Draxxin
Pasteurella Treatment in Rabbits[edit | edit source]
Official Status[edit | edit source]
There is currently **no FDA-approved, on-label treatment** for Pasteurella multocida in rabbits.
Off-Label Treatments[edit | edit source]
- Draxxin (Tulathromycin)* appears to be the most effective off-label treatment and may potentially cure Pasteurella when caught early. Early administration—at the first sign of sneezing or white nasal discharge—has been shown to eliminate the bacterium within approximately 72 hours in pilot studies. More trials are needed to confirm consistent efficacy.
A 2017 study by Edrees, Abdellatief, and El-Sharkawy evaluated the effectiveness of tulathromycin in experimentally infected rabbits:
- Edrees, N., Abdellatief, S.A., & El-Sharkawy, A. (2017). *Efficacy of Tulathramycin in the Treatment of Respiratory Pasteurellosis in Rabbits*. Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 5(12), 477–485. DOI: [10.17582/JOURNAL.AAVS/2017/5.12.477.485](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Efficacy-of-Tulathramycin-in-the-Treatment-of-in-Edrees-Abdellatief/be26b70bdee671eb3a4b0723e1a4a32409aef421)
The study concluded that tulathromycin significantly improved clinical signs, reduced mortality, improved growth performance, and normalized biochemical and hematological parameters in infected rabbits. Histopathology supported the observed improvements.
Regulatory Notes[edit | edit source]
Veterinary zoologists and Dr. James W. Carpenter (author of *Exotic Animal Formulary*) have attempted to gain FDA approval for Draxxin as a “black label” drug for Pasteurella in rabbits. However:
- Rabbits are considered meat animals.
- FDA requirements for meat stock: minimum 60-day dry-off, with 120 days recommended until slaughter.
- Black-label use is therefore restricted to pet rabbits or rabbits not intended for consumption.
Its not that it doesn't work its setting protocol FDA has been balking at
We did a barn trial on select cull rabbits to test it's effectiveness outside of a laboratory setting, and it had an approx 95% effective rate as a single dose on a 7 day trial. Rabbits that showed mild symptoms were given a follow up dose 7 days latter and all but 1 has full cleared. we would like to pursue a grant and full study to test this further in hope of getting Draxxin approved for on lable use.
