Clindamycin/Clavamox Questions

[henry2809]

Hi everyone! I know that rabbits cannot have certain antibiotics because they can cause fatal enterotoxemia. My cat is currently sick and has to take Clindamycin and Clavamox twice daily. Will my rabbit be at risk if I am handling these antibiotics to give them to my cat? I’m just worried that some of the medication will dissolve on my hands while I’m giving them to my cat, and then it will be dangerous for my rabbit since I will be touching his hay, pellets, etc. will washing my hands before I see my rabbit be sufficient? Has anybody ever handled antibiotics and then interacted with their rabbit? Thanks in advance!

[Bam]

The main problem with certain antibiotics is that they will basically wreak havoc with the rabbit gut, kill off virtually all good microorganisms and cause deadly diahorrea. Clindamycin and clavamox (amoxicillin and clavulinic acid) are among those antibiotics. But for them to be harmful, your buns must ingest the clindamycin or clavamox.

The only way that could happen that I can think of would be if your cat vomits soon after having had the clindamycin/clavamox and the buns actually eat the vomit. (Since vomiting is a common side effect of at least clavamox).

 

[henry2809]

Thank you so much! So petting my rabbit and handling his hay/pellets/treats after I handle the antibiotics will not pose any risk to my rabbit?

[LBJ10]

You should wash your hands, of course. But I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

[henry2809]

Thank you! I gave her the antibiotics this morning and they were dissolving on my fingers while I was trying to give them to her, so I just washed my hands with soap and water before going to touch his hay, give him treats, and change his litter box in the morning. I assume any amount that would be on my hands after that would not do anything to harm him?

[Bam]

That potential residual amount wouldn’t be anything to worry about.

[henry2809]

Hey everyone! My bunny had a bit of soft stool this morning, but I doubt that it was related to the antibiotics that I am giving my cat. I have been washing my hands after each time that I give her antibiotics (twice per day), so hopefully it is totally unrelated

[Bam]

I too think it’s unrelated, but it’s of course very wise of you to wash your hands and keep an eye.

[henry2809]

I’m slightly concerned about him again. I cleaned out his litter box this morning and all of his poop looked perfect, but this afternoon I found a bunch of wet, dark, and mushy poop in his litter box. He is acting fine and eating normally, but I’m worried that he could have been exposed to some of the antibiotics that I’m giving my cat (Clavamox and Clindamycin) from my hands or clothes and he’s developing enterotoxemia. Would I be seeing other signs if this were the case? Also, wouldn’t he have to be getting like syringes full of these medications to cause enterotoxemia? I’m very worried about him

[LBJ10]

Are they cecotropes?

Main symptoms are sudden onset of weakness and lethargy so I’m thinking this is just some general GI upset. Has his diet changed at all?

[Author]

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