True or False: Antibiotics should be used with caution in rodents and rabbits; many antibiotics, like penicillin, are too harsh on their gut flora.

• A. FALSE
• B. NOT SURE
• C. SOMETIMES
• D. TRUE

Answer: (D)

Rodents and rabbits rely on a delicate gut microbiome in their hindgut to break down fiber and keep digestion functioning properly. When antibiotics are given, especially broad-spectrum ones, they can wipe out many of the beneficial gut bacteria. This disruption—dysbiosis—can lead to gas buildup, slowness or stoppage of gut movement, and sometimes life-threatening enteric disease. Penicillin and similar antibiotics are known to be particularly harsh on this gut flora, so in these species, antibiotics must be used with caution and always under veterinary guidance. If antibiotics are needed, the choice is carefully made to minimize impact on the gut microbiota, and monitoring for signs of GI upset is essential. So the statement is accurate: antibiotics should be used with caution in rodents and rabbits because many antibiotics can be too harsh on their gut flora.