Bacterial Infections in Rabbits

Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg

6 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in rabbits: Ceftriaxone, Chloramphenicol, Enrofloxacin, Florfenicol, Marbofloxacin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.

General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).

The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to rabbits — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Ceftriaxone(Rocephin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	25–50 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Severe bacterial infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ceftriaxone dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	30–50 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	30–50 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections when oral not feasible	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Chloramphenicol dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Enrofloxacin(Baytril)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–20 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
PO	5–20 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections (respiratory, UTI)	Strong	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	5–20 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Enrofloxacin dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Florfenicol(Nuflor, Aquaflor)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC	20–30 mg/kg	q12-24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Florfenicol dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Marbofloxacin(Zeniquin)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2–5 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	2–5 mg/kg	q24h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections when oral not feasible	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Marbofloxacin dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)

Antibiotic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	15–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections, coccidiosis	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	15–30 mg/kg	q12h	7-14 days	Bacterial infections when oral not feasible	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

All drugs cited for Bacterial Infections →All drugs for Rabbits →

Other conditions in Rabbits

Coccidiosis GI Stasis (Ileus)Sedation General Anesthesia Respiratory Infections Pain Management GI Ulceration Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.