Zymox after ear infection?

[christmastreecarrotface]

Hi all–just had a question and was wondering if someone here might be able to provide some insight?

My little holland lop (Houdini) got an ear infection two months ago. He was acting normal all morning and then suddenly, out of nowhere, he started tilting and rolling and having lots of rapid eye movement. I took him straight to his vet and we put him on antibiotics and fluids right away and they kept him overnight for observation. 

Fortunately he bounced back really fast and for the last two months he’s been normal and just on a course of antibiotics to make sure the infection is gone. He just had his recheck exam and the vet said his ears are much less inflamed and looking better and that his ear drum looks to be intact–however when we asked if he should be started back on the Zymox ear drops he was on before she said we should wait because she still can’t see the entirety of his ear drum and it’s not worth the risk of putting him back on the Zymox and having it cause a problem.

What’s worrying me is that I’m pretty certain it was the Zymox that was keeping his ears healthy prior to this infection. He’s nearly four years old and we’ve been giving him the Zymox weekly since we brought him home. Unfortunately we ran out and missed a couple of weeks and that was just prior to him getting his first (and, thus far, only) which I don’t think is a coincidence.

I’m concerned that now that he’s off his antibiotics (he finished his two month course a couple days ago) that if we don’t put him back on the Zymox he’s going to relapse and develop another infection.

I’m wondering if anyone else has had this problem? I don’t want to hurt my little guy by giving him the Zymox if his ears can’t handle it, but I’m afraid that keeping him off it (for who knows how long?) will result in another infection.

Thanks in advance y’all. Houdini and I appreciate the advice.

[Wick & Fable]

I’m sorry to hear you and Houdini are dealing with ear troubles.

Unfortunately I have no direct experience with this, but it sounds like these are good notes to discuss with your vet. It can be intimidating to state a contrary opinion or present a hypothetical, but in the end, you spend the most time with your rabbit, so your opinions are valuable. Have you spoken to the vet more adamantly about this?

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.

[christmastreecarrotface]

Thanks, that’s so kind of you.

I’ve talked to his vet and she seems pretty adamant that we not start the Zymox for at least a month, because there’s apparently still a risk of a ruptured ear drum?

I’m just really concerned that Houdini will develop another ear infection in the time between ending his antibiotics and restarting the Zymox. She was also very insistent on pushing the ear canal surgery that’s commonly done in lops, which I’d like to avoid if we can manage it with the Zymox (as we were previously).

[Wick & Fable]

It may be worthwhile to speak to other rabbit vets in your area, and see their opinions on surgery vs. medication interventions. I’m not experienced with lops or ear infections, so I have no background knowledge; however, I have found that different vets have their preferences for treatment.

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.

[Bunny House]

Hi, there was a thread recently
about this, I don’t know if you read it but it was about a lop with ear infections. The vet also pushed them to do the ear surgery(80% of the time it doesn’t work because it doesn’t prevent an infection because the ear is still closed off to air, and my vet has done it and doesn’t work) my lop gets ear infections all the time and her immune system is low so we are giving her stimulants. What we did is a ear gram stain and see what’s in the ear. Depending on that, you choose the antibiotic- she had fungi and rod bacteria so we went with AEK ear packing and that goes in every 2 weeks for the last 3 months. Her ear canals were so swollen she didn’t think her ears could recover. She also has pen g shots given to her every week, this antibiotic is actually one that the bacteria are resistant to but it has made such a difference. You need to treat the infection at the source with ear packing. I don’t know the meds your vet gave you so I can’t help you there. Then we do repeat ear gram stains every time she goes in to see how it’s doing. After this is all done and her ears are good, we will do ear flushes every other day for the rest of her life. Those anaerobic bacteria love lop ears since there is no air flow, they flourish.
Many oral antibiotics mess up the gi tract so it’s better to use localized antibiotics to lessen the effect on the gi tract.

Can you see another rabbit savvy vet? I have seen many since my buns have serious health issues, don’t feel bad about it, but you need to be your pets advocate and you would kick yourself if something happened and you didn’t get a second opinion.

[christmastreecarrotface]

Wow, I had no idea that ear canal surgery might not be effective–they’ve really been pushing it on us and I’m determined to avoid it until it’s absolutely necessary because of the risk it poses to little Houdini.

He’s currently healthy, I’m just concerned about the month our vet has told us to wait before starting his ear drops up again. Does anyone know what the time frame for relapses in ear infections are? Do I have a couple of months where Houdini is likely going to be ok, or could he develop another ear infection within a few weeks of coming off his antibiotics?

Unfortunately, we’re pretty limited in terms of vet options where I live. The place we’re going to is the only place that specializes solely in exotic pets, so there aren’t many options for second opinions.

[Bunny House]

My lop is on AEK ear packing and peng injections. I forgot to give her a shot one week and her ear swelled back up. I personally think that you can’t have a down period of no meds if they have a history of ear infections. Many lops don’t have ear infections but I always am catious with medicine. My vet says as soon as her ears are clear we immediately start on daily ear flushes. And if the ear gram stains aren’t clear, the bacteria and fungi will grow right back and be worse.

Personally, I Would suggest to your vet that you found more info on ear injections in lops and tell them about this information on this thread. They might think twice about their next choice. I would do ear packing and ear gram stains to see what infection is in the ear and then do antibiotics that kill it (can be months) and then immediately go to daily ear flushes ( many lops have to have this since stuff gets built up in their ear and can’t break down in an anaerobic environment). I know how difficult it is to find a good vet, let alone one who deals with bunnies. You can take this info and present it to the vet or continue on what the vet wants to do. Remember, this is your baby and you want to keep him healthy and happy and the vet should respect that and come up with alternative treatments

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