Antibiotics dangerous for use in rabbits

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A number of antibiotics is reported dangerous in rabbits. While they help fight a bacterial infection, they bring about secondary effects like nephrotoxicity or gastrointestinal troubles that can have a fatal issue. Dysbiosis is often observed; the enteric bacterial flora, that is naturally present in the cecum and the intestines of the rabbit, is disrupted. This situation enables pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium spp, to grow in the GI tract and to produce dangerous toxins.

Here is a list of antibiotics that have been reported dangerous for use or fatal for rabbits. Please print it and store it in a safe place, show it to your vet in case he wants to give your rabbit antibiotics.

Name of antibiotic

Effect

Ampicillin	40 to 100% fatal enteritis, dependent on dosage
Amoxicillin	Diarrhea after oral administration.
Cephalexin	Diarrhea after oral administration. Injection of cephalosporin has proven safe.
Clindamycin	50 to 100% fatal enteritis, dependent on dosage
Erythromycin	Diarrhea
Lincomycin	33 to 100% fatal enteritis, dependent on dosage
Minocycline	Reduction of growth rate
Penicillin	Acute and/or chronic enteritis (diarrhea) after oral administration. Injection of cephalosporin has proven safe.
Spectinomycin	Diarrhea
Spiramycin	Nervousness
Tilmicosin	Fatal adverse reaction has been observed. The reaction seems rabbit dependent and it is advised to do a test dose of 5 mg/kg before doubling dosage.
Tylosin	Diarrhea
Vancomycin	Acute toxicity with 100% mortality

From: T. H. Morris: Antibiotic Therapeutics in Laboratory Animals. Laboratory Animals 29: 16-36.

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