Please Note - Medical Advice
Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.
You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.
We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.
Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.
Jane - it's not the syringe, he's happy to take marbocyl, and he took his metacam tonight quite happily, I think it must be the timing a lot of the time. He really wanted syringe feed tonight even though he was also eating well but he felt very skinny so I obliged and he guzzled it down eating greens in between as I refilled His eating is so much better but I think he possibly isn't quite comfortable enough to chew as much as he needs to consume. I'm happy to listen to his needs each day, it was cold today so he maybe needed more than he could chew himself.
Caecals are definitely formed, not runny or anything, trying to sneak fibreplex in where I can but it's nowhere near the dose it ought to be for him. But he won't be getting a/bs by mouth probably past tomorrow if then, we're just using up what's left in the bottle. So hopefully the injections won't have the same effect?
It's a relief to be able to just say good morning and let them out tomorrow morning, and not have to interfere with him first thing.
Whilst Penicillin injections are generally well tolerated in Rabbits they are still considered a ‘high risk’ abx and they are prescribed ‘off licence’ This should be explained to the client before they are prescribed. Whilst rare, penicillin injections can cause enteritis/ enteroxaemia.As well as noting the condition of any cecal poo he leaves it is equally important to keep an eye on the FECAL poo. That is what I was referring to in my previous post, if the FECAL poo becomes wet, unformed, has dark fluid and/ or mucous in it speak with the Vet ASAP and BEFORE giving any more injections. Same if his appetite drops right off again or you notice lots of sounds from his abdomen that is similar to water sloshing about in a hot water bottle.
Over the last 25 years I have cared for numerous Rabbits who were prescribed Penicillin Injections, some were on them for several months. Only 2 had an adverse reaction, one an allergic reaction, the other enteritis. Fortunately both survived. So I would never refuse the option of penicillin injections for a Rabbit when prescribed by a Rabbit Savvy Vet. My wonderful Inspector Morse had numerous courses of Penicillin Injections in his life, he had no problems with them at all and they kept his chronic ear infection under control
I understand, I was tired yesterday and misread what you'd written - I will keep a very close eye on him. I am very lucky that whilst my vets aren't specialists (there aren't any that are accessible enough for this frequency) they consult with Jenna at the Royal **** and follow her advice, so I am basically getting access to a specialist via them, and it is her who is dictating the treatment course.
That’s great. Hope Odin is doing OK today