Interpreting "I am in pain" teeth grinding in a sick bunny

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 14sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 11/25/2013 at 12:08 PM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  I have a couple Holland lops, about 4 months old who are bonded. One of them, Winnie, developed an upper respirator infection and is on an antibiotic. The vet suggested that we keep them apart for at least a week. So we separated them (they were being separated most of the time already because they have not been altered yet) and began treatment.
  
  Now, Winnie has been grinding her teeth in the “I am in pain” way since she has been on the antibiotic. This is despite her overall normal behavior otherwise. So, we don’t know what is causing her grinding. Has anyone had instances of antibiotics causing upset stomachs in their pets? Could her pain simply be part of her illness? Would you suggest separating them or keeping them together while Winnie recovers? The doctor also offered pain meds if we want them, but I don’t want to have so much medicine
- 11/25/2013 at 12:15 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Is she still eating and drinking and pooping.
  
  What antibiotic did he put her on?
- 11/25/2013 at 12:29 PM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  She is still eating, drinking, and pooping normally. The antibiotic is called Tribrissen.
- 11/25/2013 at 12:49 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  That is also known as bactrim which is safe for rabbits and rabbit safe antibiotics should normally not cause stomach upset. It very well could do with the illness and starting the antibiotic just may be a coincidence for this behavior.
  
  But I think my best advice to you is to call your vet and see what the vet says because you do not want to just stop the antibiotic because that is not helpful either. Some people may suggest a probiotic (usually it’s benebac) which may or may not help and you may want to see if the vet and see if they recommend a probiotic.
- 11/25/2013 at 2:35 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17238 posts
  I wouldn’t think the antibiotic would cause stomach upset, but a probiotic might help. It is worth asking about.
  
  How long was she sick before she started the antibiotic? Like Sarita suggested, it could be part of the illness. If the bacteria had enough time to really take over things, she could have pressure in her sinuses. I don’t know about rabbits, but sinus pain in people can cause tooth pain.
- 11/25/2013 at 4:48 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  You really should call your vet and if your bunny is in obvious pain, you should perhaps reconsider giving her pain-meds. Pain can be a strain on the immune-system, it’s really quite exhausting to be in pain.
  
  If the vet said to keep them apart you probably should so as not to risk your other bunny’s health. But after a week on the Baytril you could perhaps let them be nearer to each other – if they’ve cages, move the cages so they can see each other but not make babies. It could be it’s stressful for her to not have any contact with her co-bunny.
- 11/25/2013 at 6:18 PM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  Thanks for the note on probiotics. We will check into that. In the meantime, we did call our vet back and have her on pain meds. Hopefully she gets better soon and the time that they have spent together does not make our other bunny, Mr. Weathersby sick!
- 11/25/2013 at 6:26 PM
  CheriB603
  Participant
  422 posts
  Are they un-neutered boy and girl? At 4 months old they should not be together even for a second unless you want an oops litter! Hope it hasn’t already happened. :-/
  
  Just a thought.
- 11/25/2013 at 6:59 PM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  We are actually thinking that Mr. is a Ms.per the Vet. Sorry for the confusion. I have not gotten out of the habbit yet.
- 11/25/2013 at 8:36 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I hope the pain meds help her.
  
  Is she sitting hunched up at all or tipping her head up when she grinds her teeth?
- 11/26/2013 at 7:16 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Just sending along some ((((Get Well Soon)))) wishes for your bun.
- 11/26/2013 at 8:32 AM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  No, she is not “sitting hunched up at all or tipping her head up when she grinds her teeth”. She seems to grind her teeth mostly when she is laying down and may even grind them in her sleep sometimes. Does grinding when they are asleep still indicate pain or could that be like humans grinding our teeth at night?
- 11/26/2013 at 9:32 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  When my bunnies have ground their teeth with pain, it’s been like a chatter. A rather loud sound, not at all like the softish, vibrational sound they make when they are at ease (a “tooth-purr”).
  
  So maybe your bunny’s tooth-grinding isn’t a sign of pain after all? Mine never tooth-grind in their sleep but I’ve a vague recollection of having read about it.
  
  Btw, I too want to send you my best wishes and hope for her speedy recovery, of course.
  
  Mr Weathersby is a really cute name for a bunny even if she happens to be a girl.
- 11/27/2013 at 12:06 PM
  JASmith
  Participant
  8 posts
  Thanks for the well wishes. We are taking her into the vet again since the antibiotics don’t seem to be clearing up what she has and the small dose of pain meds is only working so-so.
- 11/27/2013 at 3:17 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17238 posts
  You can try a different antibiotic. If you are finding that you are having to try more than too, then it might be worth it to do a culture. Otherwise you might end up going through one antibiotic after another with no results.
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