How long should it take for Baytril to start working?

[Dobby]

Unfortunately, Pip is sick.  He had some slight discharge on his eyes when I got him a few weeks ago but the vet didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about.  It has progressed into lots of sneezing, a runny nose and more discharge from his eyes.  He went to the vet on Wednesday and she thinks it could be an upper respiratory infection.  He has been on Baytril since Wednesday night and is supposed to be on it for 2 weeks. 

(She did mention it could be teeth or a sinus blockage but wanted to try antibiotics first since that is the least intrusive option.)

His private parts are also irritated, inflammed and a little dirty.  They were a bit like this when I first got him.  I had been slowly cleaning them and they seemed better but then got more inflamed as the URI symptoms increased, which makes me think it is bacterial.  So he is also on Metcam for a few days to decrease the inflammation and any associated pain of that.

I’m also supposed to wipe his nose, eyes and private parts with saline every day.  Needless to say, I am not his favorite person right now.  When I go to hang out with him he won’t come out of his little cardboard house.  I feel so bad but know I need to do it.

In getting all of these instructions from the vet, I completely forgot to ask her about how long it should take before I see results from the Baytril.  Does anyone know about how long that takes? We have a follow up appointment in two weeks but I want to make sure I know if I need to take him back earlier.

[jerseygirl]

Just a guess but I’d think a minimum 7 days in oral antibiotic before you might see changes.

His private parts are also irritated, inflammed and a little dirty. They were a bit like this when I first got him. I had been slowly cleaning them and they seemed better but then got more inflamed as the URI symptoms increased, which makes me think it is bacterial.

This sounds a lot like rabbit syphills which is a bacterial infection. It’s treated with penicillin g injections.

May I ask what region of the world you live?

[Dobby]

I’m near Washington, DC.  Is rabbit syphillis only in certain areas?  He was used for breeding before I got him by a backyard breeder. 

He”s being kept separate from my other rabbit until things clear up but they were allowed to meet through an xpen a few times before I knew Pip was sick.  Should I be worried about things being contagious?

[jerseygirl]

It depends on what it is really. Many can carry syph but not show symptoms. Sometimes it flares up due to stress. Not to worry though as its completely treatable.

I’m near Washington, DC. Is rabbit syphillis only in certain areas?

I’m not sure. I don’t think so…
I asked about location because of myxomatosis. It has similar symptoms. In UK, Australia, NZ we have to be on look out for symptoms. It’s not common in US though I believe there has been some cases arising in California.

[Dobby]

I’ve just researched rabbit syphillis and looked Pip over. I noticed that he has a small lession near his mouth. And his genitals look like or worse than some of the pictures I found online. He also had had either a cut or blister on his eye during the week (which helped me decide we did need to go to the vet) but that has healed up.

Poor little guy.

[jerseygirl]

Mmm… I’d definitely discuss possibility with your vet. Baytril won’t help if it is syphilis.
{{{Pip}}}

ETA: I think they can test for it but many vets will just treat based on symptoms. It’s just a series of Penicillin G injections.

[Dobby]

I’ve left a message with the vet. Hopefully I will hear back soon. Thanks for your help, jerseygirl!

[LBJ10]

I think Jersey is on to something. Definitely talk to the vet. If I remember right, it was Pen G shots that helped another member’s rabbit that had it.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Poor little Pip. Really hope you get this sorted out soon. (((Pip)))

[Dobby]

Ugh! I’ve just found a pea size lump on his jaw line. I wonder if all of these things could be related or if we’ve got several things going on.

The vet is supposed to call me back tomorrow so hopefully we can figure it all out.

Luckily, he is eating, drinking and pooping well.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Dobby on 09/08/2013 06:18 PM
Ugh! I’ve just found a pea size lump on his jaw line. I wonder if all of these things could be related or if we’ve got several things going on.

Very possible. If he was used for backyard breeding and put with lots of different Does, he could have been exposed to various pathogens. At least he’s being seen to now. {{{Pip}}}

[Dobby]

I talked to my vet and she recommended I take him to a rabbit specialist in the area. I thought it was really great that she so willingly offered the referral, given everything that’s going on with Pip. We are going to see the specialist on Wednesday.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Good luck!!!

[Dobby]

We just got back from the new vet and she is pretty sure it is syphilis. She also said his lesions were worse than what she normally sees. He got a penicillin injection while we were there. And I need to give him one shot each day for the next 6 days. (I mentioned to the vet that I’d read they were done weekly but she prefers this method.) I also have some benebac, just in case.

She said he has some molar spurs and that the lump on his jaw could be a tooth root growing out. She took some x-rays but it wasn’t definitive. And she doesn’t think he’s especially underweight, just lean.

So our plan of attack is injections for a week, along with a thorough cleaning of his area of the house to prevent reinfection. If that clears everything up in the next week or two, we will schedule his neutering and while he is under she will trim his teeth and take a better look at the lump. That way he only needs to go under once. She is hopefully that now that he has regular access to hay his teeth won’t need regular trimming.

I’ll also need to get Dobby treated, just in case. I guess just touching noses is enough to spread syphillis and, even if he’s asypmtomatic, he could reinfect Pip.

Thank you guys so much for your help and suggestions. I can only imagine how long it would have taken to figure this all out with the other vet. I think the other vet was well intentioned but not up to the multiple problems/symptoms Pip had. Based on my experience today, I will be making a switch to the new vet for both Dobby and Pip. The new vet is a pain to get to (the other vet is a simple bus ride away and this vet requires me to use zipcar and is between 1/2 hour and 2 hours away, depending on traffic) but it seems well worth it.

[jerseygirl]

Good luck with the penicillin shots! I found them difficult to give.
What type of penicillin is it?

This vet sounds thorough. You could really continue to see both if it suits. The close by one for general wellness checks or if you need one of the boys seen in a hurry. The other for procedures or complicated health matters.
This is what I tend to do now. I have a vet very close that I know sees rabbits. Then another experienced one that’s a bit of a drive but has done surgeries and diagnostic work. At a reasonable rate too. That one also has affordable after hours care also.

Hope you see an improvement in Pip soon!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Wishing Pip a very speedy recovery from this! ((((Pip)))))

[Dobby]

Jerseygirl – It’s penicillin g.

[Sarita]

I think the pen-g shots daily will be more effective – that is normally what my vet does as well. In the past I’ve had vets do 3 then wait a few days then 2 then 1 or something to that effect.

I don’t think once a week is adequate to really jump start the healing.

Vibes to Pip.

[Dobby]

Maybe I shouldn’t count my chickens yet, but Pen G seems to be a wonder drug. I haven’t heard a sneeze or a snuffle out of Pip at all today and his nose looks so much better than just last night. I haven’t checked out anything else too closely yet. I think he was manhandle enough yesterday. But there are definite signs of improvement. And I successfully administered my first shot! Yay!

[LBJ10]

That’s great! Hoping things continue to improve!

[Dobby]

Oh my goodness. Pip is like a whole new bunny. His nose is back to normal, he’s not sneezing at all, his snoring does not sound labored anymore and his private parts are looking much better. He was hopping around like crazy this morning. And he has started digging at and chewing the rug. Obviously not so great for my rug, but I think it shows how much better he is feeling. He also jumped off the table mid shot this evening so had to get two pricks tonight. Luckily only 2 nights of shots to go.

[jerseygirl]

Aw that’s great! : )
Obviously whatever bug he has is susceptible to penicillin.

He hasn’t had any gut upsets on it?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad he’s feeling better!!

[Dobby]

No, no gut problems. He is eating and pooping normally. I have given him benebac a couple of times, just in case. I plan to give him a little more tonight. Actually he seems to be much more interested in hay now that he is feeling better.

Once the medicine stops, I’ll monitor him for a few days to make sure nothing comes back and then call the vet and see what she says about scheduling something to fix his teeth and and himself. 🙂

[jerseygirl]

Actually he seems to be much more interested in hay now that he is feeling better.

Maybe because he’s breathing easier? Hopefully he’ll be able to keep his teeth under control himself after the initial trim!

Ask your vet if continuing benebac for a few weeks after is worthwhile. I wouldn’t think it could hurt.

Any change to the lump on his jaw? I’m trying to find a term I read that made me think of Pip. It was about bacterial infections and lumps sometimes appearing under the jaw. I think due to lymph nodes located there.

If this were the case and abx can treat it, it really is the better scenario then tooth root abscess IMO.

[Dobby]

No change to the lump. It is a really hard, bony feeling thing so the vet didn’t think it was an abscess. I hope it’s easily sorted once she gets a better look at it while he’s under.

[Dobby]

Pip’s been givin the all clear and is scheduled for surgery next Friday. I can’t wait to get this done and finally be able to start bonding…in a month.

[jerseygirl]

Yay!

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