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Please help

Bellatrix15 said:
Bellatrix's abscesses are growing again!! I really didn't need this!

I've been reading this thread back to see what helped last time and it doesn't seem like I really gave the injectable penicillin a chance to work. And I don't believe the baytril was appropriate. The only thing I kept up consistently was the metacam. What do you guys think about me buying some online and giving it to her myself daily to see if it makes any difference to keep vet costs down!?
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You need to take her to a vet :( plus you'd need a prescription for painkillers/anti inflammatories anyway, but I doubt they'll get rid of an abscess..
 
Graciee said:
You need to take her to a vet :( plus you'd need a prescription for painkillers/anti inflammatories anyway, but I doubt they'll get rid of an abscess..
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Yes, it is illegal to buy (without a prescription)/administer Prescription Only medication to an animal unless suitably qualified to do so. My advice would be to get Bellatrix seen by a Rabbit Savvy Vet again ASAP.
 
Bellatrix15 said:
It just seemed weird that last time I didn't do the penicillin properly and I didn't keep up with the baytril so I wondered if the anti-inflamatory of the metacam may have made the difference...
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The anti-inflammatory would be helpful but wouldn't deal with the infection, only antibiotics can do that. Abscesses are life threatening and so need prompt veterinary attention.

It's an extreme example but my most recent experience of an abscess: Morning of 3 December - Dusty lively young rabbit appearing to be perfectly normal, doing the 'pellet dance' eating, drinking, pooing well etc. 10 pm that evening Dusty unwell but hard to describe, unco-ordinated, seemed a little spaced out but still jumping onto shelf and doing pellet dance however not eating pellets when given. On closer examination she didn't seem to be able to eat. OOH vet talked me out of taking her in (made appointment for 8.30 am the next day) and recommended syringe feeding. 6.00 am the following day Dusty still with us but breathing rapidly. 8.00 am - Dusty dead. PM revealed she had an abscess .. histology showed she died of sepsis caused by the abscess -less then 12 hours from when I first noticed anything wrong. I know not all abscesses can lead to sepsis but I'd want antibiotics of some sort ASAP.
 
The Metacam would not have dealt with the infection last time by itself, but would have reduced any inflammation. The abscesses last time have seemingly responded to the quantity of Penicillin and Baytril that she was given.

I really advise you to take Bellatrix to the vet asap. Penicillin is a very inexpensive drug, but she will need Metacam as well as the abscess will be painful. She will need the abx to give her a chance of recovery.

It is such a shame that this has happened at this time. Sending hugs to you.
 
Thanks everyone. I wasn't so much avoiding taking her to the vets as I was desperately trying to avoid that this could be very serious :(

I am ringing the vets first thing in the morning for their next appointment.
 
Omi said:
The Metacam would not have dealt with the infection last time by itself, but would have reduced any inflammation. The abscesses last time have seemingly responded to the quantity of Penicillin and Baytril that she was given.

I really advise you to take Bellatrix to the vet asap. Penicillin is a very inexpensive drug, but she will need Metacam as well as the abscess will be painful. She will need the abx to give her a chance of recovery.

It is such a shame that this has happened at this time. Sending hugs to you.
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What is abx?
 
I'm going to the vets with her at 9.40. Worried sick. I think my idea going in is going to be trying her on penicillin injections again and metacam. I don't think I will bother with the baytril as I really don't think it did anything (someone said it doesn't really penetrate the abscess wall or something) and she hated the taste so much it put her off the metacam. Anything else I should be thinking about going in?
 
Been to the vets.

I went to Abbey House in Morley, Leeds as I supposed they would be better than the vets 4 pets I've been going to for routine stuff and vaccinations. The vet was absolutely lovely but pretty clueless on rabbits. She didn't want to give Bellatrix injectable penicillin at all before I persuaded her! I think I got what I needed though but wanted to run it through with you guys.

So I asked her to look at her back teeth and she said it didn't look great, red and sore and possible lesions on the side where she has the abscesses.

I am going to start with the penicillin. This will be for 2 weeks, Depocillin 0.64 mls once a day. Does this sound right? Is 2 weeks for the injections too long?

For the metacam- 1.6ml once a day for 2 weeks. Again, does this sound right? Would it be better to give a half dose every 12 hours?

After the 2 weeks I will then go to see Trudi Pardoe at a different branch who specialises in rabbits to discuss further options and discuss how she has done after the 2 weeks of penicillin.

Feeling very scared and so worried about her. Does all of this sound ok to you? Thank you so much yet again x
 
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I'm honestly clueless about doses but I do like to give Metacam twice daily. I'm so pleased she has been seen by a vet & Trudi will be excellent to review her. Lots of vibes for your girl & her worried mum xx
 
I don't know about the dosages but I can say that I don't think two weeks is too long for the penicillin injections. I had a bun who suffered with ear abscesses and I had to give him the daily penicillin injections for weeks and weeks on end. Hopefully when you speak with Trudi in a couple of weeks time she'll be able to give you a better idea of how long you will need to do them for.

Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk
 
I can't say about the actual dosages, but certainly daily Penicillin for 2 weeks is not too long. Regarding the Metacam, I'm aware that lots of people favour giving it in divided doses and I can absolutely understand the rationale for this, but my vet has never suggested this and I have always given it just once a day. I think if I were you, I would be querying it if Bellatrix was showing signs of being in pain and if the daily pain relief wasn't lasting the 24 hours.

It sounds a very good plan to continue for the 2 weeks and then to go back to see the specialist.

Sending lots more vibes for her and also for you giving the injections. I hope they go well.
 
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