No experience, but not eating is not a good sign. Did you vet tell you any symptoms to look out for? They may be drugged out so not interested in eating. Keep monitoring and if they haven’t eaten anything, maybe force-feed a syringe of critical? Try offering a treat to see if they still have an appetite.

I recommend calling your vet and at least leaving a message stating what’s happening if it persists.

http://www.pharmacygeoff.md/Otomax_Ear_Drops_Gentamicin_Betamethasone_Clotrimazole_2640I_p_2309.html

Unsure the validity of this site, but it seems loss of appetite is a listed side effect. Hopefully it weans out.

Sending vibes!!!

Otomax is sort of iffy. It contains an antibiotic, a steroid, and an antifungal. The antibiotic (gentamicin) is approved for use in rabbits. However, it’s considered more of a last resort antibiotic because of its side effects (possible ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in high enough doses). The steroid (betamethasone) isn’t one of the the really bad ones, but you should use caution in general when it comes to ANY steroid and rabbits. It can be used to reduce inflammation in extreme cases, but it can also inhibit healing so they advise against using it. The antifungal probably isn’t anything to be too concerned about. At least as far as I know.

That being said, Wooly has had doses of Otomax before. He has not had it during an active infection though and it was more to reduce inflammation. It was very short term though.

As far as him not wanting to eat goes, it’s hard to say if it is because of the Otomax. Sometimes an ear infection itself can cause a loss of appetite. If he isn’t eating, you should consult with your vet ASAP. Is your vet open on Saturdays?

As far as him not wanting to eat goes, it’s hard to say if it is because of the Otomax. Sometimes an ear infection itself can cause a loss of appetite. If he isn’t eating, you should consult with your vet ASAP. Is your vet open on Saturdays?

I wondered this also. That it could be from discomfort from the ear infection. Or even from the stress of a vet visit and having to be handled for the drops to be administered?

I used Otomax for Rumball but it didn’t affect his appetite.

Hope your rabbit comes good and starts eating soon.

Jersey – Yeah, I don’t recall Wooly having any appetite issues either.

Adam – Wooly’s case was a bit different. He is an oddball, as most people on BB will tell you. He has chronic issues involving his sinuses, one ear, and he has permanent facial paralysis on that side. The reason he was given the Otomax was because he had his ear cleaned. Whenever the vet cleans his ear, he will have a lot of inflammation on that side and he’ll actually look worse for awhile. There didn’t appear to be an active infection though. The Otomax actually helped prevent all the swelling after his ear was cleaned and he seemed much more comfortable. If memory serves me right, it was a couple of “drops” (Otomax is very ointment-like). He only had it for a few days.

I certainly wasn’t meaning to scare you or anything. I just wanted you to know that there should be some caution used with that stuff. Some vets are a little bit more liberal with the use of steroids (in rabbits) than others. And, although there are some safer antibiotics than gentamicin, it has been used for certain things.

I guess what I’m saying is that I wouldn’t go against the vet’s prescription without asking about it first. He/she may have had a very good reason for using the Otomax. I don’t know. If I remember correctly, others on the forum have used Otomax for ear infections. Although I think most were outside the realm of textbook cases. Jersey – What did Rumball use it for?

My real concern is that he isn’t eating. Now, an ear infection itself can cause a loss in appetite. So it may not be the Otomax at all. That’s why I said it was best to ask the vet first. Have you had any luck yet? Will he eat any greens/veggies? Hay? You could always try critical care or a pellet mash too if necessary.

Also, how long have you been giving it to him?

Rumball had some pus that the vet was able to partially remove. He said he wanted to use otomax because he suspected it there might be pseudomonas bacterial present due to some ulceration in the ear canal. It’s not susceptible more commonly used antibiotics. I was treating both my lops around a similar time. Goose was prescribed baytril otic.

I do remember the drops did make things appear more inflammed. Maybe a reaction to an ingredient, or Rumball scratching at his ear more because of the feeling of the drops… I couldn’t say.
I thought this had silver sulfadine in it, but I may be getting it confused with something else.

Ah, that makes sense. Medirabbit says gentamicin is used for that type of bacteria.

So you think the Otomax caused more inflammation? That’s interesting. It really seemed to help Wooly.

It was more areas up higher (when holding a lop ear upwards!) that I noticed some inflammation after using the drops.

Is his ear painful, I wonder? If the vet messed with it, I mean. I know Wooly has come back from the vet with his ear messed with and he didn’t want to eat as much.

It sounds like your bun is eating some though, so that is a good sign.

I’m glad he’s eaten some cilantro and that you’ve heard back from the vet. It could perhaps have been the stress of the vet visit that made him lose his appetite.

Keep trying to coax him to eat. Some buns eat pellet mush (soaked pellets) from a plate if it’s mixed with something yummy, like baby fruit smoothie or canned plain pumpkin.

How is your bun doing today?

My Bindi was on Otomax for an ear infection years ago. He had no side effects. I’m a bit wary of a vet that prescribes a steroid med for a “maybe” infection. How sure are you that your vet is really experienced with rabbits?

There always a chance the not eating is completely not related to the Otomax.

How is he now? Is he doing better now that he’s had some time?

Otomax can affect hearing. I think it’s typically temporary. Is he a lop rabbit?

Yes, some countries have released several different viruses to control feral rabbit populations. There are vaccines available, but some countries don’t allow them. If you’re in the US, vaccines are not available because they are not needed.

Glad to hear he’s doing better!