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Co-trimoxazole antibiotics for rabbits?

pyates

Young Bun
My Oscar developed an abscess on the end of his nose. The vet drained the puss and prescribed a course of baytril. At the same time he took a swab of the puss for a culture test. After 5 days the test results came back and suggested that baytril was likely to be ineffective. So he was started on co-trimoxazole. The vet mentioned that its not licensed for rabbits but that it should be ok. He's been on it for 3 days now and he seems to be less well than when he started. He's a bit subdued and his hay intake is well down although he is still eating everything else. Droppings seem to be very up and down in quantity. I don't know if thats because the infection has spread after 5 days on ineffective baytril, or if the co-trimoxazole has only been going for 3 days and not kicked in yet, or if the co-trimoxazole is causing an adverse reaction or side-effects. I have an appointment booked for a check up on Tuesday morning, which will be 5 days after starting on the co-trimoxazole. Any thoughts, or anybody else been prescribed this drug?
 
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I've been googling this drug and it has several equivalents, all with very long names, but short story is there is a low risk of serious side effects, similar on scale to baytril. Which makes me think its not long enough to have an effect yet. Is 3 days too short for antibiotics to start to work in rabbits? The vet asked for a check up in 4 to 5 days which makes me think they expect an impact by then.
By the way, this is evil stuff - thick, white with a tinge of pink, and very pungent. As a single person there is no chance of mixing with food, so syringe is a must. Luckily my Oscar is really chilled and it's possible but still not easy.
 
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Thanks both. Good shout IM. After a few days on baytril with no improvement the vet said to give a low dose of loxicom. After starting the co-trimoxazole I started to withdraw it gradually but I will start again tonight. Thank you.
 
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Thanks both. Good shout IM. After a few days on baytril with no improvement the vet said to give a low dose of loxicom. After starting the co-trimoxazole I started to withdraw it gradually but I will start again tonight. Thank you.

Hope it helps :)
 
Sending vibes.
I used sulfatrim in the past and it worked well.
How is eating, drinking,pee?
 
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Sending vibes.
I used sulfatrim in the past and it worked well.
How is eating, drinking,pee?

He seems a bit better in himself. He ate quite a bit of grass outside yesterday evening. He did eat some hay overnight but not as much as usual, but did produce a lot of droppings as well. He's never been a big drinker but certainly peeing ok. I gave him Loxicom last night and more this morning, I'm hopeful the antibiotics are starting to have an effect now (nearly 4 days...).
 
He seems a bit better in himself. He ate quite a bit of grass outside yesterday evening. He did eat some hay overnight but not as much as usual, but did produce a lot of droppings as well. He's never been a big drinker but certainly peeing ok. I gave him Loxicom last night and more this morning, I'm hopeful the antibiotics are starting to have an effect now (nearly 4 days...).

How does the abscess look ? If it has closed over it is important to make sure there is no pus under the scab
 
How does the abscess look ? If it has closed over it is important to make sure there is no pus under the scab

I don't think its closed over properly yet, but don't want to be invasive myself. I think the vet will check that out when he goes in tomorrow for check-up.
 
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