Lung infection and sore hocks

[Bunnys_rule63]

Rubyhas been sneezing for a few days and has had sore hocks, I have been treating her sore hocks with sudacrem however the sneezing worried me so I took her to the vets this evening. It turns out she has a lung infection which I have been given antibiotics for and metacam (a painkiller) for her hocks as well as continued treatment with the sudacrem. My poor little dear, it's bad enough being ill but having two things at once is awful for her.I would really appreciate any thoughts/prayers/vibes for my girl or any extra advice you guys can give me. Thanks

Jess, Ruby and Millie

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Aww, poor Ruby! Give her a hug and kiss from me. Wonder how she got that, did the doc say what the possibilities were?

I'll be thinking of her. Get well soon sweetheart!

 

[polly]

Nose rubs to Ruby, hope she is Ok.ray:

 

[TK Bunnies]

Ohh I hope she's okay!!ray: I know what it's like.

-TK:hug:

 

[JimD]

Sending prayers and good thoughts!!

~Jim

 

[ra7751]

Best wishes to Ruby. Just wondering if the infection is in the upper or lower respiratory. Also wondering what antibiotics are being used. Lower infections are very difficult....sounds more like an upper if she is sneezing.

Randy

 

[Flashy]

Aw, poor bunny

I hope that he recovers well.

I did wonder whether the chest stuff made him sit slightly differently to make it easier to breathe, which may have caused the sore hocks? but I could be way off base there, I just sort of wondered whether they might be related, that's all.

 

[Bunnicula]

Gingivere, her bunny companions, kitty slaves, and humans all are praying for Ruby and wishing her well.

Speedy recovery, sweet bunny!

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

ra7751- The vet didn't mention if it was lower or upper respiratory infection however the antibiotic she gave me is called Marbocyl if that helps? Luckily although she has been sneezing she doesn't have a runny nose or anything so fingers crossed it isn't too bad.:?

AngelnSnuffy- No she didn't suggest anything, I don't know where it could have come from to be honest. We are pet sitting other buns at the moment but they are in quarantine so it couldn't have come from them. Hmm, its a bit of a mystery!


Moominmoo- Interesting theory, it is strange she has gotten them both at the same time however she is a rex so is prone to sore hocks, unfortunately for Ruby it might just be some weird coincidence.

 

[Snuggys Mom]

Aw, poor Ruby. I hope she's feeling better soon.

 

[ra7751]

Most likely an upper respiratory if treating with Marbocyl....that drug is not available in the US. Was a culture performed or is the vet guessing based on experience? It is highly likely the infection is caused by pasteurella (most call it snuffles but this is a terribly inaccurate term). If it is pasteurella, that bacteria is becoming resistant to many of the enrofloxacins but I guess the jury is still out on this new generation of that drug family. You might want to ask your vet about treating with zithromax which has proven to be very effective against pasteurella. If you just have sneezing with no discharge and it is pasteurella, it might well be you caught it early when it is easier to treat.

Randy

 

[naturestee]

Poor Ruby. Give her a nose rub for me! And mix her meds in something yummy!

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Thanks SM

Randy - Nothe vetdidn't perform a culture,:? she did give her a complete check over though and asked me a lot of questions about the extent of her sneezing, how often, when it started, any discharge from the nose etc and spent ages listening to Ruby's lungs and heart. My poor Rubes get so nervous at the vets though her breathing is way harder than at home although I guess the vet will have taken this into consideration as I did tell her.:?

Thanks for the tips on the drugs, the vet said to bring Ruby back in 2 weeks when her meds are finished (she is on a 14 day treatment for now) however she told me to bring her back in whenever if I am worried so I will ask about the zithromax when I next go (btw is it available in the UK?). Thanks so much for your help.


naturestee- I know I am dreading giving the meds as I know Ruby will hate it (she hated being syringe fed when she had statis a while back.) Luckily the vet gave them to her last night so I haven't had to give them yet but I'm thinking of what I can mix them up in so I wont have to stress her out every day. onder:She is not keen on banana or I would put it in that, do you think I could squeeze it onto a bit of apple or something?

 

[ellissian]

Poor Ruby.

Hope she gets better real soon!

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Thanks ellissian.

Well Ruby has just had her first lot of meds from me, I gave her the metacam on a small piece of apple which she happily ate but I thought I'd better syringe her her antibiotics as it didn't say on the bottle that it could be mixed with food.:?She is so good at being syringe fedit but she always knows what I am up too now and wont come near me so I can't pick her up, I feel bad for her but it's for her own good.

 

[Michaela]

Oh no! Poor Ruby :tears2:

Sending lots of prayers and vibes from me and Ruby's bunny friends in Ireland :hug2:

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Thanks Michaela.:hug2:

I was just doing a bit of research on syringe feeding (Ruby hates the antibiotic, not that I blame her it smells horrible!:shock and I found this

"Yogurt or acidophilus are strongly recommended when your rabbit is receiving any type of antibiotic to keep normal gut flora."

from here: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/medicating.html

I was just wondering whether you guys recommend giving Ruby a bit of yogurt every day while she is on the antibiotics (1.5ml once a day for 14 days) to help keep her guts healthy? And if so what type of yogurt, I'm guessing a pro biotic type?
Thanks

 

[aurora369]

Rabbits are lactose intollerant, so it's not reccommended to give them milk products past the age of infancy. What you can do is find the pro-biotic in powdered form, mix it with water or juice and feed that way. Acidophilus is easily found at most health food stores.

--Dawn

 

[LuvaBun]

Oh Jess, I am so sorry I missed this! Poor Ruby. How is she doing today?

I wouldn't think that the yoghurt would do any harm. I tried to give Pernod some when she was being treated for the bites, but I think she thought I was trying to poison her, and wouldn't touch it :?.

How is Milly - has she shown any signs of it?

Give both of them nose rubs from me and a big hug to yourself

Jan

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Ruby is doing ok thanks Jan, she is acting normally although still mad at me for syringe feeding her meds.:nonono:Although she likes her daily 'metacam' apple treat.:biggrin2:Millie is fine thankfully, I asked the vet if she would be ok and she said they should be fine staying together so I'm just going to keep a close eye on them, I think they should be better staying together though, they would just be depressed if I separated them.

Thanks for the tips on theyogurt and acidophilusas well guys.