thank you.

Ear infections can be extremely stubborn and take a long time to clear up :evil: My bun Mimi had an inner ear infection that caused her to have a severe head tilt, nystagmus (eye scanning) and rolling for 6 weeks before she started to improve.

Vibes and good luck to you and your bun :wave:

Gemmapookie said:

Ear infections can be extremely stubborn and take a long time to clear up :evil: My bun Mimi had an inner ear infection that caused her to have a severe head tilt, nystagmus (eye scanning) and rolling for 6 weeks before she started to improve.

Vibes and good luck to you and your bun :wave:

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Thank you. Did you try lots of different treatments within that time or did you have to stick with one for a long time? I'm just wondering how long it's sensible to leave it before you decide that a particular treatment isn't working and try another.

I'm also worried as I'm going away for 4 days at the end of February and I just pray she will at least be stable by then otherwise I don't know what I'll do

We stuck with one antibiotic, Marbocyl, and Metacam which is an anti inflammatory and painkiller. I argued with my vet about changing antibiotics as she didn't seem to be improving head tilt wise, but he felt that after the first 2 weeks her symptoms were due to the damage the infection had done to her inner ear and that time would see her improve. It seems he was right as she did make a full recovery eventually.

In the meantime nursing them through it is very important. Make sure she can easily access her food and water, put them under her nose if necessary, and keep tempting her with her favorite foods. A gentle neck and back massage twice a day will help loosen the tight muscles in her neck and relieve any discomfort she's having in that area.

Is she having Metacam? If not it is very important to get her on it. I found Mimi felt so much better after a dose and would visibly brighten and eat. Definitely have a chat with your vet about that :wave:

It's so difficult to know what to do. I'll phone the vet tomorrow.

No she hasn't been on metacam at all and this is something I've wondered about. Marbles is very prone to stopping eating at the smallest amount of pain and can be very stubborn so I do think metacam may help with her appetite if nothing else. I will definitely ask. Thank you for your help.

katie88 said:

It's so difficult to know what to do. I'll phone the vet tomorrow.

No she hasn't been on metacam at all and this is something I've wondered about. Marbles is very prone to stopping eating at the smallest amount of pain and can be very stubborn so I do think metacam may help with her appetite if nothing else. I will definitely ask. Thank you for your help.

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It is a horrible situation to be in, especially when you don't feel like your vet is doing everything he should be. I hated having to pester my vet, I was in there most days (not even with Mimi!) he must've gotten sick of me! :lol: it was worth it on the end though

Gemmapookie said:

It is a horrible situation to be in, especially when you don't feel like your vet is doing everything he should be. I hated having to pester my vet, I was in there most days (not even with Mimi!) he must've gotten sick of me! :lol: it was worth it on the end though

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Exactly, assertiveness has never been my strong point so I find it really hard. I suppose there's no harm in asking. I do have the name of a rabbit specialisit if needed but it's a 45 min drive away and marbles hates travelling (I'd also have difficulties getting there with work but I'd find a way if needed). So I want to avoid that if possible but it's just hard to know what to do.