mini rex very sick

Question
I have a 5 month old mini rex.  He has diarehha and wont eat or drink anything.  I took him to the vet and they gave him an injection of Baytril.  I have to force him to eat and drink through a syringe.  The only thing that I can get down him is yogart.  I was wondering if you could tell how long this injection will take affect.  I am at my whits end and I am afraid that I am going to lose him.  Do you think that he will eat soon?  I don't know much about this medicine or if it will even work.  I guess I just needed another opinion.  I trust my vet but it just helps getting someone else to help me out.  Does it take a few days for the drug to work or am I fighting a losing battle?   Can you help?  Thanks so much

Answer
Dear Millie,

Please use this list immediately to find a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

There are many causes of runny stool in rabbits, but in young rabbits the most common culprits are E. coli or other human intestinal bacteria, and coccidia.  In such a young bunny, diarrhea can be fatal very quickly, so you need a vet who will be able to administer supportive care such as subQ Lactated Ringer Solution, and show you how to do this at home.

Please bring this with you:

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

If the bunny is still suffering from very bad diarrhea, give him Imodium (loperamide) at a rate of 1mg/kg.  This will stop the diarrhea and buy you some time, but you MUST get him hydrated via subQ fluids, since his intestine may be too compromised to effectively absorb liquid right now.

Once he's better, please read:

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

Baytril should help if the pathogen is E. coli, but it should be administered *orally* to quickly and directly contact the pathogenic bacteria.  Oral ciprofloxacin could be better because it does not have to be metabolized into the active form, as Baytril does.  Most E. coli strains from human handling are susceptible to cipro.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know how your bunny does!

Dana