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Snoopy has an ear infection/ really bad update :(

I took Snoopy to the vet this evening as he seems to be having issues with his left ear. He's been scratching it a fair bit and holding his head slightly to the left. He also appeared to have lost weight.

The vet confirmed there is some discharge in the ear and he has lost weight. He's not underweight yet but is towards the lower end of his ideal weight range.

He's been put on a 5 day course of baytril. If no improvement they recommended taking him to the specialists at the RVC. From previous experience, I really doubt the baytril will get on top of it so I'm expecting we'll be making a trip to Camden soon.

One thing I forgot to ask is whether he'll also need pain relief. They're closed now so I've left a message asking for the vet to get back to me on that.

This is bringing back painful memories as I lost Peanut Butter to ear abscesses 😔

Any spare vibes for Snoopy would be really appreciated.
 
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Oh poor Snoopy, really hope the baytril does the job and he's feeling better soon. Lots of vibes for your boy xxx
 
Please don't think badly, they're two different rabbits and not every disease ends up the same. And thanks to your previous experience you have now noticed Snoopy's symptoms early. Besides, now you know very well how to deal with this situation and what to do. I think Snoopy will be fine, please think positive. I'm sending too many vibrations for Snoopy xxxxxxx
 
So many vibes for Snoopy. Mouse had an ear infection once that was cleared by a short course of oral antibiotics I had no hope of working. Is he eating & pooping ok?
 
Thanks so much everyone, we really appreciate it.

KCG, you're right, it is a case of two different rabbits. Peanut Butter had abscesses in both ears, which is notoriously difficult to treat. I don't think that's the case with Snoopy. To be honest I initially thought Snoopy just had a stubborn bit of ear wax he couldn't get out. But the fact he's started to have a head tilt made me think there was something else going on.

J&B, his eating habits don't appear to have changed drastically, at least not enough for me to be concerned. Plus his poops seem ok too. But he has clearly dropped some weight so his input must have started to go down. I think I might giving him some CC top ups. I don't know how long this will take to resolve and I don't want him to go underweight.

I've never had much faith in baytril so I'm pleased that it worked for Mousey. That has given me a glimmer of hope!
 
i'm glad he is at least eating reasonably well. metacam sounds like a great idea. Let us know how he gets on x
 
I had multiple bunnies with ear infections/head tilt. Baytril addressed most, yet Gemini required sulfatrim and later bicillim when infection returned.
Sending vibes for snoopy.
 
I had multiple bunnies with ear infections/head tilt. Baytril addressed most, yet Gemini required sulfatrim and later bicillim when infection returned.
Sending vibes for snoopy.

Thanks bunny momma. That does give me hope that baytril might do the trick. The vet really did put the wind up me as at one point he started going on about possible brain tumours!

J&B, was Mouse given metacam along with the baytril when she had her ear infection? I'm in bed fretting that Snoopy might be in pain despite the fact he is eating.
 
Personally if you can get him to Camden straight away I would. IME with Rabbit ear infections 5 days of Baytril will do nothing and Pain Relief is essential. I find time is of the essence with ear infections and getting the Rabbit on to an appropriate abx for an appropriate duration and also insuring good analgesic cover is so important. As he has some head tilt it might mean he will require skull radiography/CT Scans to assess the middle and inner ear.

Sending lots of vibes for Snoopy.
 
Thanks for your reply Jane, it's very much appreciated. To be honest, my gut feeling was that he needs to be seen by the RVC sooner rather than later. I've been trying to get through all morning but no luck so far. I'm going to keep trying but at this rate goodness knows when we'll be able to actually get an appointment.
 
Sending hugs to you and your boy! I would second the metacam, it certainly wouldn't hurt. I hope he makes a full recovery!
 
Thanks so much everyone.

I've got some metacam now, so hopefully Snoopy will be feeling a bit more comfortable.

I managed to get through to the RVC. I thought that because he's registered with them I'd be able to just go to them direct. However, it turns out that because he's already been assessed for the infection by my local vet it has to be done as a referral. I've asked my local vet to get the ball rolling and I'm really hoping it's not going to take too long to get an appointment.
 
I'm glad Snoopy has some Metacam now to make him more comfortable. I hope you can get an appointment for him at the RVC soon and that you won't have to wait very long. Sending lots more vibes for Snoopy.
 
I'm glad Snoopy has some Metacam now to make him more comfortable. I hope you can get an appointment for him at the RVC soon and that you won't have to wait very long. Sending lots more vibes for Snoopy.

Thank you. From past experience, I've found that it usually takes a few days to get an appointment through. I'm really hoping the Covid situation doesn't make it longer. I've actually got a week off work from tomorrow so it would be great timing if I can get an appointment this week. It was supposed to give me a bit of time to rest and relax because I've been working flat out with the overtime. I think that plan has gone out of the window now!
 
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