Charlie’s culture results Actinobacillus

[whispercalm]

After almost 6 months of being on and off different antibiotics, treating house for mold, switching from timothy to orchard grass hay, adding air cleaners, Charlie was still going from no symptoms to sneezing and then snotty discharge. Every time except the first time we went to vet, she was never showing symptoms during the visit. He did try quite a variety of antibiotics. Finally after Orbax, She seemed better for a longer period. Then it started again and back to vet. I had pictures to show him, as she was, of course not having discharge. He seemed to still be leaning towards allergies. I wasn’t so sure.

He decided to send us home with a culture kit to use next time she had discharge. Four days later she sneezed a big glob out and I got the culture. When the results came back and the vet called he told me good news is she does not have the bad pastuerella. She does have Actinobacillus and Acinetobactor. The antibiotic that worked in the culture was Zeniquin.

She is on a 14 day course of Zeniquin and has taken 9 days now of it. She still has some sneezing at times. About every 3 days that I notice. She had major sneezing on day 3 and a runny nose then it cleared up beautifully. Then she started sneezing again day 6 and I think had some runny nose because she was washing her face before I got to her. Yesterday and today she’s been doing some sneezing. Not fits, but some sneezing now and then.

Has anyone else’s bunny had Actinobacillus? I know it’s part of the pastuerella family from what I could find, but not, as the vet said, the bad one. More is written relating to guinea pigs as they seem to have the worst time with it, but little out there on rabbits.  I thought I wouldn’t hear anymore sneezing this far along in the antibiotic?

[whispercalm]

I do want to add that she seems to great. In fact, to she’s more playful  and active since starting her antibiotic.  She’s zooms around the house like crazy. I think the day 3 sneezing and discharge because it was so thin and watery ( usually it’s thick and nasty) was her body starting to rid herself of the infection. Day 6 maybe… not so sure what’s going on with yesterday and today. It’s not a ton of sneezing but I’m praying the antibiotic is working.

[Wick & Fable]

Well if you think about it, when the bacteria dies or if the bacteria wants to leave the space because it’s no longer safe for it, how does it exit? Humans cough and sneeze to get that discharge out because it’s a part of the recovery process. I am not a doctor, but a part of me thinks sneezing is not necessarily a sign that it’s not working. Now if the sneezing gets more frequent and serious, that’s a different story. I would recommend going beyond 14 days. It is not uncommon for antibiotics to be stopped too soon so the symptoms come back because not all the bacteria have been addressed.

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.

[DanaNM]

Sounds like you are finally getting some answers!

And agree that a long course might be needed and might be a good precaution (since so many things are becoming resistant these days). My cat had to be one 27 days of an antibiotic for a respiratory infection after a 1o day course didn’t work.

. . . 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]

Actinobacillus is naturally present in rabbits. However, like many bacteria, it is opportunistic. Something must have weakened her immune system and the balance of bacteria in her sinuses got out of wack.

I agree with the others. Sneezing isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if it’s productive at first and then diminishes. A longer course is probably a good idea, just to be on the safe side.

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