Good idea, chill out then do what needs to be done. Bindi does get the best care!

I look at allexperts.com quite a bit where Dana Krempels answers quite a few rabbit queries. Could you maybe ask her about chronic ear infections?

I have observed in children that some kids just seem to get the same probs cropping up time and time again. Some have weakness in ear, some with gastro issues, respiratory etc. I know we are talking 2 different species here, just wondering about similarities. Some kids have great improvements on a diet change. Like wheat/dairy free is said to take the stress off the immune system for some time so the body recovers from the allergy or infection more readily. So I’m just wondering if Bindis immune system is operating 100% and how you can aid that.

Anyway, hope you’ll feel better soon – healing vibes for Bindi Loo!

I think the BNT must be ear stuff……  http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_topical.htm     B.N.T (enrofloxacin , ketoconazole, triamcinolone)

Have they done a culture on the ear debris?  I know this is not a cheap test- but might be cheaper than constant meds, rechecks, etc.

I know very little about rabbit anatomy, just thinking Ear, Nose, Mouth interconnection could be possible source for bacterial infection…(???)

Yes, this is a very good point.  

Did the vet take head x-rays?  Specifically dental x-rays.  I see so many cases of head infections that are based in a tooth root issue.  They’re not easy to diagnose (or treat).

The culture question is also important, although I’d personally treat first and do a culture if the first round didn’t work.    I didn’t see prescription info in the post, but usually a combination of injected and oral antibiotics is the ticket.  My vet seems to prefer injected penicillin and oral chlor palm, which has worked for me, although oral zithromax is also well regarded. 

I didn’t think anything beyond flushes was recommended re: cleaning the ears, and I thought most ear infections were too deep for to do much anyway.  ’Keeping it clean’ to me means sterile, and not sure that the kits or swabs or anything else provide that, but I’ve never used them, so…    

If Bindi isn’t already on oral and injected antibiotics, that’s where I’d put my money.  That should knock out both tooth root and ear infections.  If there’s no improvement, then worry about further tests.

Additional warning:  While some improvement should be seen soon fairly soon, complete eradication can take months.  Literally.  I’ve had head abscess bunnies on daily shots for 60 to 90 days.  

sas 

 I hate to question a vet’s treatment, especially without knowing the vet or the bunny, but Baytril wouldn’t be my choice without more compelling evidence, especially since it didn’t clear it up in the first place.   I’m pretty sure reoccurring infections like this are almost always the same infection returning.  The antibiotic either wasn’t the right one to fight that particular bacteria, the dosage wasn’t strong enough or it wasn’t used for a long enough time.

Baytril still has its place but it has been overused in general and is now far less effective than it was in its day.  It is sounding more like an ear infection than a tooth abscess with tentacles, although that still could be the case, but either way it really needs to be knocked out pronto.

I wouldn’t use the drops without asking the vet, they might sting like crazy.   I know rabbits can go into shock from pain like that — ie: pouring peroxide in an open wound.   Unlikely, but best to be safe in that regard.  

I honestly wouldn’t wait 10 days at this stage.  I don’t think I’d use the Baytril at all, myself, especially with the weight loss,  I’d get him on another  injectable/oral combo ASAP, but Baytril is also available as an injectable, which could ease up the weight loss issues, assuming it’s because it suppressed his appetite.    Injectables are actually fairly easy to administer at home — it’s usually a shot every two days — and not that expensive.   I’ve never had a bad reaction to them here.   And it should be in conjunction with an oral.   I really don’t like messing with abscesses / infections.  I had a vet this summer who wasn’t aggressive enough with one, with tragic results.  

For people who can’t do shots and can’t get to the vet every two days, I know vets and caregivers who are using Convenia injections on rabbits with good success, although it is expensive and it doesn’t have the same long-acting properties in rabbits as it does in cats and dogs, so the vet has to be aware of the correct frequency and dosage.   And because it’s not used as often, there is less data out there re: bad reactions, although I haven’t personally heard of any.  

I’m not a vet, and you may or may not have a good one, but I’d personally want a second opinion.  

sas

I agree that at this point you need to do a culture to see what comes back and what antibiotics this particular thing is sensitive too.

I think too that it’s time to move away from Baytril if this is not helping…I agree too that Baytril is overused – it’s very good for some things but it seems like many vets just go straight for the baytril.  Sometimes too they don’t use a strong enough dosage or a dosage for a long enough time.  But there are other drugs out there that are safe for rabbits and can be more effective.

i’m so sorry LPT. i know you were very excited to have this all behind you. the only thing i can think is to follow up on the other’s advice, maybe seek a culture and figure out if there’s a better way to be going about this.

*Bindi*

How often does he get these ear infections?  During what times of the year?   One of our rabbits is pretty prone to gettting them as well. Especially during allergy season.  Our vet actually recommended to put him on Childrens Benedryl since the ear infection seem to be related to possibly allergies. We do a weekly does and just put it on one of his treats and it has cut back the frequency of the ear infection drastically.

I think we are seeing antibiotic overuse in animal health just like in human health. Overuse means bug resistance which means we need more available antibiotics.

Poor little guy.

I totally understand about knowing you care so well for your buns and see these peoples buns who get all the wrong care and never seem to be sick. But just remember…looks can always be deceiving. You never know if there is a sickness well hidden by the bun and then they die young.

You know you are helping your baby the best you can. Maybe go back to the vet and see “your vet” make sure the treatment is correct for your bun?

LittlePuffyTail, may I suggest serializing the rabbit’s den? I’m quite new to know much about rabbits. Just an suggestion.

For some reason I am thinking yeast infection, so I wonder, what’s his diet like? Are there any items he eats that could be culturing yeast in his system? Sometimes that will manifest recurrent infections throughout the body (as we women well know.) Or even a too acidic/alkaline fluid system in the body.

Just a thought. Probably not very helpful, but it’s just tickling my brain.

Sending healing vibes for Bindi and calming vibes for you! ((((((((vibes))))))))

Ack, poor Bindi! I’m not a med expert, so all I can send is my best wishes!

(((LPT))) and (((Bindi Loo)))!

That does sound pretty basic. But I’m wondering about the pellets. Which brand do you buy, if you don’t mind my asking? I just had to discontinue pellets for Pip because they kept giving her poopy butt, no matter what brand I used. My guess is there’s some kind of filler ingredient that may react with a bunny’s system, or that they eventually become allergic to, and possibly with mixed results depending on the bunny.
How old is Bindi Loo, btw?

Sorry LPT, I’m not familiar with that brand. What do the ingredients say?

Ahhh That’s what I was using until I found bulk livestock pellets that were good.

Little Martins is an extruded (so they are the round pellets) timothy based pellet with great analysis. My rabbits absolutely LOVED them too

That’s great news LPT! ^_^ Many more good vibes coming your way to ensure Bindi’s health continues! (((((hugs)))))))

LPT, I just came across D.Krempels response to your Qu (least I think it was you!) Thought it interesting what she said about lack or airflow to the lop ears. I imagine this’d be a prob after having to clean out the ears so much too and getting them dry. This may sound silly, but could you very gently pin Bindi’s ears back for a few hours each day to increase the air flow to them? Don’t exactly know how or if that would be harmful…and I’m sure he would try unpin them….Maybe loosely put a hair tie around ears, drawing them together at the base? Sorry if this sound weird or ill advised!

Anyway, glad he’s doing better!

lolz…I’m thinking of the old Babs and Buster Looney Tunes Kids shows….”Do you like my ears better up? Or down?”

Geez, LPT, the two of us are each having a heckuva time with our loppies aren’t we? I gotta say, I didn’t see this coming when I brought Mimzy home.