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Choices? Antibiotics or GI Stasis?

Sandi-C

Young Bun
Please can anyone advise me on which treatment is best for snuffles, meaning antibiotics specifically?
Scampy has had 2 courses of different AB's, first was Marbocyl? and the second (sorry forget the name, it came in dissolved form and had to be kept in the fridge?).
I'll check tonight when I'm home.

Both times she went into GI Stasis. They obviously upset her gut. But now she's got discharge and sneezing again. This has been for about a week and getting worse.
I've started giving her Echinacea in her water since Monday, which she is enjoying. However, last night I noticed the tiny tiny poos again indicating a possible further stasis so I gave her Loxicom and Cisapride and I think we dodged a bullet, as this morning she was eating and pooping.
The vet says she most likely needs a GA for a nasal swab, however I lost my baby rabbit recently under GA so I'm not risking this while she has snuffles. I'm a surgical nurse so I know we wouldn't anaesthetise a human who had a possible chest or respiratory infection.

What do I do for the best?
Is there a standard AB that is low risk for causing GI Stasis?
The vet hasn't offered me Baytril yet? Should I ask for it?
Would sub-cut AB be less invasive for the gut?

Many thanks,
Sandra
 
I am sorry your rabbit has Snuffles, it isn't very nice for them. To get the appropriate abx a swab would have to be taken and I guess the reason the Vet hasn't offered Baytril is because it just isn't strong enough and has no effect usually on Snuffles. Do you ensure your rabbit's environment is as dust-free as possible with no smoke for her to breathe in. Is she kept on shavings as this can cause Snuffles? Also do you bring your rabbit in then return outside as in this cold weather that can cause upsets in the respiratory system. Stress is another factor which can cause Snuffles. I am glad you avoided another episode of Stasis :thumb: Are you confident that your Vet is experienced in rabbits, if not we can advise you of one if you start a new thread asking for a RSV in your area. Echinacea is good for strengthening the immune system. Hope you can sort something out which helps your bunny to remain Snuffles -free.
 
Thank you for responding Tonibun.
No she's not on shavings, she's currently indoors free roaming in my bedroom. (Husband now sleeping in the front room with the dog and cats!).
I was aware of the dust factor and the room is regularly hovered etc and there are no harsh cleaning products used.
I give her 4-5 different brands of quality hay which are all hopefully dust free as poss.
I do put her outside for a couple of hours if the sun is shining as she loves it, but I do notice she sneezes more when brought back in, however I think the fresh air is good for them and she binkys so much outside I know she loves it. She hasn't slept outside for months though.
Stress is minimum but of course having to rush her to the vets about 5 times in 2 months is not helping. Plus all the chasing her to catch her to give the antibiotics was stressful for both of us!
I rescued her from a dire petting farm and she has been grabbed by children and dropped since probably the minute she was born, so I like to handle her as little as possible.
I'm sure her genes aren't strong or good considering the environment she came from, and we lost her little partner already from there.
I can't spay her either until this all gets cleared up, as the GA is too risky.
We rescued another neutered male, so she is loved up and very happy with him, now of course I'm anxious he will catch it too?
Also, yes we have a great rabbit savvy vet at present. I've been to quite a few but I am now seeing an exotic pet specialist.
 
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When Doughnut had snuffles she was given baytril but it didn't work so I can't remember what she went on to. She is on zantac permanently as has acid reflux but this lines the stomach so maybe that would help to give to your rabbit before the antibiotic. Obviously speak to your vet first or a probiotic?
 
Thank you Cpayne, this sounds more sensible. I've tried to get an appointment for Sat but he's fully booked so I have asked for a phone call later to see if we can come up with a better plan than just AB's that will upset her tummy. I will mention this idea for sure. I intend to keep trying to boost her immunity and have ordered a heap of stuff Vit C etc. I have yet to find a good probiotic on line to buy.
Luckily I can spot the stasis coming a mile off now and am trying to keep it at bay.
However the sneezing and discharge I can't get rid of. It's clear discharge though, indicating it's not a full blown infection?
I would be miserable though with that sneeze so I'm guessing she is also. :(
 
I think some people have had pencillin injections, this may be better on the tummy. I think you need a swab though to identify the infection since it isn't going away. I know baytril you have to keep them on it for 10 days otherwise stopping after 6/7 doesn't always get rid of it properly. My exotic vet specialist also recommended Echinacea when she was under the weather. I gave it to her through the syringe though, if you put it in the water they don't get enough of it, that's what he told me and you want him to get the full dose.
 
Has your Vet ruled out dental problems being involved with the recurrent 'snuffles' and stasis episodes ? Dental problems involving elongated tooth roots can cause lots of sneezing/nasal discharge. Stasis can occur as a secondary condition due to stress/eating less hay and further exacerbated by dysbiosis that oral abx may cause. As you say that your Vet is Rabbit savvy I expect that this has already been looked into, but I thought that I should mention it just incase.

I am sorry that you recently lost a Rabbit under GA, I can understand your reluctance to put Scampy through any procedure that requires sedation at the moment. I hope that your Vet can find a solution to the recurrent problems. Sometimes using a nebuliser can help relieve nasal congestion.Abx can be given via a nebuliser. A mucolytic such as Bisolvon can be given to thin out the mucus, but from what you have posted it does not sound as though the secretions are thick/purulent but that they are watery ? A NSAID such as meloxicam can help reduce inflammation within the nasal passages which can reduce the sneezing.
 
Cpayne this very interesting, how did you measure the dose for the syringe please?
I've not been offered the injections as yet, not sure if it's an option but will ask the vet later when he calls me.
Many thanks.
 
Hi Jack's-Jane, thank you for getting back to me.
Yes he checks her teeth every time I've brought her in which is reassuring.
The discharge is so clear and thin at the moment, unless I was actively checking her nose and paws I would've missed it really. It's the sneezing that concerns me. She is breathing ok, not struggling. However she had a very bad chest infection which resulted in her first GI Stasis episode. They kept her in for treatment then, discharged home on AB's and then when those first stopped (Marbocyl) the cold/flu symptoms returned. If I leave this sneezing I'm worried she will eventually suffer a further chest infection and then we are going round in circles. Poor little girl hasn't had a break since January. It's heartbreaking to see.
 
Cpayne this very interesting, how did you measure the dose for the syringe please?
I've not been offered the injections as yet, not sure if it's an option but will ask the vet later when he calls me.
Many thanks.
I can't remember what the dose was I know it was a lot though about a full ml syringe. I'll have to read through my very long saga of Doughnut's progress as it's in there somewhere. If he won't take it from the syringe you can try putting it on his food or if he likes the taste just put it in a bowl for him to lap up. Here's the link it's in, she had so many medicines. I will try and find the dosage though for her. She's 1.2kg to compare to your bunny.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?371470-Doughnut-s-progress-688-6-months-on-)&highlight=sneezing
 
Cpayne thank you so much for all your help. Much appreciated.
My Scampy is only 8 months old and is under 2kg.
One last Echinacea question...did you squirt the 1 ml directly into your girl or dilute it with water?
 
No just syringed the full syringe into her. I was told not to dilute it. Scampy is larger than Doughnut so 1ml should be fine. Hope it gives him a boost and you get the infection under control.
 
That's a great help! I'll let you know how good (or bad) she is at letting me!
I got the Nature's Answer one because it's alcohol free but it comes with Goldenseal, which is another good herb I believe.
I also read about putting Apple Cider Vinegar in their water to help them with infections etc.
I'm a nurse so I'm aware she needs medical intervention too, but I'm trying my best to make her immunity stronger.
She's cost me more at the vets this year than my dog, 2 cats and the other rabbit have in total, so gotta try something :p
 
I know the feeling I spent about £2,000 trying to find out what was wrong with Doughnut in about 4 months, she only cost me £30.

I don't know about the vinegar. Well the Echinacea certainly won't harm him so worth trying. I think the probiotic I got was Avipro and again my specialist told me to put it on food or let her lap it up as in the water it's diluted again and don't get a lot. I don't think Doughnut really liked the Echinacea if I remember rightly but she liked the Avipro!

Yes keep us all updated on how you get on. Seems like he needs an antibiotic specifically for that infection if it is an infection.
 
Hi CPayne. Just to update you that we actually didn't restart any antibiotics as her discharge is clear we think she has allergies rather than infection. Sometimes she will sneeze constantly for an hour or two and other times not at all. As she is free roaming in my bedroom I think something in there is irritating her. I have ordered a shed from Boyles and she will move outside once that arrives in a few months time, just in time for the nicer weather.
Also I was chatting to a different vet when I was in his shop buying dog food and he actually recommended giving her some Piriton for the sneezing. I never even thought of that! So I will, but she hasn't needed it yet. Next flare up she has I will try it, although I am aware it can cause drowsiness.
She has been taking her Echinacea and Vit C tablets and fingers crossed her immunity is improving.
Thank you again for all your help and advice :lol:
 
My bun is on abx for an abscess. I give him a powdered probiotic twice a day, at least 2 hours before or after the abx. Abx kills off all bacteria - good and bad - and the probiotic replenishes the good. So far, his GI system is working normally. He's been on the med for six days, four more to go.
 
My bun is on abx for an abscess. I give him a powdered probiotic twice a day, at least 2 hours before or after the abx. Abx kills off all bacteria - good and bad - and the probiotic replenishes the good. So far, his GI system is working normally. He's been on the med for six days, four more to go.

Thank you for the advice SG...which powdered probiotic did you give please? Is it easy to find on line?
 
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