[Gpdd] HEALTH: Hershey's last stand

[warmbreath at comcast.net]

Hi Joanie, I am continuing to research,  the three drugs that are commonly 
given for e.c. are   (Albendazole( Albenza, Eskazole, and Zentel), 
Oxibendazole, Fenbendazole (Panacur), which are members of the Benzimidazole 
family, and one new drug studied in a paper by Esther Van Praag the owner of 
medirabbit.com called pyrithramine, her article is here 
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/cuniculi/pyrimethamine.pdf

Flagyl ( metronidazole) is in the same family  as the ones ending in -zole, 
but I have never seen it used for e.c. Flagyl would be given in dogs and 
cats for worms and protozoa, I dont know why it doesn't work or isn't used 
in buns and go.up.'so. I think your vet thinks she has e.c. covered but she 
doesn't. The Oxibendazole or Fenbendazole are the ones I see used , I 
suggest a switch, one of the references thinks the Oxibendazole  works best.

I did find that e.c is usually treated also with an antibiotic because the 
parasite munching in her brain causes abscesses which become infected, the 
cause of death is a type of encephalitis, and there is an inflammatory 
response which is why baytril is often given together with the anti 
parasitic drug AND the NSAID metacam which also treats pain, so for e.c she 
needs 3 different kinds of drugs above including one of the three -zole 
drugs, plus she has to be slowly weaned off the Cisapride article below 
Please take the time to read these, hopefully I have been clear enough that 
you can convince the vet, but I have been reading for hours every day and 
have not found flagyl used in rodents for e.c

The diarrhea was probably caused by the Cisapride, Baytril doesn't commonly 
cause it, banana is good for giving pills, you hide the pill in a dab and 
put it in her mouth. Have you watched the vet feed the Critical Care? I 
watched my vet and she got a lot more in than I did. She held him up in her 
lap, while I had him more in a normal standing position.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/cuniculi/pyrimethamine.pdf  this is 
an article  instructs about e.c. Dont worry
Please know that I have no interest in making you more miserable, but I dont 
think this vet has correctly diagnosed e.c. or treated it properly. For e.c. 
not only is the ant given, but the Baytril and the NSAID Metacam I mentioned 
in the previous letter, it not only reduces the pain but reduces 
inflammation which is a side effect of the parasitic protozoa . As you read 
these article you will see the specific progression of the infection. First 
she had the hind end paresis which is typical of the beginning infection, it 
goes to the kidneys then works its way up the spinal cord to the brain, 
where the head tilt comes in, the effects to eyes of nystigmus, and she can 
go blind it can affect her facial nerves.

Here is an article written on allexperts by Dana Krempels PhD that will help 
explain your vets choices, I'm hoping the word guinea pig Can be substituted 
for rabbit, that is what I have based my advise on, note the article is not 
about e.c.  The stasis link is the same one I gave you last week
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/Sick-bunny.htm  please note this 
article also refers to ileus which is interchangeable with stasis

If it were to turn out that she has an ear infection the Baytril and Metacam 
would be indicated for that , here is a link about antibiotics in guinea 
pigs:
Guinealynx says "They describe the PLACE rule as a rough guideline for 
antibiotics to avoid. [PLACE -- penicillin, lincomycin, ampicillin, 
amoxicillin, cephalosporins, clindamycin, erythromycin] See Dangerous 
Medications for a more complete list of medications that have caused serious 
problems and sometimes death when used on guinea pigs."  Here is the whole 
link.

Between Dana Krempels and Esther van Praag you have the 2 finest rabbit vets 
and researchers I know of
If you have an questions please ask, I have thrown a tone at you Best 
regards
ps i wont be avail Saturday going to a Pearl Jam concert