My Bindi Bear

[LittlePuffyTail]

So, my little man is having more problems. Before Christmas, I noticed his right ear was full of yucky smelling goop. Another infection. We did a culture and sent it away. I figured it was a different infection than his usual because it was really awful smelling and usually it’s not that bad. Just got the results yesterday. A bacteria resistant to his usual treatment of Baytril Otic. The last infection, the same thing. We had to use an ointment called BNP. This new infection is resistant to both those treatments and I’m starting him on oral meds this morning. The name on the bottle is TMS. I just give a tiny tiny amount. Twice daily for 10 days. Really hoping it’s not going to bother his stomach. 

He’s been having some problems these past few months with excess cecals but I think I may have solved that issue by reducing his veggies. 

Please send us some Vibes that this infection is cleared up soon and that he reacts okay to the meds. 

[Gina.Jenny]

(((Bindi))) healing vibes x

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Poor Bindi, get well soon little fellow!

[Bam]

((((((((Bindi-Loo))))))))

Get well soon, Bindi!!!

I looked up TMS, it seems to be Trimethoprim/sulfonamide. Listed as safe by Medirabbit. It can of course cause stomach upset, like all antibiotics, but you know that already.

[sarahthegemini]

Wishing Bindi a speedy recovery *bunny kisses*

[pinknfwuffy]

Lots of vibes and hugs, Bindi-boo. Get well soon, little one.

[Vienna Blue in France]

((((((( All the vibes in the world little “Bindi Loo on a pine tree” ))))))

[LBJ10]

Poor Bindi.

Once you get this cleared up, have you thought about using an earwash periodically? I wonder if it would help prevent infections. Might be something to ask the vet about.

[Bam]

LBJ’s uidea soubnds really interesting! There could perhaps be some suitable earwash like the type people who frequently get swimmer’s ear use? It’s aim is to acidify the ear-canal so the environment becomes unfavorable for bacteria.

[Jessica]

Lots of hugs and good vibes to you and bindi.

As Bam mentioned acidifying the ear canal can help greatly. For my grooming clients with chronic ear issues, specifically drop ear breeds like cocker spaniels we would recommend cleaning out the ears with white vinegar. Just get a cotton ball pretty soppy and then gently clean as much of the ear as they could. They extra liquid works into the ear canal. We would recommend doing this every 2-3 days, and weekly in between infections. I have seen this work wonders on dogs who had such chronic infections that the ears would be swollen nearly shut. You will need to check to see if this is safe for bunnies, because I do not know. The other thing that helps is more air flow. I don’t know if Bindy would tolerate it but if he would let you use a soft scrunchy to keep his ears up for a couple of hours each day.

[LBJ10]

The vet have me a special earwash for Wooly. It’s meant to acidify and dry the ear canal. I’ll have to look at the bottle when I get home.

[tobyluv]

I hope that Bindi will respond well to the new medicine and that the infection will clear up very soon.

[Q8bunny]

Poor sweet pooh bun
Sending lots of ((((((vibes)))))) and cuddles and rubs and kisses for his curmudgeony little head.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, everyone.

Since he gets so many infections, a couple of years back we did try doing an ear flushing with a cleaner (the one I used was called Aveena Sativa) regularly but it seemed to make them even more frequent. One of the problems with B’s ears are that the canal is so narrowed from the frequent infections and any moisture trapped in there is a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s so very frustrating. If this doesn’t clear up soon I will def talk to her about trying another ear cleaner.

[Q8bunny]

Idea: can you sew little bunny-sized earplugs out of silk, and fill them with rice, and pop them in once a day to absorb excess moisture? I know it sounds crazy, but…

[Bam]

Looked up Avena Sativa. It’s LTin for oats and seems to be an ear-cleaner with oat extract. Drops against swimmer’s ear tend to have acetic acid and alcohol, so there could be other varieties of drops to try. Most ear drops for cats and dogs seem to have some form of corticosteroids in them, and as we all know, that’s not good for buns

[LBJ10]

Bam – the one I got from the vet is meant for dogs. No steroids though. It specifically designed for dogs with chronic war infections.

[Sr. Melangell]

Posted By LBJ10 on 12/30/2016 3:49 PM

Bam – the one I got from the vet is meant for dogs. No steroids though. It specifically designed for dogs with chronic war infections.

LBJ10, I just looked that up for dogs, sorry dear did you mean chronic ‘War infections’ or ‘wart infections’? I Googled it and it came up with WW1 stuff.

[Sr. Melangell]

Bindi get well soon x

[LBJ10]

LOL, no, autocorrect changed “ear” to “war”. I have no clue why.

[Q8bunny]

Chronic war infections sounds more dramatic – perhaps your autocorrector spends a lot of time watching Downton Abbey, LBJ?

[LBJ10]

Hmm, that’s certainly possible.

[Sr. Melangell]

Oh I’ve got that Edwin Starr song going through my head now.

Auto correct huh.
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.

How is Bindi today LPT?

[LittlePuffyTail]

He seems okay. Eating his breakfast. Only had 2 doses of the med so far. It’s such a tiny amount. 0.07 ml. Hard to measure such a small amount. Assuming it’s something really potent. Don’t want to do any research online about the med because it will most likely just make me worry. I’m just watching his appetite and poops really closely (so just a regular day ).

[Bam]

I’m glad he seems to be tolerating it. Medirabbit says it’s bunny safe. It’s commonly used with horses, maybe that’s why the dosage is so low.

BindiBindiBindi!!! (It’s the first white bunny day of the year, I just remembered!)

[LittlePuffyTail]

Horses? Really…that’s interesting.

I’m going to give his ear a really good flushing out tomorrow and then hopefully we will see the meds starting to work and it won’t fill up again so quickly with smelly goop.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I gave Bindi’s ear a really good flushing last night. It’s awful how much stuff gets trapped in his ear canal. Crossing my fingers it won’t fill up again.

[Bam]

I’m crossing my fingers too! Does he like getting his ear flushed? It sounds like it could be relieving for him.

(((((Bindi)))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

He doesn’t seem to mind too much. It’s a huge relief for me to see a nice, clear ear canal. The problem is when I clean them regularly, his ears tend to make even more gunk to protect themselves. Very frustrating.

3 more days of meds and vet apt. on Tuesday. Crossing my fingers.

[Nibbles]

I hope he’s doing well! (((?)))

[Bam]

(((((Bindi))))

Keep us updated.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks.

He’s doing well on the meds. I was worried it would upset his tummy but he’s been doing great. Ear is all gunked up again but not as bad. We will see what the microscope reveals on Tuesday.

[Bam]

Yay, I’m glad he tolerates his new meds! Keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesday’s results!

[cinnybun2015]

((((Bindi))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

So vet tonight. Unfortunately, I’m not very hopeful. His ear is still really smelly and I’m concerned because I don’t think those meds are something he can be on long term.

Last night, he was showing some signs of stasis poops, weirdly shaped and a bit mucous covered. His overnight poops were okay though and he seems fine now.

Poor guy, I’m gonna have to super bundle him up to go to the vet. We’re having a really cold deep freeze day.

[Jessica]

Poor guy,

Love and hugs for you and bindi

Have they run a culture on his ear gunk? I’ve had dog grooming clients that they had to do this in order to find the best treatment that would effect the bacteria or fungus that was causing the infection

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Aww, poor bun. Let’s see what the vet has to say this time.

[Q8bunny]

Poor little snowbun
I hope the vet figures out something effective that he tolerates well
((((((healthy happy Bindi with seashell pink ears))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Well, I was right. That one ear still has bacteria in it. Back on the same meds for 14 days. I really hate him being on oral meds. Sigh…..

[pinknfwuffy]

Awe, Bindi boo. I hope this round makes some improvement Lots of vibes from Olaf and I.

[Bam]

Kisses for Bindi!

[Reesebun]

Get well soon, poor Bindi! Was the infection only in one of the ears, or was it in both but one of them was healed (I don’t know the word for getting rid of an infection, so I just chose healed) already?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Jessica, Yes, he had a culture done. He gets chronic infections and this particular one is immune to the drops that usually clear it up.

Thanks, Reece. The infection right now is only in one ear. He’s been getting chronic infections in both ears for years, although most of the trouble has usually been with the left. This is a bacteria that the only thing my vet could find to fight it is an oral med, unfortunately.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Awwww Bindi Loo in a Pine Treeeeee, you can do it. Be strong and take your meds..
(((((( go away nasty bacteria )))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Just a quick update. Not much to report but for those Bindi fans who are wondering. He’s still on his meds for a few more days. His ear is looking better. Less gunky. His tummy is handling the meds well, thankfully. Recheck Tuesday evening.

[tobyluv]

I’m glad that Bindi’s ear is getting better. I hope that he continues to improve and gets a good report at his next vet visit.

[Bam]

Here’s a Bindi-fan who loves updates like these! You go, Bindi-boy!

[Vienna Blue in France]

It was obviously my singing that helped the recovery….

[LBJ10]

Bindi Bindi Bindi!!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Vet visit today. There was still a bit of bacteria but the vet is not sure if that’s just normal bacteria that can be present in the ear or if it’s still the bad stuff. So we had to do another culture which sucks because of the wait time and the cost.

And I’m still concerned about his ear because it still has that awful smell.

[LBJ10]

I don’t know if this has been brought up yet, but have you thought about having his ear closed?

[Q8bunny]

I’ve never heard of that – what is it, LBJ?

[LBJ10]

Ear canal ablation. They do it for dogs and cats with chronic ear infections. One member had it done on their bunny and it was, as far as I know, successful.

[LBJ10]

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surgery/Ear/ear_surgery.pdf

[LBJ10]

And here’s Megabunny’s thread:
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/134036/Default.aspx

[Q8bunny]

Cool! That’s so interesting… Thanks, LBJ

[LittlePuffyTail]

I have thought about that when he was younger. I don’t think I would put him through that at his age. He’s gonna be 10 in the Spring.

My vet had mentioned it a few years ago but it’s not something she does. I would have had to look around for another vet and possibly even take him quite a few hours away to the veterinary university in PEI.

I wish I would have had it done years ago. At this point, I think it’s too late. I think it’s something that we’re just gonna have to keep dealing with case by case.

[LBJ10]

I agree. I think I would be too worried about his age as well. Unfortunately, I think that happens to all of us. There is always something we wished we would have done in hindsight.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So update on the bear…..got the results this weekend. The good news is that the rare bacteria is gone. The bad news is that his regular bacteria is back. But no more oral meds, this can be treated with Baytril Otic. Treatment for 10 days and then re-check.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Well, it’s definitely good news that the rare kind of bacteria is gone. There are few things more worrying than a doctor going: “That’s odd…”.

I hope his other infection will clear up soon. No more oral meds will really help his tummy.

[Q8bunny]

Aww… sweet pooh bear. Hope his darling floppy ears clear up soon

[jerseygirl]

That is good! Less stress in his system hopefully.

Do you think doing a regular vinegar wash like Jessica mentioned would be worthwhile after infection is cleared? If that’s not too acidic for rabbit ears, that is.

Or even using colloidal silver, I wonder?

[LBJ10]

That’s great LPT!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, guys.

I’m gonna talk to the vet about trying a new ear cleaner. Something that might help dry his ears. The only problem is that his ears are always full of gunk (a mix of wax and pus from all the infections, gross, I know) and the more I clean them, the more stuff they produce to protect themselves. So it’s a difficult situation.

The vet also ordered him some probiotics which will hopefully help with the overcecal production he is still dealing with.

[Bam]

I’m so glad he’s doing better

[LittlePuffyTail]

10 days of Baytril Otic finished. Vet tomorrow. I have some other concerns that my little guy is not doing so well. Some things to discuss with the vet, but a lot of it is just Mother’s intuition. Will update after apt.

[Gina.Jenny]

((((Bindi))))

[Bam]

(((((Bindi)))))

[Q8bunny]

((((((Bindi Loo))))))

[Vienna Blue in France]

((((( Bindi Loo ))))) ? it’s not fun getting old, is it sweetie..!?.

[LittlePuffyTail]

 

So back at the vet today. This is getting really expensive. Every vet visit for the past 5 times, we’ve had to do an ear culture and those are $150. The vet wants to make sure that rare bacteria doesn’t cause anymore issues. She saw some bacteria on the slide today that were not overly abundant but “weirdly shaped” so we did anther culture. She said to keep him on Baytril Otic until we get results. 

I’m just really concerned about my little bear lately. Like, I mentioned, mostly a mother’s intuition but he just seems off. Not very active, and half the time, doesn’t really want to come out of his condo for run-time. His breathing has been a bit rough lately and although that’s pretty normal for him as he’s had several sinus issues but it’s getting worse so she prescribed some metacam to see if that calms things down and, if not, we’re going to do an xray. 

He’s also lost weight. From 4,9 to 4,1. I’m surprised by how much. His weight fluctuates up and down like that from time to time and I usually give him Critical Care to help put weight back on but the vet’s office was out and won’t have more till next week. 

It’s hard having a bunny get old, especially when it’s a bunny who’s had so many problems all his life. My poor little guy. But I’m thankful he’s still with me, after all we’ve been through. 

[pinknfwuffy]

Awe, Bindi. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be going through this with him. Trying to manage his comfort and your finances. It can’t be easy. I do hope he is feeling a bit better soon, at least enough to enjoy his playtime. Sometimes it is a blessing to know our rabbits so well and sense their change, other times it can be disheartening. Olaf and I are sending lots of good vibes and hoping his testing comes back okay. You’re clearly doing all you can to keep him as happy as possible. You know your little bear the best. I want to hug him to bits. <3.

[Luna]

Luna and I send many nose rubs…((((Bindi))))

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Tough little guy, hope he’ll pull through this as well. It must be so frustrating to see a companion age and get health problems

[Bam]

Bindi Loo, please get well! You You know you have a huge number of fans all over the world, we’re all rooting for you!!!

[Boston's Mama]

Aw Bindi – Oakley is sending well wishes from across the world

[MimzMum]

Oh LPT, I’m sorry to hear our lovely Bindi is not doing so well. I am in much the same situation, as Mimzy is really slowing down now; still having issues with his own ears, his back and hips, and that right rear leg that, while there is no obvious infection there, still gets urine scald and needs constant attention. I’m really worried about his overall condition…as you said it’s a bunny mum’s inner voice nagging at me that things are not well.
He just finished a month’s round of baytril (oral tablets, liver flavored, yuck!) and you can always tell about a week later he just doesn’t feel so good. I am not certain if this is from his gut trying to regulate itself or he has some systemic bug that just won’t stay down unless he’s medicated and the vet won’t give me any more for him. >

Keeping you and precious Bindi Loo in my thoughts and prayers and I really hope he will be okay. Totally get the money thing too, it’s extortionate what vets charge these days, even if they are good ones. How on earth are we supposed to keep up?
(((((((((((((((Huge hugs)))))))))))))))))

[Q8bunny]

Bindi Loo, you sweet bundle of teddy bear fluff, you need to get better, you hear? Your mommy’s worried and your aunties love your scrunchy little face too much to put up with mean old germs bothering you. Seriously, my little old dude… imagine buckets of sunshine raining down on you all the way from Kuwait. I send delicious cheek rubs and Chewie sends friendly nose boops
(((((((((Bindi Loo)))))))))

[Reesebun]

I hope you get better Bindi!

[jerseygirl]

More good health {{{vibes}}} and kissies coming over for Bindi !
I forget how long his fur is! Must be so soft.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So little update. Got the culture results back. That rare bacteria is still there. But not in as large amounts as before. He’s back on the oral TMS for 5 days and they ordered me an ear cleaner to try. One that balances PH levels. It better flippin help because it was like $50.00.

Re-check in 10 days. I’m really hoping there will be no bacteria next visit. For Bindi’s health obviously, but also because these cultures are getting really expensive.

[Q8bunny]

Darling boy… paws crossed for a clean ear next time ((((((Bindi Loo))))))

[Luna]

I hope the ear cleaner works out. ((((Bindi))))

[Bam]

I so hope the cleaner will work! My SO gets swimmer’s ear really often and he’s tried lots of antibiotics- and corticosteroid drops, but the best thing has actually proven to be pH-balancing (=acidifying) drops with a low percentage of alcohol. And that’s of course great. They’re more expensive than the abx/cortison oinments though.

[Azerane]

Poor Bindi Hopefully he’s on the mend soon and stops costing his mummy lots of money.

[jerseygirl]

I have everything crossed that the med and drops will help you get on top of this! {{{Bindi-Loo}}}

[Vienna Blue in France]

I think cuddles with Kyle will help

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Get well soon, Bindi dear!
And yes, those acidifying drops work like a charm. I got them too for chronic swimmers’ ear, after nothing else worked.

[Q8bunny]

Maybe I should try them too during scubadiving season

[Vienna Blue in France]

Posted By Q8bunny on 3/03/2017 5:55 AM

Maybe I should try them too during scubadiving season

Yeah, maybe… but personally I’d go for a tank on my back attached to a thingy in my mouth if I had the choice !! 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, guys. Will keep you updated. The TMS is only for 5 days so hopefully it won’t bother him. He was fine last time. And the ear drops/cleaner are 2 x daily for 20 days. Fingers crossed.

And he’s on 3TBSP of Critical Care on top of his regular food so hopefully that will put his weight back up. Next apt. I’m gonna get his teeth checked. His weight usually goes down when the spurs start getting long.

[Gina.Jenny]

((((Bindi))))

[Jessica]

Hugs for bindi and you

For dogs with chronic ear issues ph balancing is key, hoping that this proves to be true for bindi too!

[Q8bunny]

Well, far be it from me to be conventional in my water activities

(((Bindi)))

[pinknfwuffy]

Hugs and snugs for Bindi-loo. <333

[LittlePuffyTail]

Bindi had his apt. yesterday. The twice a day cleaner/drops seem to be helping. His right ear is completely cleared up but the left still has just a tiny amount of bacteria. We are just gonna stay the course though as it’s such a miniscule amount and hopefully by his next check up, it will be perfect. He needs his teeth done in a month or so, so she will check his ears out again then.

[Luna]

That’s great! Good to hear that the new ear cleaner worked out.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

That’s a huge relief, keep going strong Bindi!

[Bam]

I’m so happy to hear this!!! Yay for our Bindi Bun!!!!

[Author]

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