Small cut

Question
Hi -

Today I took my rabbit to a new vet, but the whole experience didn't set well with me. (they were the first ones that actually were more targeted at aquatic animals).
I took my 3 year old male rabbit in b/c he's got a small cut on his back (he tends to scratch hard & I think it was just his getting a little crazy when scratching) & I was hoping they could just give me a topical creme to stop the itching. He's eating, drinking & acting totally fine.
The vet seemed to be a little overkill on everything & said that it may be some sort of itching bacteria & send me home with:
Septra (Antibiotic)
Benebac(Probiotic to counter act the effects from the antibiotic)
Then a liquid medicine for the itching

I feel like all that is way too much to put into his system for just a cut on his back. The cut looks pretty good, it's scabbed over a few times, but he always scratches it open.
Isn't there an external topical creme that i can use or something?
Or is this a normal treatment method?

Thank you so much for your help!!


Answer
Dear Brittany,

Since I can't see the cut, I can't make a guess as to what's causing it.  But if the bunny is itching, there could be mites or other ectoparasites involved.  I agree with you that antibiotics are overkill, unless there is clear evidence of infection.  It sounds as if this vet might not be the most rabbit-savvy.  I would check the list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find another vet who is more familiar with rabbit medicine.  Benebac won't hurt, but septra shouldn't upset the GI flora anyway, so it's not really going to do much.  And if the liquid medication has corticosteroids in it, I would not use it on a rabbit.

If he scratches it open, you need to find out why.  I hope you'll be able to find a more rabbit-experienced vet who can help. Please also see:

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

for some possible clues.

Hope this helps.

Dana