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Binky

22 11:09:22

Question
I wrote to you on 6-6-06 about Binky. She recovered fully from her torticollis. The abscess on her left cheek has disappeared. She has been on bicillin since August, every other day. I also nebulize her with your cocktail once a day. I haven't noticed much of a change though in her breathing. She still sniffles, sneezes, coughs and makes gagging noises. But she is active and eats well. I have noticed for a couple of weeks now that she has been getting a little scab on her right lower lip, and I am afraid it may be another "boil" starting up. I pick the scab off but it seems to be a little tender. I am taking her to the vet, who you've spoken to several times, on Wednesday for her to look at this. My question to you is: do you think I should cease the bicillin and start her on a course of baytril again? I think that baytril saved her precious life back in June. Should I continue on with the bicillin? As always, thanks for your invaluable advice!  

Answer
Dear Melissa,

The right antibiotic depends on the bacteria causing the problem.  Please read:

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

for a complete explanation, and then you'll see why I can't recommend either Baytril or bicillin.  Only the vet--armed with culture and sensitivity results--can do that.

The gagging and hard breathing could STILL mean that she has molar problems, as in serious spurs impinging on her mouth and breathing.  Please read:

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

and ask the vet about a deep oral exam to check for spurs far back in the mouth that may be hard to see.  They can cause symptoms like this, and given her history of jaw abscess I would be surprised if she didn't have spurs that need to be clipped/filed.

I hope this helps.

Dana