Baytril - side effects?

[FabioandFreddy]

Fabio has been on baytril since last Friday to combat the stubborn cellulitis he had in his left hind. He also had a potion of flamazine, steroids and antibiotic applied topically and bandaged. We changed that yesterday and *touch wood* the swelling has gone down, no pitted odema, just down one side still quite scabby and slightly raised so vast improvement.
However, he is now refusing to eat the feed with baytril in. He ate them until yesterday morning where he just point blank refused it. Not overly surprised as it is supposed to be nasty! He even refused a normal dinner without it in so guess he's just suspicious now. Not like Fab as he is VERY greedy. He did eat a bucket of sloppy grass nuts though so obviously not completely off his food. We had to syringe the baytril in last night which I didn't want to resort to but had no choice if he's not eating it in his dinner.
The main problem is, I don't think he's drinking much. Buckets are a lot fuller than normal and not really seen him drinking. This has only been the last 2 days. He did have a bit of a drink when I carried a bucketover to him, but not much. Is this typical of being on baytril? I can make some really sloppy grass nuts for him to ensure he is getting fluids and will ask the vet when they call me back later. I've had a good feel and listen to his stomach which is gurgling. He's on the baytril until sunday -unless the vet wants to carry on for slightly longer. After how long its took to sort the cellulitis I don't want to stop too soon. But it's obviously making him miserable so as soon as he can stop then the better.
Also, if anyone has had to syringe it, have you diluted it with anything and if so, what?

 

[mystiandsunny]

We had it in solution - expensive bottles of the stuff! I syringed it in as my mare won't eat her feed if ill anyway, let alone if you put medicine in it! She drank ok but didn't eat a lot - never does as being ill stresses her out and she only tends to eat haylage. It was amazingly effective though.

 

[dianchi]

Might be worth chucking a bucket of water over haynets as well just to keep water intake up!

Otherwise you can put apple juice into water buckets to encourage more drinking.

Good luck fighting the celluitius its a ******!

 

[Andalucian]

???? Never had it to put in feed, only. Ever had it given IV by a vet, one big shot, job done.

 

[splash30]

I have the same problem, my horse is on baytril long term and has only just started eating it after a long battle and by adding scoops of nuts which he loves but not good for his energy levels or waist line.
I'm surprised as it doesn't smell of anything but he hates it so must be a horrible taste.

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Felt particularly horrible tonight as he ran out the field shelter when he seen me and OH go in with the head collar as he knew what was coming. He obviously knew as I'd been in and out all day and he stood for me fine! I made up some custard with extra sugar and syringed him some of that after to get rid of the taste. Poor boy. He managed 5 days of it in his food. The one he decided not to eat i put most of a jar of golden syrup in after and he still wouldn't touch it. Been out every 2 hours throughout the day with half a bucket of water with some grass nuts in so at least know he's now drinking.

 

[Sneedy]

My chap was on Baytril long term last year for a very stubborn sinusitis bug, I didn't even attempt to get him to eat it as he's very fussy!! Was syringed everyday. Didn't notice any issues re not drinking. As dianchi said can you feed wet hay?