ANYONE IN THE UK USED CONVENIA??

[mouse_chalk]

Sorry for the caps in the title.....

Basically, here's my other thread:

Chalk has another abscess

Sorry for starting another one, but I thought this bit might get noticed more. I'm really keen to get Chalk on some stronger antibiotics other than Baytril to try and kick the abscess, but we're limited over here as to what we can use. I know that FlashyMagoo said in my thread tat she has been using Convenia for her foster bunny with head tilt and has seen a lot of improvement already. My vet is very open to try the Convenia, but she would really like to speak to other UK vets to get information on the success they have had.

So, if anyone has used it with their bunny and had success, would your vet possibly be willing to speak to mine? Please post here or PM me if you can help!

I know this is a bit of a long shot, but I want to try and do as much for Chalk as I can.... and I would really really appreciate any help

Thanks!

 

[FlashyMagoo]

I have PMed you.

 

[Maureen Las]

I hope that you can work this out ....

 

[ra7751]

Umm....first, a little thought on antibiotics. There are no "stronger" antibiotics....it is a term often, but incorrectly used. One antibiotic is no stronger than another....they work if the bacteria is sensitive to them. Antibiotics have certains spectrums of bacteria that they will work on. Since I have worked so many abscesses, I can assure you that there is no way possible for Baytril to ever be effective against an abscess. The problem with treating an abscess is to use a drug or a safe combination of drugs that can penetrate that capsule of very thick pus and get to the core of the abscess. That is where the real infection is and while some bacteria that might be sensitive to Baytril might be piggy backing....the real stuff you have to get are usually anaerobic bacteria and Baytril doesn't stand a chance in you know where of working.

Convenia recently was approved for use in the US for dogs and cats. I have used it in domestic rabbits, wild cottontails and squirrels. One of my volunteers in my rescue is a licensed vet and has used it in domestic rabbits and guinea pigs. So far, so good. I think that Convenia is a little more limited in it's effectiveness against gram negative aerobic bacteria but that shouldn't come into play. One concern I have with Convenia is that if there is an adverse reaction (and that is possible with any meds) that there is little you can do to counteract it...unlike meds you give daily in which you can just stop the meds. But we haven't had that problem yet. We have not had access to this drug and used it enough to establish if we might have any long term issues. But with our limited experience, I am good with this drug. It is chemically similar to penicillin (it is a cephalosporin and as such, safe only as an injectable)...which I use a combo of Pen G and Zithromax in treating abscess concerns. We are in the US but I certainly would be willing to speak with your vet and I am sure my vet would be willing to do it also. And you must have an excellent vet....most won't even consider something like this....props to her!!

My volunteer that is a vet asked Pfizer why it said not to use this drug in rabbits or guinea pigs and the response was that they have not tested it on those species. My vet volunteered to assist with any testing since she is primarily an exotic specialist...so we might be part of any testing and that would be a good thing.

So far we have been dosing as per label...your vet will have that information. Good luck.

Randy

 

[mouse_chalk]

Thanks Maureen

For now I'm not as sure what to do, as research suggests there is a risk of it causing upset with her guts and diarreah(sp?), which is a risk I would be willing to take, but maybe not if we go away and she is on her own more. I'm not so sure if that's such a good idea- if it could happen between visits etc... (this is all still assuming we go lol) But I will definately still be looking into it for when we return, if it's needed still.... :?

 

[mouse_chalk]

Thanks Randy

My bad using the word 'stronger'- I did mean 'more effective' really but I was posting quickly and didn't think!

I had the same concern about using it- in that as it's a long lasting injection once she's had it there's no going back, so to speak, if she were to have any adverse reaction- which I'm not sure I would feel comfortable about whilst we're not here, even though she will be in very good hands. Then again, I don't like the Baytril all that much to leave her on it when it's not going to do any good. I'll definately put it to her that you're willing to talk to her if necessary- thank you

I'll discuss it a bit further with the vet in the morning and see what she says. The very fact that she's shown interest and willingness to try new drugs makes me feel so much better in itself! She did laugh at me when I told her I was part of a rabbit forum and knew lots of people that way though lol...

 

[Pipp]

Here's a note from Rami, a vet in Switzerland who works with MediRabbit, in answer to my query:


> Has anybody had experience using the cephalosporin
> antibiotic
> Convenia to treat rabbit abscesses?


As you may know, most drugs are not recommended for use in rabbits, and companies do not take a risk, when a medication is not labelled for use in rabbits. This does not mean it cannot be used safely.

Cephalosporin are regularly used in rabbits, injected form, in the treatment of bacterial infections, abscesses. More so, when the bacteria involved in the infection are penicillin resistant. Using these antibiotics means observing the rabbits during a few days though, as there may be secondary effects, like decreased appetite, soft fecals (not diarrhea), uneaten cecals. All this should stop after a few days.

Rami

I'll add that I've also heard from a reliable source that Convenia does not last as long in rabbits as it does in cats and dogs and the repeat dosage may be needed in as little as five days.

My vet (and others) tells me that treating abscesses in rabbits requires months of treatment, otherwise "they just come back or pop up somewhere else." Without reviewing her history, I'm wondering if this could be part of Chalk's ongoing issues. Have the abscesses been cultured and are they all the same bacterial strain?

I have Sherry and Lisa undergoing treatment for abscesses at the moment and the penicillin injections and oral antibiotics have been prescribed to last two to three months (although because the oral was interrupted after 18 days, they're now only on the injections, you can't stop and start antibiotics).


sas :clover: