More Issues

[OnyxMoon]

So Onyx has always been a sickly bunny, sneezing/runny nose/runny eyes. We have taken him to the vet multiple times, and have gone through 4 rounds of antibiotics (the last three were Baytril).

After about a month of not having any symptoms, except the occasional sneeze, he has now begun having his runny nose/watery eyes/sneezing fits again. Im not sure what else it could be than an URI. The four times we’ve taken him in, the vet is rabbit savvy and sees other rabbits as well, she has said “his chest sounds clear but just to be safe, we’ll prescribe antibiotics.” 

When we first went in, he had an eye test done and she said that his eyes were also fine. She was puzzled. But after the rounds of Baytril, he was significantly better, i would say almost completely healed. I think he needed one more round after that.

He had an appointment today. I cant drive (only have a permit) and when i was about to leave my sister was going to drive me, and my dad pays for the visits. She refused to take me, saying that he went times before and what else can they do for him. I responded, “so should i just watch him slowly die? and not do anything about it?” and she said “I just dont think theres anything else to do for him, so we’re not taking you.” and my other sister also refused. She said a lot of hurtful things about me, which should have nothing to due with Onyx and him being sick.

Long story short, and a lot of tears and sobbing later, I had to call and cancel my appointment, barely able to hold in my tears. I ended up starting to cry at the end and had to quickly cancel, without asking if they could just give me another prescription so i wouldn’t have to go through another week of hearing him be sick again.

My question is: Is there anything i could do to help him in the meantime until i can get him to the vet? His poops have gotten more moist, and he has quite a few Cecaltropes that he isn’t eating, so im planning on getting him some canned pumpkin to help a little bit. But is there anything i can do to help with his sneezing/runny nose/watery eyes for now?

[Wick & Fable]

Have you ever done an x-ray? Maybe molar roots are overgrown, interacting with the sinuses.

Another option is simply the idea that you need to do a much longer course of antibiotics or multiple in order to fully eliminate the URI. Stopping treatment after symptoms stops make sense, but for infections like that, it’s actually best to extend it a bit longer to ensure that all the infection is gone. If you stop when symptoms stop, there could still be infection left and if it’s one your rabbit’s immune system can’t handle, or one that can begin growth again once your rabbit gets stressed, it will come back. Best bet is to continue to treat a week or so after there are no symptoms to really cinch the knot on treatment.

Wick’s URI treatment was 3 months long, constant. Two weeks on Bactrim, which didn’t help, so we switched to Baytril and did that for 1.5mo straight. Symptoms improved, but never fully went away, so we added Flocillin injections with Baytril still for another month, and stopped once we ran out of medication. So a long course than standard, but if your rabbit is weaker than the typical, or if the infection clearly is a more resilient one than usual, perseverance is key.

You said you thought he needed one more course. So push for that. Any time not on antibiotics during treatment is a window for the infection to multiply and get stronger again.

You should ask your vet for a larger vial of Baytril so you can go longer without visiting the vet for another consultation to approve another course.

That’s my recommendation, based on my experience with Wick’s persistent URI.

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.

[OnyxMoon]

We haven’t done an X-ray, we were really hoping it wasn’t an issue with his teeth. But of course if it is, ill find a way to pay for it.

He did really well on the Baytril, he was previously on Bactrim twice which didn’t help at all the second time. The first time it made his symptoms go away, but second time it did nothing. Ill most likely be calling the vet soon to ask for a big vial of Baytril that i can just pick up like last time.

If i can’t get him any medicine and cant get him to the vet, ill most likely be considering giving him up to a shelter so they can give him the care he needs. It’ll break my heart without a doubt, but hopefully it wont get to that point. 

Thank you for your advice, this really helped! I was worried, and still kinda am, that he’ll never be healthy and stay healthy. 

But hearing from another bunny owner who has had to deal with a persistent URI, really gave me hope. 

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