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Ear infection

Hey all

My 7 year old bunny Fifi has been to the vets a couple times this month to try and get her scabby ear diagnosed. She's fine in herself, not head shy, eating normally etc.

I've just been informed by the vets that the swab test has come back from the lab and it's a persistant strain of ear infection (I cant remember the name), the antibiotic to treat it can be toxic to rabbits and also it's likely that the infection will never be cleared but will be a long term maintenance thing.

She has to go in on Thursday for an ear flush under sedation and I've been told it will be around £300 for both ears.

I've been at this vets a number of years as they used to be on the Rabbit welfare association site as an approved rabbit veterinary practice, however, I've just come across reviews tonight saying that since the practise changed hands the prices have increased and have now seen that they're no longer listed on RWA - which is the sole reason I registered her with the practise and stopped using the one closest to home.

My questions are - has anyone got any experience re long term ear infections and especially with rabbits that are difficult to handle?

And can anyone let me know if this kind of cost sounds about right or is it worth me looking for another RWA approved vets? Its cost me £170 already so far this month for 2 consultations, ear mite spot on treatment, otodine ear cleansing solution and the lab swab.

I am obviously happy to pay what's needed to keep her healthy but with now finding out the vets isn't a rabbit savvy practise any longer I am concerned she could registered at a more suitable place.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
 
Hey all

My 7 year old bunny Fifi has been to the vets a couple times this month to try and get her scabby ear diagnosed. She's fine in herself, not head shy, eating normally etc.

I've just been informed by the vets that the swab test has come back from the lab and it's a persistant strain of ear infection (I cant remember the name), the antibiotic to treat it can be toxic to rabbits and also it's likely that the infection will never be cleared but will be a long term maintenance thing.

She has to go in on Thursday for an ear flush under sedation and I've been told it will be around £300 for both ears.

I've been at this vets a number of years as they used to be on the Rabbit welfare association site as an approved rabbit veterinary practice, however, I've just come across reviews tonight saying that since the practise changed hands the prices have increased and have now seen that they're no longer listed on RWA - which is the sole reason I registered her with the practise and stopped using the one closest to home.

My questions are - has anyone got any experience re long term ear infections and especially with rabbits that are difficult to handle?

And can anyone let me know if this kind of cost sounds about right or is it worth me looking for another RWA approved vets? Its cost me £170 already so far this month for 2 consultations, ear mite spot on treatment, otodine ear cleansing solution and the lab swab.

I am obviously happy to pay what's needed to keep her healthy but with now finding out the vets isn't a rabbit savvy practise any longer I am concerned she could registered at a more suitable place.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
dear miss_rossieannie,--wow-when prices sound outrages[stop]-make numerous phone calls to get an idea of what you are entering,,it could be what the procedure costs,however we must weigh the healthcare and cost,we donot want the bunz to suffer[needlessly]--an exotic dvm is worth the call and driving,the problem is worth taking care of quickly-but they must be a exotic dvm-or ??-never take a rabbit to a cat/dog dvm..they can have very different approaches and outcomes..- http://www.medirabbit.com this link is very good, you can even email your question.--sincerely james waller from the other kent-usa
 
Hey all

My 7 year old bunny Fifi has been to the vets a couple times this month to try and get her scabby ear diagnosed. She's fine in herself, not head shy, eating normally etc.

I've just been informed by the vets that the swab test has come back from the lab and it's a persistant strain of ear infection (I cant remember the name), the antibiotic to treat it can be toxic to rabbits and also it's likely that the infection will never be cleared but will be a long term maintenance thing.

She has to go in on Thursday for an ear flush under sedation and I've been told it will be around £300 for both ears.

I've been at this vets a number of years as they used to be on the Rabbit welfare association site as an approved rabbit veterinary practice, however, I've just come across reviews tonight saying that since the practise changed hands the prices have increased and have now seen that they're no longer listed on RWA - which is the sole reason I registered her with the practise and stopped using the one closest to home.

My questions are - has anyone got any experience re long term ear infections and especially with rabbits that are difficult to handle?

And can anyone let me know if this kind of cost sounds about right or is it worth me looking for another RWA approved vets? Its cost me £170 already so far this month for 2 consultations, ear mite spot on treatment, otodine ear cleansing solution and the lab swab.

I am obviously happy to pay what's needed to keep her healthy but with now finding out the vets isn't a rabbit savvy practise any longer I am concerned she could registered at a more suitable place.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

Hello

I had a Rabbit who had chronic ear disease which was managed with long term antibiotics and anti-inflammatory analgesia. I expect the antibiotic your Vet was referring to was Depocillin, a Penicillin type abx. This is only toxic to Rabbits if given orally. Given by subcutaneous injection it rarely causes any adverse side affects. But as with any drug, there may be the occasional case where an adverse reaction occurs.

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Penicillin.htm

*WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES ON THIS THREAD*

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Antibiotics/Safe_antibiotics.htm


My Rabbit's ear infection was managed with injectable Depocillin and sometimes other antibiotics were also given orally. He also had topical ear treatments (ear drops). Thankfully he was a Rabbit who did not mind being handled at all and always took all his medication well. Things may have been very different if he was a Bunny who became very stressed when handled as he was on daily treatment for the last 4-5 years of his life.I would have needed to consider his quality of life if he never became accustomed to being picked up several times a day every day for years.

Ear canal flushes were also something my Rabbit needed over the 4-5 years of his long term ear problems, he had about 4 in total. All done under GA of course. I cant remember the exact cost and it was several years ago. It is very important that the precise extent of the infection is established BEFORE any attempts are made to flush out the ear canals. So diagnostics are required- Skull Xray/CT Scan

These links may be useful to read

https://www.veterinarywebinars.com/...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/ear-di...-interna/overview-of-otitis-media-and-interna

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/BacterialOtitisMediaInterna.htm

http://www.tokyovets.com/2017rabbitear3.pdf

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/me...bbit-surgery-course/2-eye-and-ear-surgery.pdf

If you are not feeling confident with your current Vet's 'Rabbit Saviness' then you could seek a second opinion elsewhere or ask to be referred to an Exotics Specialist Practice. If you let us know your approximate geographical location maybe some of us could suggest a Specialist Practice you could get to ?
 
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I don’t have any experience with bunnies with ear infections but I agree finding a rabbit savvy vet would be best. Sending lots of vibes for Fifi.
 
I don't have any experience of this either, but hopefully you can find a good rabbit savvy vet within your area, who can help with Fifi's ear problem. Good luck, and lots of vibes for your girl.
 
Hey thanks all for the advice.

Just a little update - on advice from an rwa approved vets decided to progress with the ear flush at current practice today. In fairness the actual vet treating her seems v knowledgeable, it's just the practice losing it's approval status which concerned me.

The bacterial infection she has is psuedomonas? Something along those lines which is v resistant to antibiotics and the 2 which can treat it aren't safe for rabbits due to presence of steroids too.

She had her ear flush today, and is now v unhappy unfortunately. I've managed to syringe feed her tonight's dose of the anti-inflammatory/painkillers she's been sent home with but she's still sat still, looking very sorry for herself 2hrs later with no interest in her food. I went to give her a snuggle and she ground her teeth at me, but I think it was more in a pain way rather than a happy way. The vets syringe fed her a meal whilst she was there so I'm hoping she'll eat her breakfast pellets in the morning once her ear has maybe stopped hurting her as much.

I'm not entirely sure what to do for the best in regards to helping her tonight as I obviously cant give her more painkiller. I'm just going to let her be and hopefully she'll settle down :(

If anyones buns have been through a painful ear flush I'd welcome any words of encouragement. I'm so worried about her and it's heartbreaking seeing her so unhappy.
 
Hey thanks all for the advice.

Just a little update - on advice from an rwa approved vets decided to progress with the ear flush at current practice today. In fairness the actual vet treating her seems v knowledgeable, it's just the practice losing it's approval status which concerned me.

The bacterial infection she has is psuedomonas? Something along those lines which is v resistant to antibiotics and the 2 which can treat it aren't safe for rabbits due to presence of steroids too.

She had her ear flush today, and is now v unhappy unfortunately. I've managed to syringe feed her tonight's dose of the anti-inflammatory/painkillers she's been sent home with but she's still sat still, looking very sorry for herself 2hrs later with no interest in her food. I went to give her a snuggle and she ground her teeth at me, but I think it was more in a pain way rather than a happy way. The vets syringe fed her a meal whilst she was there so I'm hoping she'll eat her breakfast pellets in the morning once her ear has maybe stopped hurting her as much.

I'm not entirely sure what to do for the best in regards to helping her tonight as I obviously cant give her more painkiller. I'm just going to let her be and hopefully she'll settle down :(

If anyones buns have been through a painful ear flush I'd welcome any words of encouragement. I'm so worried about her and it's heartbreaking seeing her so unhappy.

It may be that it was the after effects of the GA that were making her feel miserable last night and I hope that she is brighter this morning. There are additional analgesics that can be prescribed along side Metacam so if you think she is still in pain then you could ask the Vet about this.

Has she poo'd overnight ? If not I'd certainly call the Vet as some prokinetics (gut motility meds) may be needed.

Sending more vibes for her x
 
Thanks - just woke to check on her and she was still sat in the same place in her litter box and hasn't touched her food or parsley I offered her last night. I've given her a bit of a fuss/check over and her ears aren't overly hot or cold.
That seemed to wake her up a bit and she's hopped round the room a couple of times and put herself to bed - she sniffed her food but hasn't eaten. She seems to have had a wee overnight but I'm not sure if she's passed any droppings as I hadn't had chance to change out the litter before she settled in there last night.
I'll ring the vets this morning, I'm wary of stressing her out further but as you say she may need a gut stimulant today to keep everything moving :/
She wasn't prescribed metacam, it's meloxaid they've sent her home with - I'm wondering if they could've underestimated how sore the ear could be post-flush? But obviously I'm not a vet.
 
Thanks - just woke to check on her and she was still sat in the same place in her litter box and hasn't touched her food or parsley I offered her last night. I've given her a bit of a fuss/check over and her ears aren't overly hot or cold.
That seemed to wake her up a bit and she's hopped round the room a couple of times and put herself to bed - she sniffed her food but hasn't eaten. She seems to have had a wee overnight but I'm not sure if she's passed any droppings as I hadn't had chance to change out the litter before she settled in there last night.
I'll ring the vets this morning, I'm wary of stressing her out further but as you say she may need a gut stimulant today to keep everything moving :/
She wasn't prescribed metacam, it's meloxaid they've sent her home with - I'm wondering if they could've underestimated how sore the ear could be post-flush? But obviously I'm not a vet.

Meloxaid is exactly the same as Metacam, just a different brand name. They contain the same active ingredient- 'Meloxicam'. I hope you can get some further advice from the Vet this morning. Bunny may need syringe feeding if she is not eating anything for herself xx
 
Ah ok that makes sense thank you.
They gave her an injection to stimulate her gut, a painkiller injection and critical care.
She's not eaten, drank or used her litter tray at all since yesterday.
The trouble I'm now having is that while she'll take a syringe of meloxaid, a little water in a syringe and a little pineapple juice in a syringe she absolutely wont take the critical care.
Last night I got a tiny bit down her and a lot down her front which she's washed off which is something but today I've been struggling with her for ages and she just breaks free of me even when wrapped in a towel. I'm letting her rest a bit now because she jumped out of my arms earlier (sat on floor) and hit her nose on her carrier and its bleeding a tiny tiny bit and I feel like the worst owner ever 😭
Shes got another appointment booked for 4 at the vets which I got in case there was no improvement from yesterday but I'm worried that the additional stress of going to and from the vets is making her worse along with her ear which is now gunky from the ear flush.
Sorry for the long rant I'm just so stressed and upset and feel pretty helpless.
 
Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your rabbit. It must be so stressful for you :(

In my experience very many rabbits don't like the tast of Critical Care/Recovery Food and will refuse it. It might be worth trying to mix a little organic baby food (vegetable or fruit) with some and try that or alternatively just whizz up some veg such as Kale with some fruit and some of her normal softened pellets and try that. Or perhaps rinse some strong-smelling herbs in water, crush them to release the smell and wave those in front of her face.

I hope that she improves during the day and that her vet visit goes well.
 
Thank you so much I'll try all of that.
Managed to get about 7mls in her just before with the help of my brother to hold her still, and by rubbing banana on the syringe tip so it's slightly less offensive, but I was instructed to feed her a sachet and a half which I'm no where near.
I keep putting parsley under her nose which she normally can't get enough of but she isn't interested.
Hopefully the vet visit won't stress her too much more 🙏🏻
 
Just got back from the vets - they gave subcutaneous fluid, another gut stimulant and metacam.

I'm having a slight panic though as I asked them to do her ear drops, critical care and meloxaid whilst she was there (not realising one of the injections was metacam) and they did so.

Is there a chance she could be overdosed? What would the signs be and how long would it take? They were both administered approx 2 hours ago.
 
Just got back from the vets - they gave subcutaneous fluid, another gut stimulant and metacam.

I'm having a slight panic though as I asked them to do her ear drops, critical care and meloxaid whilst she was there (not realising one of the injections was metacam) and they did so.

Is there a chance she could be overdosed? What would the signs be and how long would it take? They were both administered approx 2 hours ago.

So the Vet administered both oral meloxaid and subcutaneous metacam at the same time ???????

Do you you know the exact dose of each ?

At lesat she's had some fluid therapy which should help, but I really cant understand why a Vet would administer oral Meloxaid and SQ Metacam simultaneously :?

Can you call the Vet back now to clarify the situation ?
 
No the practise is shut now - I've rang the out of hours service, the first receptionist was too concerned that I might be trying to place fault somewhere and wouldn't give advice, the second has took the info and waiting for a vet to be free to call back.

Basically there was a vet and vet nurse in the room at the time, the nurse held fifi whilst the vet administered: metaclopramode, zantac 2ml (fluids i think) and it says 0.23 x metacam inj 0.5% on the invoice.
Then I'd said to save fifi stress later could they do the ear drops, syringe med and critical care whilst she was there and unhappy anyway if that makes sense. The nurse did all 3 for me. The oral prescribed dosage is 0.77ml meloxaid oral susp dog.

It's only when I've got home I've realised that one of the injections was metacam.

She still seems ok shes currently washing her face. Shes been sat sulking in a corner and her ears are a little warm but not worryingly so.

It's been about 2hrs 45mins now since the dosage.
 
Just got a call back from the emergency vet and they said she should be fine and they can tolerate a high dose 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I'm glad that the emergency vet phoned back to reassure you. Whilst the vet should not have given both the oral and injected Metacam, it is true that they can tolerate a high dose. I would observe her carefully overnight.
 
Thanks, this has been a whole nightmare of a week for us with one stress after another ☹
Just woke up after nodding off for a couple hours and she's not moved from her corner and seems to be tummy pressing a bit by her posture, so I think the stasis is causing her tummy aches. She's fairly relaxed / doesn't want to move if I pet her but if I pretend like I'm going to pick her up she will move and hop out of the way before returning to her position. So I'm taking from that that the extra metacam may have been processed ok by her?
Just hand fed her some hay and I think tomorrow morning I'll get her moving round the room as much as poss to try and maximise movement of any gas and keep her tummy moving.
 
I really hope that Fifi is doing a bit better this morning. Another reason why she may have been so reluctant to move after her ear canal flush is that the after effects may have left her feeling dizzy. So even when the GA wore off if she hoped about she may have felt dizzy and nauseous (even though Rabbits cannot vomit they may still feel sick if their 'balance system' is compromised in any way). Now she may associate moving about to cause her to feel dizzy. Maybe gentle encouragement to get her hopping about will build up her confidence as by now any residual dizziness ( caused by having her ears flushed out) should have settled.

Sending lots more vibes for her x
 
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