Antibiotics advice

[leothelop]

Leo is on his second (suspected) ear infection causing head tilt. He has been on Baytril for almost 7 weeks, and Metronidizole for about a month. He is currently doing quite well, very minimal tilt left and appetite and energy are normal. We saw the vet today to discuss options and we are going to get referred to a specialist. Because of the holidays they can’t book us an appointment until Tuesday but our vet has recommended stopping antibiotics because she believes the specialist will want to do cultures. She says that they will want him off of them for a week before cultures but I was reading it only needs to be 3 days. I’m very anxious about stopping the antibiotics in case his tilt returns and it makes the bacteria more resistant to them. I guess I’m just looking for some opinions/reassurance. Will stopping antibiotics for a week cause problems? I was very worried we were going to lose him this time and I feel like we’re finally in a place where I feel ok about things so I’m scared to stop. I want to wait to meet the specialist but due to their schedule we need to try to get all of these things done within the next few weeks. I mostly trust my vet about this but I’m an anxious person and I feel like it’s going to be a very long week. So, thoughts: should I do as the vet says and stop his antibiotics in hopes of getting cultures next week? Should I wait to talk to the specialist, knowing that time is limited and if she still says I need to have him off them for a week I will have set us further behind? Or do I push for a shorter break of only 3 days like I read online? Any thoughts/advice is appreciated.

[Heatherar]

Hello- my rabbit has an ear infection too . Otiti midia. She’s also on the same antibiotic your rabbit is on . She doesn’t have a head tilt but she’s very wobbly and not fully balanced . I honestly would just keep giving the antibiotic till you talk to specialist .

[DanaNM]

7 weeks is a very long time to have been on Baytril. I’m not familiar with the typical course for Metronidizole, but that also seems very long as well.

It’s true that stopping antibiotics early can lead to resistance, but I’m also wondering about the length of treatment. My thinking is that if you have a bacteria that is not responding to the current antibiotics, it will show up in the culture even if you keep using them. Unless the bacteria is responding very slowly… Personally I would call the specialist and ask them what to do. They should be able to advise you whether to stop the medicines before coming in or not.

Usually when an animal needs to come back for labs, vaccines, etc, it’s easier to schedule than a new patient appointment because they will just bring the bun to the back and the technicians can handle it, so I wouldn’t worry too much about getting everything done in one go.

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

You said suspected. Is the vet not sure? Do the symptoms return if he comes of the Baytril? I agree that 7 weeks is a long time. If the Baytril hasn’t resolved the issue, then it may be best to try another antibiotic. Or you may want to consider other possible causes like EC.

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