Wick had a URI (upper respiratory infection). Not necessarily identified as ec, since we never ran a culture. My vet is one of the most experienced with rabbits within and outside my area, so I fully trusted her trial and error process. Super thankful I lived close by to her.
The second medication took hold, and the addition of a third turned everything around. It took 3mo from start (getting first antibiotic) to finish (Wick’s first medication-free day).
The reason why c&s tests are a bit finicky is because there are some instances where the culture won’t show anything. While it seems scary and experimental to just try medications, you’ll know when you find the right one. Below was Wick’s experience, which the beginning sounds similar to yours.
1) Wick arrived as 9wo. After a few days, he began sneezing. Continuously. With sneeze fits upwards of 7 in a row. Nasal discharge was clear. Sneezing persisted and increased for the first 7 days of ownership. Vet appt was made.
2) Vet informed me it was most likely a URI. While a test could be done to find out, it may be better to try treatment early since the infection seems strong. Left the office with 2w of Bactrim.
3) Call check in part way through treatment and vet visit on the last day left to stopping bactrim (no improvement; nasal discharge became white). Baytril treatment was started.
4) Baytril showed very marginal difference, which was better than getting worse. After 3w of Baytril, call in check ups, and another visit, it was decided to continue Baytril, but add daily shots of penicillin (floxicillin (?)).
5) Second day of shot, extreme improvement. Drastic. It was great. After 3 days and a call check up, it was deemed perhaps the penicillin is the solution, so discontinue Baytril.
6) Baytril was stopped, but after a few hours passed the first missed dose, sneezing returned.
7) Call check up with vet perplex, we resume concurrent Baytril and penicillin shots. This continues for 7 days.
8) Call check up. Wick is great. Sneezing has gone down a lot. We’re hesitant to change anything since no Baytril led to a resurgence, so penicillin shot was changed to once every 3 days instead of everyday.
9) Improvement sustained and continued on both penicillin and Baytril.
10) Call check up once medications were running low again. It was decided to use it all up, then stop and monitor.
11) Wick is healthy!! == 3mo. log journey ends.
…. So, once all was done, me and my vet spoke, and essentially something the vet believes happened was the bacterial infection or infections used a more difficult defense mechanism, where it surrounds itself with the matter of it’s dead and still living duplicates. It did a good job defending itself, but after persistent medication, we finally nailed it.
…. Short statement would be, trying out medications isn’t unheard of and can be relatively safe if your vet is informed about the different medications and symptoms. I never liked seeing Wick wake himself up by sneezing or getting crazy sneezes when eating hay.
It was expensive. Not necessarily because we chose trial and error, but because Wick’s infection was so pesky and strong. But if you’re willing to be patient and spend some additional funds, it would be great for your rabbit to live sneeze free. Wick is very happy, as he was before, but he’s much more relaxed now… He did learn to huff when he’s upset though, haha.
The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150411-dogs-cats-allergies-science-pets-animals/
