My 5 year old rabbit has been diagnosed with a urinary infection. She was initially prescribed baytril, which made no difference at all. She was then prescribed septrin, which initially cleared up the infection however it returned after about 10 days and this time septrin has been unable to clear it up. Can anyone recommend any other antibiotics which can be used to treat urinary infections? I want to be able to suggest some alternative treatments to the vet at my next appointment as I feel that at the minute they are just going for the common antibiotics. Thanks in advance for any help
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Antibiotics for urinary infection
- Thread starter helens
- Start date
MightyMax
Banned
Hi Helen
I'm sorry your rabbit seems to have an intractable urinary infection.
You don't mention how long the courses of Baytril and Septrin were? Did you stop the Septrin, and then after 10 days the infection returned? I mention this as it often takes quite a long course of antibiotics to clear up a urinary infection. I have known rabbits to be on antibiotics for several weeks at a time, when it's known that there is actually an infection present.
Has your vet taken a sample of the urine to send off to the lab? It may be there's some other cause, and also you may be able to get a better idea of exactly what antibiotic would hit the spot instead of randomly trying them. A urinalysis can be done with either a free flow sample or via cystocentesis. My specialist has done this both ways and found both to be equally reliable. A Cystocentesis is where a needle is placed into the bladder through the abdominal wall of to collect a sample, so you can see it's far more invasive than taking a free flow sample!
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00...div_TechniquesRabbit/Cystocentesis_Rabbit.htm
Has your vet suggested Metacam at all? It's an anti-inflammatory which will help her to feel more comfortable. You will also need to make sure her water intake is as good as possible - you could ask the vet about sub-q fluids. This will dilute the wee and make things less painful for her.
Sometimes cystitis can be caused by 'bladder sludge' and in that case you will have to discuss other treatments with your vet.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/generalities/Sludge.htm
I hope something in there helps you a little
jerseygirl
Warren Scout
If the septrin helped, I would do another, longer course of that.
Is she getting soiled fur or urine scald? If so, it might be an idea to get a sanitary shave done and maybe using a rabbit safe antibacterial wipe. I remember someone doing this with their rabbit who had a persistant UTI. When they started using wipes on the area, it really helped. They thought their rabbit might have been re-infecting herself.
Is she getting soiled fur or urine scald? If so, it might be an idea to get a sanitary shave done and maybe using a rabbit safe antibacterial wipe. I remember someone doing this with their rabbit who had a persistant UTI. When they started using wipes on the area, it really helped. They thought their rabbit might have been re-infecting herself.
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Has your Vet taken a urine sample from your Rabbit ? This may help identify the specific bacteria involved and which antibiotic(s) are most appropriate to prescribe. Both Baytril and Septrin/Sulphatrim are often very effective in treating UTIs but the course often needs to be longer than the usual 7 days. 14 days treatment or more may be necessary as sometimes the core of infection is deep within the bladder wall.
What are your Rabbits precise symptoms ? Is it that she is leaking wee ? If so has the Vet considered other possible causes such as a neurological issue or a build up of calcium deposit in the bladder leading to 'bladder sludge' ?
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Differentials/Incontinence.htm
You may have already seen these links but I'll post them again just incase
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Cystitis_Ele.htm
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Urolithiasis.htm
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/generalities/Sludge.htm
Thank you everyone for your replies. Flopsy was on baytril for two weeks with no success so was then swapped onto trimethroprim, which I'm told is septrin but under another name. At the same time, she was sedated and had X-rays and scans which showed she has a bladder stone. On the trimethroprim she improved massively. In the meantime, the vet consulted a specialist who prescribed potassium citrate along with the metacam and trimethroprim which she was already on. After a three week course of metacam and trimethroprim she improved massively so we stopped them but continued with the potassium citrate however after just a few days her symptoms started again so I restarted both the drugs. She has now had theee weeks on these drugs and there has been no improvement - maybe I just need to give it a little longer.
She has some urine scald - I have been cleaning her daily using just warm water then drying her and applying sudacrem. Can anyone recommend a cream which may be better?
Her symptoms are a thick urine but there is no blood within the urine. She is also weeing wherever she sits, having always been perfectly litter trained. I am changing the hay within the hutch twice daily to ensure she isn't sitting on wet hay for too long. Her appetite is good and she is lively.
I have read the links you posted for me - I think my biggest decision now is whether to persist with the medication or opt for surgery. It is a huge decision as she was very ill when spayed and I am scared that I will lose her if I go ahead with the surgery. She lives with her brother and he relies on her so much, the thought of losing her terrifies me.
She has some urine scald - I have been cleaning her daily using just warm water then drying her and applying sudacrem. Can anyone recommend a cream which may be better?
Her symptoms are a thick urine but there is no blood within the urine. She is also weeing wherever she sits, having always been perfectly litter trained. I am changing the hay within the hutch twice daily to ensure she isn't sitting on wet hay for too long. Her appetite is good and she is lively.
I have read the links you posted for me - I think my biggest decision now is whether to persist with the medication or opt for surgery. It is a huge decision as she was very ill when spayed and I am scared that I will lose her if I go ahead with the surgery. She lives with her brother and he relies on her so much, the thought of losing her terrifies me.
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
In my experience if bladder stones are noted then surgery is usually the best option. The stone will continue to cause problems if it remains insitu. I have had a few Rabbits who have had bladder surgery to remove stones and they all did really well. One Rabbit was 11 years old when she had her op'.
This link may be useful to read
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Mech_diseases/Urolithiasis.htm
I would speak with your Vet again as it would be better to get the surgery done before the problem gets worse. I understand your anxiety about the procedure. In what way was she 'very ill' when spayed ?
Last edited:
MightyMax
Banned
You're welcome and thank you for posting back
In my experience, a bladder stone is unlikely to resolve itself without surgery, so it's definitely something to think about.
I have a recommendation for a cream and I shall PM you the details ... It would be a good idea to shave the area as well, so that the urine doesn't get held to her skin and cause problems.
I am sorry that she doesn't do well with GAs. Can your vet run a blood profile first to see whether there are any underlying issues?
I have found these links very helpful:
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Mech_diseases/Urolithiasis.htm
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/calcium-and-rabbit-food
(obviously at some point you may need to address the issue of calcium etc ...)
MightyMax
Banned
Helens I wondered what had happened to you
I hope all goes well on Friday. I'm sure you've made the right decision for Flopsy
