Antibiotics vs. Probiotics?

[MimzMum]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to create a different post for this and headline this question. Is it a good idea to give probiotics proactively to your bunny when it is taking antibiotics to fight infection? Or should they only be used if you see bun is not eating? And should they be given at the same time as the antibiotic or should they be separated by a few hours so they don’t cancel each other out?

Thankies!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Yes, do give them while on antibiotics, just don’t adminsiter them at the same time.    At least this is the information that was given to me a while back.  The probiotics simply help balance the gut flora, which in turn helps the immune system, so the propbiotics don’t directly fight infection.

 

 

[MimzMum]

Thanks Rose! I gave him a half capsule with a bit of banana after reading this. He doesn’t appear to be having any trouble eating, but I’d just as soon not let it get to that point at all for the next ten days if I can help it.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yeh I think it’s the same as with us. After a round of antibiotics, the probiotics are destroyed as well so getting them going again (for us by having yogurt apparently) with benebac is something I’ve read is beneficial. I’ve never been down that road with a bunny yet.

Mimz I was able to buy this stuff called benebac-its a liquid paste that tastes good =may be easier then giving a tablet. Unless your vet gave you the probiotic tablet-then I’d stick with that!

[Sarita]

I would try the benebac as well – some rabbits seem to like this.

I give acidopholous tablets as treats (the non-dairy kind) – not sure if these probiotics really truly work for rabbits since no research has really been done and these types of things really don’t exist in the rabbits gut flora but many people swear by it. I think it certainly cannot hurt to give them.

[MimzMum]

The vet gave me a packet of five capsules that I have to break open and sprinkle the powder inside on a food treat. Mimzy doesn’t seem to notice that he’s eating it fortunately, as I cant’ imagine it tastes very good on it’s own. 0_o It’s called Proviable.

[wendyzski]

I posted this in your other thread, but I’ll copy it over here as well:

My vet has ALWAYS prescribed a probiotic whenever there is an antibiotic being given.  You give them at different times (read your directions or ask your vet) so they are not cancelling each other out.    The antibiotic gets in their system, and then the probiotic “jump-starts” the dgestive system again.  Rabbit’s digestive systems are SO dependant on gut bacteria that they don’t want to knock  things out of whack, especially in a bun that is already sick. 

With the pasteurella, Pepper was on an off antibiotics for more than 8 months, and NEVER had any tummy issues – I credit that to the probi.  I would give Pepper her antibiotic with her greens when I got home from work at 6-ish and then she got her ProBi at around 8:30 with her pellets and then again in the morning with her other pellets.

My probi was a liquid and she got 2 small doses per day – I would just put it on her pellets and she never noticed.  The antibiotics I would smush up in a blob of applesauce or canned pumpkin and she pretty much inhaled them – SO Much easier that trying the syringe method.

[Author]

Messages