Antibiotics in the penicillin family (including amoxicillin), ampicillin, lincomycin, vancomycin, and clindamycin are most likely to cause digestive upset and have the highest rate of causing a fatal reaction. The best way to determine which type of antibiotic will be most effective against a particular infection is to take a sample of infected tissue (for example, a small section of the wall of an abscess, or a surface swab of the affected area), and send it to a laboratory for In some cases, the infection may occur in an difficult-to-access place, such as inside the respiratory tract, urinary tract, inside of the eye, intestinal tract or bone. recommended, calcium in GI tract inactivates drugOral use not But, once you have a sick bun on your hands, they're way less likely to get better without medical treatment than we are. Georgie showing the red irritated skin in his neck (arrow), caused by long-term injections of penicillin. Profuse, watery diarrhea (where there are NO normal or even slightly formed stools) in a rabbit is an extreme emergency (link to Medical FAQs on diarrhea) and death can occur in 24 to 48 hours after it first appears.The choice of antibiotic and route of administration are important factors your veterinarian considers when treating your rabbit.

It's always okay to ask the vet why they chose the drug they did and how they arrived at the prescribed dosage. Read this Amoxicillin Warning. May not be effective in young rabbitsGastric ulceration, often in in-appetent rabbitsAny medications dispensed or administered, or procedures performed, should only be by or under order of a qualified, licensed veterinary surgeon. Most rabbit owners will have heard at some point that their rabbit should never be given antibiotics…that antibiotics can be fatal to a rabbit. The best way to determine which type of antibiotic will be most effective against a particular infection is to take a sample of infected tissue (for example, a small section of the wall of an abscess, or a surface swab of the affected area), and send it to a laboratory for Your bunny may act normal up to one to two days before a disaster strikes, at which point he or she will develop reduced activity, loss of appetite, watery diarrhea, rapid dehydration, and ultimately can die. Antibiotics safe for use in rabbits . Tacrolimus is a macrolide antibiotic which also has profound immunosuppressive properties, particularly affecting T cells and the cellular immune response. However, because of this medicine popularity, they're too often prescribed for rabbits, guinea pigs, even hamsters.These little guys have a different gut flora that's easily imbalanced by certain antibiotics. The balance (i.e., relative population numbers) of microorganisms in the digestive system is influenced by many factors, including diet and, sometimes, medications.Some antibiotics can adversely affect the intestinal flora, killing beneficial bacterial and allowing resident pathogenic bacteria, once held in check by competition from the normal intestinal inhabitants, to overgrow. If you're concerned she is having a bad reaction to antibiotics, don't hesitate to call your vet.

Natural antibiotics such as echinacea can be used to help fight infection, and slippery elm can be used to treat digestive tract problems in your cat. Infections caused by bacteria can occur anywhere in the body.

Not every antibiotic will treat every ailment in every rabbit. Results can take up to a few days to come back. Safe antibiotics for rabbits Not all antibiotics are safe for use in rabbits. In this case, the veterinarian may need to make a “best guess” about which antibiotic is best to treat the problem.A review of rabbit physiology helps us to understand why antibiotic use in rabbits is associated with risk. A non-profit rabbit rescue and education organizationAntibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. rabbit syphilis), sometimes there is no choice but to turn to the "last resort" antibiotics. Medications used to treat skin conditions include topical and oral drugs.. Clostridial species of bacteria in turn create potentially life-threatening toxins that are absorbed by the GI tract (enterotoxaemia).

​Even vets with the best intentions can prescribe drugs that are harmful to rabbits. Does not cross blood-brain barrier and cause myiasisWarm fluids. Unfortunately, there isn't a wide selection of Monitor your rabbit closely when on antibiotics. Other safe oral antibiotics like doxycycline, azithromycin, or ciprofloxacin are sometimes given instead. In 2010 the use of FDA approved generics saved $158 billion, an average of $3 billion every week. Rabbits have an unusual digestive system, inhabited by a variety of essential microorganisms that work together to digest food.

If his original symptoms aren't improving in a few days, he gets worse, or develops new symptoms, he could be intolerant to the antibiotic or need a different type. If another medicine turns out to be a better choice or your rabbit doesn't improve in 48 hours, your vet should advise you how to switch medications safely. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. No more than 50ml/kg bolus at one time/siteAssume minimum 10% dehydration on arrival, add as appropriateEnhances gastrointestinal motility – used for GI stasisMotility stimulant. Others may relapse as soon as antibiotics are discontinued, or may have off-and-on infections lifelong.