metacam dose for rabbits

Question
Hi there! Can you please tell me the dose for metacam and baytril for an adult netherland dwarf approx. 1.5-2 lbs only. We are working through an ear infection (white exudate) using oticlens & otomax. Thank you very much, Janelle

Answer
Dear Janelle,

I would recommend that you find a good rabbit vet who is experienced with treatment of rabbit ear infections:

www.rabbit.org/vets

since if the vet you're seeing prescribed only an ear cleaning solution and otomax, it's likely that the vet is primarily a dog/cat vet.  Otomax is generally not considered a medication of first choice for rabbits (corticosteroids are not recommended, except in a few unusual circumstances), and I don't know any experienced rabbit vets who use it.

Our rabbit vets prescribe Baytril (or any of the fluoroquinolones) at 20mg/kg once every 12 hours for the first five "loading doses" and then back down to 15mg/kg for the duration of treatment (at least two weeks, but possibly longer, depending on the infection).  Metacam is generally dosed at 0.1 - 0.3mg/kg once every 24 hours.

But I would NOT assume that Baytril will be effective against this infection without a culture and sensitivity:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html

And certainly would never give either of these medications without the supervision and guidance of an experienced rabbit vet.  Both of these medications have risks and possible side effects, and the vet will know whether your individual rabbit is a good candidate for these medicines, given these risks.

Hope that helps.

Dana