has anyone used Ditrim Liquid (Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim)

[Dave]

If anyone has used this antibiotic please let us know if  you had good results or did you run into any problems.

We have not yet given it to him before we ask others who may have experience with this drug.

Our bunny of 9 years (who has always been in our home with the 2 of us) had somewhat of a nasely sound at his last check up of a week ago was perscribed something called “Ditrim Liquid”

I found out its also called Sulfadiazine and Trimethoprim

He would be on a 1.7 mls 2 times a day via mouth syringe for 14 days.

Our biggest worry is that this antibiotic  would turn off the good bacteria in his stomach and potentially stop him from eating ( I don’t want to think of what would happen next)

He is currently eating well and we don’t want to make it worse by possibly ruining his stomach bacteria.

From what I could find on websites about this  antibiotic, I still don’t know if its safe for bunnies.

What I did see was its uses in dogs and cats and horses.

Appreciate any help or advice

 

 

 

 

[Wick & Fable]

I am not familiar with this particular medication, unfortunately. Based on what I can find, it seems safe (see below).

Taking an antibiotic will always run the risk of upsetting the stomach. It is a balance between the potential discomfort from that versus a rabbit continuing to have the bacterial infection he/she does. The gut biome can “grow” back as you continue to feed and maintain the same diet that let it grow to how it is in the first place. Many rabbits have been saved with antibiotics, with some experiencing no stomach discomfort, and others doing so  That being said, if you find your rabbit is especially sensitive and upset by the medication, I would discuss with the vet what are some other options. Perhaps there’s an antibiotic that can be as effective, but less disruptive to your rabbit. While it may seem unfair to try a “trial and error” tactic, I say cautiously that I cannot imagine one dose, in order to gauge your rabbit’s individual reaction, would cause irreversible damage.

Some people speak highly of feeding a probiotic an hour or so after a dose administration, to aid the bacteria in growing back. I’ve heard mixed opinions on the soundness if this works, but regardless, if it’s something people are finding are benefiting their rabbit, there is no harm in feeding those rabbit-safe probiotics, like Benebac.

We commonly use MediRabbit as a way to gauge safety. I found the following snipit:

“Trimethoprim sulfadiazine is a bactericidal antibiotic used in GI tract, respiratory and urinary infections, among others. It is efficacious against a range of bacteria that affect rabbits, including Pasteurella sp., Clostridia spp., Staphylococcus sp., Bordetella sp., etc. It can be used long term, low dose. This antibiotic often shows poor results in rabbits, and often the disease comes back worse once the treatment is stopped. This could relate to the fact that half-life of trimethoprim in a rabbit last only 40 min.”

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.

[jerseygirl]

Hi Dave

I actually gave a course of this to my 9 year old rabbit in February. He has had ongoing nasal issue but I actually had him in for suspected bladder problem so we had that med to try address both issues. It’s interesting that both are mentioned in the medirabbit excerpt that @Wick posted.

He did develop some gut trouble & discomfort concurrrently (i dont believe this was due to the antibiotic)  so I had to treat that and let him recover before I did the course of Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim. He liked it and didnt have any problems during the full  course.  I’m finding the antibiotics and quickly helping this bladder issue that is cropping up. They do help with the nose for a while but unfortunately its never fully resolved.

Like you, I am nervous about the loss good bacteria, especially given his age and he’s a single rabbit. So he can’t innoculate the gut from a bondmate. These antibiotics are not known to wipe everything out like oral penicillin would do. I think it is more of a risk when theyve been on an antibiotic over an extended period of time. Something like baytril (enrofloxacin) is often first choice for rabbits as its selective in the bacteria it targets. Bactrim or Ditrim is a stronger antibiotic Im told, but its commonly prescribed for rabbits, particularly for respiratory problem where baytril has not helped.

I sometimes give a probiotic powder while on an antibiotic but I really do not know if it helps. I’ll often start to give them this after the course of abx is finished.  I have had rabbits that developed cystitis a few months after being on antibiotics for abscesses for 4-6 weeks. I do believe there was some imbalance as result of the abx but it took some time before I saw signs of that. That said, it could have been the chronic health issue and some stress that led to the cystitis also. I just recall it was both those 2 that had been on longish course of meds that developed it.

Hopefully your vet covered this, but if you see your rabbit starts to have liquid poop or goes off his food, halt the medication and make an appt with them. This med is not known to cause this, this is just something to watch for anything given in case your rabbit is particularly sensitive to that antibiotic or additional ingredients in the formula.

[Bam]

I have used Bactrim, but not Ditrim, with 2 rabbits. Both got it for respiratory tract infections. Neither of the two developped any bad tummy side effects. Both got well from their airway infections. Treatment duration was 2 weeks.

I gave a probiotic a couple of hours after the Bactrim. Theres no absolute evidence that it helps, but it wont harm, according to Molly Varga, author of the Textbook of Rabbit Medicine.

You are likely to see some poop weirdness with any antibiotics. Poop may become misshapen or somewhat soft and dark. This has to be regarded as “normal”. If you start to see really runny poop or mucosy poop, stop medication at once and contact your vet.

Antibiotics and other meds can also affect appetite. Keep a close eye on your bun’s food intake, if he stops eating, contact your vet and be prepared to support feed. Critical Care or other recovery formula is good to have on hand, as well as feeding syringes.

[Dave]

Hi Bam

Thanks so much on what you experienced.

I’m so glad to hear your 2 rabbits got well.

I will watch for any signs of this medication causing problems.

The vet did not say anything on what for me to watch for.

Its re-assuring that there were no tummy side affects on the Bactrim.

I have been worried that Gemy could experience this.

What probiotic did you use?

I would want to use that also during the time gemy is on this medication.

Thanks so much for your advice and help

Dave

[Bam]

Hi Dave!
I used a probiotic called Symbiotic D-C. It’s made by a British company. The important thing though, is that it has the bacterium enterococcus faecium. Not a very nice name, but it’s the bacterium that is the most prevalent in the healthy bunny gut. Benebac, which is available in most parts of the world, has enterococcus faecium + a few other bacteria.

We’ll be happy for updates!

 

 

[Dave]

Hi Bam

Thanks on letting me know the names of the probiotics that I can use for Gemy.

Appreciate your advice and help

Dave

[Kat]

Is it safe to put bunnies in grass to lounge and play?

[Author]

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