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bacterial infections + e-c: anything better than baytril + fenbendazole

22 10:00:42

Question
Hi Dana, welcome back.  Thanks so much for all your past help, and also in advance!  Jasmine, the bunny love of our lives, is 9, 3.75lbs, and constantly surprising us with her stamina and will to live.  
12/1/09 urine test showed >40 HPF, we gave her 0.3ml oral Baytril twice a day, and by 12/24/09, no bacteria detected.  
2/24/10 urine showed no bacteria but WBC:RBC of 2-5:6-10, so we went back on the Baytril.
3/17/10  bacteria was <8 HPF, WBC:RBC 6-10:6-10.  Increased the Baytril to 0.4ml twice a day.  The culture detected acinetobacter and enterococcus, I think the concentration was 10 to 50,000, but am not sure of the units.  
3/21/10 we thought we saw a seizure, brought her in for an e-c titer.  Results came back 1-512 (again not sure of the units). started on fenbendazole 0.4ml once a day. No seizures observed since then.
My question is whether you'd recommend different meds/dosages. I don't have all the test results, but can get more specifics from the vet if it the data would be helpful to you. I don't know if the bacteria can build up resistance to the Baytril, but she doesn't show the same signs of improvement that she did back in December. Her appetite is great and she doesn't show any signs of distress like teeth-grinding, but she seems to "droop" more.
I really, really like our vet, Dr. Louis Schwartz of Overland Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles.  I don't think he's on your list of experts, but we've been to many L.A. vets on that list over the past 10 years and we like Dr. Schwartz better.
Again, I can't thank you enough for all your help!

Answer
Dear Susan,

The best antibiotic depends on the bacteria, and it's certainly possible for bacteria to evolve resistance to a particular drug, especially if it's given long term.  You might want to ask the vet about trying another antibiotic if this one isn't working, or even combining it with another (e.g., amikacin with plenty of subQ fluids along for the ride).

If the fenbendazole isn't working for suspected E. cuniculi, then Marquis (ponazuril) is another option you might want to ask the vet about trying.  

Hope she'll be fine!  Good to know about Dr. Schwartz.  To get her on the HRS list, just go to:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

and email the Los Angeles folks to suggest that they add her to the list.  We always appreciate hearing about a good bunny vet!

Dana