Rabbit test results- need advice please!

[megg0602]

My lionhead has been sneezing constantly since we first got her a few months ago. We tried Baytril, Chloramphenicol, and Tribrissen before I finally told the vet that I wanted a culture and sensitivity test done. Posted below are the results of that test.

 

Rabbit Aerobic Culture

Source: nasal

Status: final

Direct Gram Stain:  rare gram negative rods

completed culture results:

                Pseudomonas aeruginosa- 3+

                3 BIOTYPES

 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biotype 1

AMIKACIN	Sensitive (<=2 ug/ml)
GENTAMICIN	Sensitive (2 ug/ml)
CIPROFLOXACIN	Sensitive ( ug/ml)
ENROFLOXACIN	Sensitive (0.5 ug/ml)
MARBOFLOXACIN	Sensitive (<=0.5 ug/ml)
MOXIFLOXACIN	Sensitive ( ug/ml)
DOXYCYCLINE	Resistant (ug/ml)
CHLORAMPHENICOL	Resistant (>=64 ug/ml)

 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biotype 2

AMIKACIN	Sensitive (<=2 ug/ml)
GENTAMICIN	Sensitive (2 ug/ml)
CIPROFLOXACIN	Sensitive ( ug/ml)
ENROFLOXACIN	Intermediate (1 ug/ml)
MARBOFLOXACIN	Sensitive (1 ug/ml)
MOXIFLOXACIN	Sensitive (ug/ml)
DOXYCYCLINE	Resistant (ug/ml)
CHLORAMPHENICOL	Resistant (>=64 ug/ml)

 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biotype 3

AMIKACIN	Resistant (>=64 ug/ml)
GENTAMICIN	Resistant (>=16 ug/ml)
CIPROFLOXACIN	Sensitive (ug/ml)
ENROFLOXACIN	Intermediate (ug/ml)
MARBOFLOXACIN	Sensitive (1 ug/ml)
MOXIFLOXACIN	Sensitive (ug/ml)
DOXYCYCLINE	Resistant (ug/ml)
CHLORAMPHENICOL	Resistant (>=64 ug/ml)

 

 

The vet said that she would need a compound medication to treat this bacteria, and prescribed her Orbax (orbifloxacin). After a week of use, the sneezing has not seemed to change. She still sounds very congested and makes loud breathing sounds.

Could someone more familiar with interpreting these test results tell me if that is an appropriate medicine for her to be taking?

Thanks!

[megg0602]

I should also add that two different vets listened to her lungs and said they sounded clear. They both agreed that it sounded to be upper respiratory.

[Sarita]

First off, give it more than a week for the antibiotics to work.

I’m not 100% familiar with reading these results however. It does look as well that the bacteria is sensitive to Amakacin – ask the vet about using a nebulizer with the Amakacin. Nebulizing delivers the medication in a faster way to the lungs and airways.

Orbaflaxin is in the same classification as the other “flaxins” listed on the results.

[jerseygirl]

A good decision to request a culture!

I found this guide which is quite informatiove about some of the meds for small animals. http://ratguide.com/meds/
Use the menu on the left to navigate.

Did the vet say which of the other meds from the sensitivity test they’ll compound with the orbax?  Or have I misunderstood and your bunny is now on orbax and will be getting a compounded med also?

By the way, if they are compounding something, ask if they can flavour it (something palatable for a rabbit). It may help when you have to give your bunny her meds.

[Sarita]

I think I have given the orbax to my rabbit – it is just a once a day antibiotic and I think mine came in a suspension so it didn’t have to be compounded. I think it does come in a tablet form as well so if that is how your vet keeps this medication then he probably did compound it.

[emkvet]

You need to have your vet interpret the test results for you – that’s their job! I’m surprised they didn’t do it the first time, but it’s your right as a client to go back in or call and talk to the vet about the results so you can better understand them. Don’t be shy – you’re paying their bills! =)

[Sarita]

I’m kind of surprised that the vet even gave you a copy to tell you the truth…mine have never given me a copy – I’m sure they would if I asked. But emkvet is right, ask your vet…that’s what he/she is there for and probably would be happy to discuss it with you.

[megg0602]

Thanks for the replies guys. What I was really wondering was if that orbax stuff is a compound medication. When he told me he needed to make a compound med I expected it to come in a small generic brown vial, not as a brand name drug. That’s why I am confused. Is the orbax considered a compound drug? Is it possible that he mixed other stuff in to the orbax? I just want to make sure he actually gave me what he said he would give me, which is a compound drug for each of the 3 bio types.

[megg0602]

When I picked up the med I requested the test results. I’m a bio molecular science major so I figured I could look at the test results once I get enough education to really understand them lol

[megg0602]

Also I should add that my vet is kind of money hungry and wanted me to schedule another office visit ($50) for a follow up and to discuss the test results, which is why I simply stopped in to pick up the med. i already spent $225 to get the test done

[Sarita]

Compounding is usually done (at least for rabbits) making a pill a liquid to make it easier to administer and more palatable. It sounds as if he has the orbax in a pill form and has compounded it into a liquid to make it easier to administer.

Trying to give a rabbit a pill, well, it’s extremely difficult – almost next to impossible in my opinion. My first rabbit vet gave me meds in a pill form that I had to “compound” myself and my next vet compounded it for me – I had no idea they could do that but will never use a vet now that cannot compound a pill into a liquid for me.

I bet you’ll figure out those results in no time :~) And then let us know!

[Sarita]

I read your last post – I don’t see why the vet can’t call you to discuss the results…that’s what mine does and then if she feels that we need a follow up, she’ll let me know.

[BinkyBunny]

I agree with Sarita. I have never had to go back to go over results, unless I had to view an xray type results. My vet does exactly what Sarita’s vet does.

Can you call your vet and let him know you are getting tight on funds, so ask if he could just review with you over the phone.

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