antibiotics, response time & an update

Hello Everyone!

So it's been little over two weeks (16 days) since my boys have been on their antibiotics for respiratory issues. Little Rat's breathing has barely improved (very labored... his chest is moving, almost like he's out of breath), and he acts a bit pathetic. Lately all he does is get out of the cage, climb up to my bed and go to sleep. When he's sleeping his breathing seems to calm down, but whenever I see him he's mostly asleep. Personality-wise he's there occasionally when I give treats, but last night he would barely eat any peas, and I haven't seen him eat a lab block in a few days. He tends to take food to my bed, hold it in his teeth for a minute or two and finally decide to eat it... About a week ago, when he first got on this second round of antibiotics, he seemed to be doing MUCH better, but now he's plateauing a bit. And I'm starting to get worried. He's on vibirmycin and baytril twice daily, and in the evening (about an hour after the second round of antibiotics) I give him a bit of bene-bac, and have started to give him two drops of echinacea. Right after I got him, he had to be treated for a respiratory illness, but seemed to respond within a few days.

Slava, on the other hand, is responding well. I decided to put him on a second round of antibiotics because he was still "snoring," but has not had any of the problems Little Rat has.

OK: so, to the question. What is a average response time to antibiotics? Do you think he should stay on them continuously until his breathing has (visually) calmed down?

In all honesty (financially...) I'm doing everything I can to keep him healthy. My vet has a hefty visit charge (48$ per rat), and the meds cost me 60$ (so, 30$/ rat). The vet suggested that I get a lung x-ray, but I'm doing all I can afford on a grad student salary, and a lung x-ray is definitely out of the question at the moment.

Thanks again for all your help and support-- hopefully this will calm down soon!

thanks,
sarah, slava and little rat

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

What doses is he getting of each? You might catch a break and your vet might give you more abs without needing to go back in.

 

[sarunia]

ah!! accidentally logged in under the wrong name again :wallbang:

Anyway:
Little Rat is getting .3 ml of both Baytril and Vib; Slava's getting .6 ml of both meds. The difference in doses is big, because these guys are different sizes-- Slava's about 750 grams, and Little Rat's approx. half his size.

Last time the vet allowed me to "refill" the prescription without asking. I'm starting to get a bit worried with Little Rat because he just doesn't seem to be getting better (although, I must say, he doesn't seem to be getting worse, either). :?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Do you know the concentration of the meds?

 

[sarunia]

The Baytril isn't marked -- just says it's a suspension (it's the strawberry flavored Baytril).
The vibirmycin is marked as a suspension 5mg/mL

hopefully this helps!

I just need a little bit of re-assurance.

 

[jorats]

That sounds like a big dose unless your Baytril is only at 10mg. It should say on the Baytril bottle.

 

[sarunia]

I'm afraid it doesn't say...

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

How old are they? It might be worth trying a zithromyacin and doxy or baytril combo.

 

[sarunia]

My vet will renew their doxy/baytril combo, but said no the zithromax without taking cultures.

Oi. Boys are looking better today, though. Hopefully it's all up from here (even if it takes a month or so!)

 

[jorats]

If they are looking better, that means it's a good regime for them.

 

[sarunia]

I'm hoping so!! Little Rat had diarrhea this morning, and has been looking a little rough all day. I know it might be a long process... but one step at a time, right? :cuddle:

 

[jorats]

The meds can cause the diarrhea so just ease up on any fruits and veggies. When mine have soft poops, I give them soda crackers and it really helps.

 

[sarunia]

Ughh. So, the boys are about 25 days into the meds, and their symptoms are coming back (!!) Especially in Slava-- he makes this odd chesty/congestiony sound when he sleeps, and both boys are starting to make a popping sound occasionally when they breathe (I'm assume that this is also congestion). I'm keeping them on the doxy/baytril till I get paid (Friday), but I can't afford to get cultures taken or x-rays with the appointments alone costing 50$/rat.

:gaah:

I know it's gotten colder here very quickly, so I'm wondering whether or not this had an affect on them... I can only keep the heater on when I'm at home. Maybe they've caught a chill that's bringing back some of their symptoms.

Any other tips on dealing with stubborn respiratory infections?? (besides patience)

:cuddle:
sarah, slava and little rat

 

[mamarat]

It's too bad you can't get them on a Zithro and Baytril combo.

For the cold you could try covering up the back and sides of the cage with a heavy blanket to keep the heat in and give them lots of fleece. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck with your sweeties.

 

[sarunia]

Maybe I should clarify: they're symptoms are being stubborn, but on the whole they seem better (i.e. excited about food, occasionally wrestling, stealing things out of my backpack...). That little rattie spring is back in their step, but I'm just worried.

After Sasha's death I'm probably being over-observatory, but I can't help it. I might wait and see about getting them into a vet in my parents' town (where they'll be for the summer...), but they'd have to wait a bit longer to go in. I'll see how the financial situation is at the end of the week; maybe I'll be able to get them on some zithro.

thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it!


Quick edit for another question :thud:

Do any of you have any experience with the hiccuping / chirping noise?

Q. RATTIE HICCUPS
Do rats get hiccups? If so, do some make chirping sounds like a bird? If "no", do they have a respiratory problem?

I have been told by one person who breeds rats that they do hiccup and that the chirping sound is because it feels uncomfortable. I talked to a vet and he stated that they could possibly have a respiratory problem. He said they do hiccup but that it's normally silent. Is this accurate? He also said that, in general, rats are quiet, and if they make chirping or grinding noises, it could be an indication there is something wrong. Is this accurate?

A.
Your vet is right regarding the chirping noises. Rats do get hiccups and they are indeed silent. Chirping noises could be an indication of a possible current respiratory problem, or even scar tissue from a previous respiratory infection.

Grinding noises, like when they're grinding their teeth, are completely normal, but for the most part, rats are extremely quiet. Grunts, chortles, and chirps are frequently signs of impending or current respiratory infections.

(posting.php?mode=edit&f=21&p=263124)

 

[mamarat]

Also my vet is now medicating the rats for at least 2 months. I've found it has helped my rats a lot. I'm glad they're feeling better.

 

[sarunia]

Thanks for the help... I'm hoping that they're just having a bad day today with the cold outside. Guess we'll see. I'm doing everything I can possible that I can do, but I'm needing people to cross their fingers and hold their thumbs for my boys!!

 

[mamarat]

Fingers and all little paws crossed for your boys.

 

[jorats]

Keeping my fingers for your little ones.