jevoyager
New Member
Hi all, I'm hoping to get some answers about coccidiosis. I took my bunnies in last Friday to get a nail trim, and the tech noticed a few poops stuck to Bilbo's bum and asked if I wanted them to get it off and do a fecal test while they were at it. I said sure not expecting to be told he has quite a few coccidia! My other bun Merida they said was ok, just a few/normal amount of coccidia showed up in her test (I asked she be tested as well since they have play time together). They gave me a 200/5 solution of Sulfameth/Trimeth, 1.5ml twice a day, for 10 days, which doesn't seem like a typical treatment from what I've read online? Everything I've read says to do 5 days on, 3-5 off, 5 days on. And after the first day or two of a higher dose, most seem to only give medicine once a day. Has anyone used these medicines before and did you have any issues using it? Does the instructions I was given seem right?
And they put this god awful red colored flavoring in it and Bilbo absolutely hates it! I'm actually afraid he might aspirate some because he just holds it in his mouth when I squirt it in with the syringe. Last night he acted like he coughed a little when giving it too him. A lot ends up on his chin. I read there is medicine you can add to water (Albon I think?) and I've thought about calling the vet office to try that instead. But then I've read some things online that indicate there's now better options to kill coccidia (toltrazuril/baycox or pancur I think? I'm starting to forget what is what) so I'm not sure what to do. Or wait and see if this works - he's supposed to be rechecked after two weeks.
I'm also worried about separating Bilbo and Merida for 2 weeks or more, since I was in the process of bonding them (I had actually hoped they could move into the same pen full time this week or next before this happened). I've read nothing but to keep bonded rabbits together, but what do you do when something like this happens?
I admit I'm not 100% thrilled with the vet I saw (the usual one I see wasn't there, and me and the vet that saw my rabbit haven't exactly got on in the past over treatment of a previous rabbit and dog). She's considered their small animal vet but she treats all animals, and I'd consider her more small animal knowledgeable than most, but not a rabbit specialist (sadly there's only one in the area and it costs like $500 just to walk in the door - I made the mistake of doing that once to have a rabbit evaluated for a tooth trim only to be panicked when told they thought she was in GI stasis and rushed back to do exrays, fluids, and treat her, only to be told a few hours later that actually she was ok and maybe it was only the beginning of stasis - found out after that office is notorious for overcharging/doing extra procedures to make a dollar, so I don't plan to go back). Anyways, the vet gave me little information and wasn't interested in spending time answering questions, just got me in and out asap. I at least managed to find out info online about how to properly clean their pens (10% ammonia soln). But I've seen so much different info about treatment I'm at a loss. So far Bilbo seems fine (he's had no diarrhea, eats like a champ, and is rather pissy about not getting out), but I figure if nothing else if things go south I'll see if I can get him in to the other vet before the two weeks are up, or another vet office that I've been told has a "rabbit knowledgeable" vet to get a second opinion. I'm hoping someone who's gone though this before may have some insight/guidance to help.
And they put this god awful red colored flavoring in it and Bilbo absolutely hates it! I'm actually afraid he might aspirate some because he just holds it in his mouth when I squirt it in with the syringe. Last night he acted like he coughed a little when giving it too him. A lot ends up on his chin. I read there is medicine you can add to water (Albon I think?) and I've thought about calling the vet office to try that instead. But then I've read some things online that indicate there's now better options to kill coccidia (toltrazuril/baycox or pancur I think? I'm starting to forget what is what) so I'm not sure what to do. Or wait and see if this works - he's supposed to be rechecked after two weeks.
I'm also worried about separating Bilbo and Merida for 2 weeks or more, since I was in the process of bonding them (I had actually hoped they could move into the same pen full time this week or next before this happened). I've read nothing but to keep bonded rabbits together, but what do you do when something like this happens?
I admit I'm not 100% thrilled with the vet I saw (the usual one I see wasn't there, and me and the vet that saw my rabbit haven't exactly got on in the past over treatment of a previous rabbit and dog). She's considered their small animal vet but she treats all animals, and I'd consider her more small animal knowledgeable than most, but not a rabbit specialist (sadly there's only one in the area and it costs like $500 just to walk in the door - I made the mistake of doing that once to have a rabbit evaluated for a tooth trim only to be panicked when told they thought she was in GI stasis and rushed back to do exrays, fluids, and treat her, only to be told a few hours later that actually she was ok and maybe it was only the beginning of stasis - found out after that office is notorious for overcharging/doing extra procedures to make a dollar, so I don't plan to go back). Anyways, the vet gave me little information and wasn't interested in spending time answering questions, just got me in and out asap. I at least managed to find out info online about how to properly clean their pens (10% ammonia soln). But I've seen so much different info about treatment I'm at a loss. So far Bilbo seems fine (he's had no diarrhea, eats like a champ, and is rather pissy about not getting out), but I figure if nothing else if things go south I'll see if I can get him in to the other vet before the two weeks are up, or another vet office that I've been told has a "rabbit knowledgeable" vet to get a second opinion. I'm hoping someone who's gone though this before may have some insight/guidance to help.
