Zonked out on antibiotics?

herbi7 · 10-15-2015, 02:45 PM

Hi everyone, my lovely bouncy Willow has developed a large abcess near her bottom (at least that's what the vet thought it was, I took her in this morning) and she has been put on antibiotics. The thing that's worrying me is she has been fine with it up till now, zooming around and playing as usual, but about half an hour after her first dose of antibiotics (i gave it to her in some sweetened porridge and she had about half of it) she is really subdued and sleepy and just sitting on her top level in a little huddle with her eyes closed. She was happy enough to come out and play just after she had eaten and seemed bouncy as usual but now she really isn't herself. It's not normal for her not to be super-lively! Is this normal as a reaction to antibiotics or should i be worried?

cypher · 10-15-2015, 10:03 PM

I'm really sorry to hear Willow isn't well herbi, has she perked up again at all since you posted this?
I've treated two different hams with antibiotics & never had a reaction like that so it might be a bit of a concern.
What's she on & what's the dose?
If she continues like this I'd give the vet a ring & see what they say.

herbi7 · 10-16-2015, 08:59 AM

Thanks Cypher, yes she did perk up again and had a little run around before she went to bed. I'd say she is still quieter than normal though. She had her antibiotics in her porridge again this morning without a fuss as she usually gets up when i move her cage first thing and checks her bowl so i just put it on the side of her bowl and she ate it. It's Baytril 0.3ml to try and help her shift the abcess and help her body clear it up, that's how the vet explained it. She has been sleeping all day and isn't up yet, which is normal for her. I'll keep a close eye on her tonight after she has taken them as it was a very weird thing to happen, she was out of it really for about 20 mins before she decided she wanted to be up and about again.

Jeir · 10-16-2015, 09:10 AM

Two of my hamsters in the past year became sleepier when they were on Baytril. The second time, I mentioned it to my vet. She seemed puzzled as it's not normally something that happens, but was happy enough to give me another antibiotic to give to my little ham for the remaining time, which didn't have this side effect.

If it helps, my first ham who had this side effect was perfectly fine. It just meant the cuddle sessions with him lasted longer than usual while he was on it. =) This actually helped a lot with our bonding, as I had only had him for a couple of weeks (the little butt hurt his paws when he decided his bars were a climbing frame; he still has one paw slightly larger than the other to this day because of how swollen it got.) and he had been the most nervous ham I've ever had.

cypher · 10-16-2015, 09:40 AM

Glad she's perked up a little anyway herbi, they do often seem a bit off colour when on meds but her reaction did sound a bit extreme, I hope the antibiotics do they job & quickly so she can get back to her normal self.

herbi7 · 10-16-2015, 01:16 PM

Thank you! Interesting that yours were sleepier too, Jeir. I think I expected some sort of reaction but not such a dramatic one... my little furball is usually a ball of lively energy and it was so weird to see her slumped and still. I'm just going through to her now to get her out tonight if she wants it, so I'll let you know how she's doing. Thanks Cypher, I hope the antibiotics actually get on top of the problem as my gut feeling is that is looks as if it could drag on a bit.. the abcess is quite large. But the vet, (who btw for anyone who lives in Norfolk, is a great small animal vet and very kind and gentle, PM me if you need details) said it's quite common for them to get that sort of problem and it will probably clear up quickly. I hope so! At least it's not causing any pain as far as I can see. The vet managed to do her exam while willow was scrambling around up and down my arms (willow doesn't do 'still' at the best of times) and didn't get in the least impatient, she was lovely.

herbi7 · 10-17-2015, 12:33 PM

Hmm, well tonight she seems to be her normal self again. I've no idea why that first dose affected her so strangely. Tonight she is running around and digging and climbing just as usual. I'm relieved and pleased that so far she has taken all her meds without a struggle. Hope it continues! 5 days to go... :/ Thanks for the replies....

cypher · 10-17-2015, 11:12 PM

I've no idea either but it sounds as though she's doing really well now, taking her meds without a struggle is always a bonus, it's so much easier if they (& you!) don't stress out over it, I'm sure the 5 days will fly by now & hopefully the abscess will heal by then.

Bertiebobbins · 10-18-2015, 12:13 AM

Glad to hear she's looking better!

I've just spent a week on horse strength antibiotics and the first dose and couple of days I felt truly awful, worse than I did before I went to the doctors! Then I quickly started to feel better. Maybe your ham felt the same effect.

velma · 10-18-2015, 02:34 AM

Glad Willow is perking up. I have zero experience with hamtibiotics (sorry, couldn't he'll myself) but I know whenever I've had antibiotics or anti-virals I've been a bit woozy for a few days so it must be equate in some way to animals. I assume partly because of meds and side effects. And partly because the body is fighting an infection which is tiring. I guess when the meds kick in they are forcing that fight so the body has to divert a lot of energy to do so.