HELP! Baytril overdose in Dwarf!

catatonia · 04-05-2019, 05:07 PM

URGENT - Please help!

I just administered my sick dwarf hamster's first dose of Baytril, and I realise I measured 0.2ml instead of 0.02 as prescribed!

Luckily only about half went in due to difficulties administering but that's still 5 times what he was meant to have - I am freaking out - will this cause serious damage or kill my hamster? Is there anything I can do? It's the middle of the night on a friday, I can't call the vet or anything for help.

souffle · 04-06-2019, 12:18 AM

Your hammy likely didn't swallow that much of it so it's unlikely to have major effect but I would call the vets in the morning to check what to do.
I hope your hammy is OK. What is the treatment for?

Pebbles82 · 04-06-2019, 01:09 AM

Try not to worry too much. If not all of it went in it may have the effect of a one-off booster dose against infection - the main issue may be increased side effects, so just monitor your hammy carefully in case they become unwell. As Souffle says ring the vets this morning - they should have an emergency number. The main thing is to just monitor your hammy - but the vet may have advise on what to do if your hammy becomes unwell.

catatonia · 04-06-2019, 01:30 AM

Thanks so much Serendipity and souffle, sadly the vets aren't open again until Monday, but I have monitored him all night and he seems to be doing ok...

He was prescribed Baytril and Loxicom painkiller (he only gets that once a day though so luckily stupid me didn't misadminister that!) for 7 days due to an infected and inflamed cheek pouch.

He was just starting to get better yesterday so I was distraught I might have gone and poisoned him on top of everything else! But he does seem to be doing ok still - he came out and foraged his dry food in the early hours of this morning, which is great (he hadn't shown any interest in food or drink, or even moving, for days before yesterday, so any self-motivated activity and interest in food is a win in my book right now).

I gave him his (correct dose!) of painkillers this morning and he seemed as alert, energetic (and willing to struggle) as he's been so far. I also read a scientific article which said Baytril is very low toxicity even at high repeated (over 10x) doses, which relieved me a lot- I think I will just keep an eye out for if his stomach gets upset, and try to find something probiotic for him today. I'm also going to hold off on giving him any more Baytril for a day or two, as the few things I read of similar situations online, the vets said to just miss the next few doses. Fingers crossed my little guy keeps getting better and I didn't make it worse for him!

Pebbles82 · 04-06-2019, 01:41 AM

I am not sure it would be a good idea to hold off on the Baytril because the infection could get worse if the antibiotic is stopped. The antibiotic is fighting the infection throughout the course - and along the way the infection fights back - eventually, by the end of the course, the antibiotic wins the fight! If you stop it, the infection could flare up and the bacteria become immune to the Baytril, so it's important to give it every day. How many days has your hammy been on it? It would need at least a week.

I would just carry on giving it in the correct dosage, especially as your hammy seems fine. Probiotics is a good idea. Are you in the US? If so Benebac is good. You can just mix a bit into some food like a bit of mild baby food or a bit of porridge. I am currently using it for our robo. I think it's supposed to be best to give it at a different time of day to the antibiotic.

catatonia · 04-06-2019, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I am not sure it would be a good idea to hold off on the Baytril because the infection could get worse if the antibiotic is stopped. The antibiotic is fighting the infection throughout the course - and along the way the infection fights back - eventually, by the end of the course, the antibiotic wins the fight! If you stop it, the infection could flare up and the bacteria become immune to the Baytril, so it's important to give it every day. How many days has your hammy been on it? It would need at least a week.

I would just carry on giving it in the correct dosage, especially as your hammy seems fine. Probiotics is a good idea. Are you in the US? If so Benebac is good. You can just mix a bit into some food like a bit of mild baby food or a bit of porridge. I am currently using it for our robo. I think it's supposed to be best to give it at a different time of day to the antibiotic.

I totally understand about the antibiotic course, I was only going off what vets advised others in similar situations :/ I'm certainly hesitant to give him more this morning, as he probably still has a lot in his system, and I don't want to make it worse! He's supposed to get 0.02ml twice a day (morning and night). Perhaps I should just miss this morning?

I'm in Copenhagen, and sadly don't have access to any large pet stores which stock that kind of thing - I think I will have to resort to either natural yoghurt or a teeny tiny amount of human probiotics? I've seen both recommended on other threads. Do you have any suggestions?

Edit to add: He's only been on the Baytril two days - the vet administered two treatments and had pre-dosed the syringe for the first night. So today is day 3. I was told to give him the meds for 7 days (not including the day before) so he should be on it for 8 days total.

souffle · 04-06-2019, 02:37 AM

I'd hold on the morning dose and give him the evening one.
You can give him the probiotics for humans. Yogurt doesn't always agree with hamsters and could upset his tummy. Some soft food like porridge or baby food might be appreciated if his mouth is sore.
Hope he is better soon.

catatonia · 04-06-2019, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

I'd hold on the morning dose and give him the evening one.
You can give him the probiotics for humans. Yogurt doesn't always agree with hamsters and could upset his tummy. Some soft food like porridge or baby food might be appreciated if his mouth is sore.
Hope he is better soon.

Thanks a lot souffle, that's what I was thinking.

He's been out again foraging (he doesn't seem to want the baby food, mushed up veg or fresh veg on offer, only his dry food mix) - I'm just so pleased to see him active and interested in food! Hopefully I didn't make his experience too much worse! I will go back to the Baytril tonight (as much as he will hate it) in the correct dose of course!

Appreciate all your support <3

alpacassei · 04-06-2019, 03:37 AM

I accidentally did the same thing the first time I had to give a hammie baytril (sorry Stephano) luckily he was completely fine and he was a very small russian dwarf hamster. Just keep an eye on him but he should be okay

Pebbles82 · 04-06-2019, 07:48 AM

I read an article that said human probiotics aren’t the same. The only one that is helpful for small pets is lactobacillus and then the dose needs to be right.