Antibiotics and Rabbit Care

Most rabbit owners will have heard at some point that their rabbit should never be given
antibioticsthat antibiotics can be fatal to a rabbit. As is the case with any kind of animal, including
humans, some drugs can have life-threatening side effects whereas other drugs are extremely beneficial
to the health of the animal. It is important as a responsible pet owner to be aware of some of the drugs
that should not be used on your rabbit.
Is it true that penicillin should never be given to a rabbit?
Penicillin is a potentially toxic drug for rabbits because it upsets the gut flora (micro-organisms living in
the intestines), leading to an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridia. Clostridial species of bacteria secrete
potentially fatal toxins that are absorbed by the gut, a condition known as enterotoxaemia. Penicillin,
and related compounds such as ampicillin and amoxicillin, should generally be avoided as they can result
in a fatal gastroenteritis. However, there is one disease that necessitates the use of penicillin. Rabbit
syphilis, a rare disease that is not the same as human syphilis, is normally treated with penicillin.
Are there any drugs besides penicillin that are particularly unsafe for rabbits?
There are a number of antibiotics, as well as other drugs, that are considered unsafe for use in rabbits.

Clindamycin
Lincomycin
Vancomycin
Erythromycin
Spiramycin
Fipronil (Frontline)

Antibiotics that are given orally are more likely to harm gut bacteria than injectable
antibiotics.
Are other antibiotics safe to use in rabbits?
As mentioned before, there are some safe drugs for rabbits, and some that arent. The antibiotics in
the penicillin family are particularly dangerous because they upset the rabbits normal gut flora,
resulting in gastroenteritis. There are many antibiotics that rarely cause any changes to the bacteria in
the rabbits gut. Commonly used antibiotics that are relatively safe for rabbits include:

Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
Trimethoprim sulphonamides
Chloramphenicol
Metronidazole

This is just a short list of widely used antibiotics they are many more drugs that are considered safe
to use in rabbits.
What are the signs that my rabbit has antibiotic-induced gastroenteritis?
Signs of illness usually begin 3-5 days after the start of antibiotic therapy. Rabbits with enteritis can
show any of the following symptoms:

Depression
Lack of appetite
Stops drinking
Distended abdomen
Painful abdomen
Diarrhoea (may contain blood and/or mucus)

If you are concerned that your rabbit is showing signs of gastroenteritis, take it to a vet immediately.
This can be a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated in a veterinary hospital.
How can I prevent my rabbit from getting gastroenteritis?

Not all rabbits will develop gastroenteritis when given unsafe antibiotics. However, it is important to
always follow the directions from your veterinarian for administering antibiotic therapy. Also, rabbits
should always be fed on a high-fibre diet, whether they are on antibiotics or not. Commercial pelleted
foods are low in fibre, high in fats and simple carbohydrates. Bacteria such as Clostridia thrive on simple
carbohydrates and sugars.