Anyone have words of wisdom about geriatric med dosing?

[Godmother]

In humans, medication doses often have to be lowered in seniors because they don't metabolize the meds as quickly and/or the liver and kidneys can't handle them as well.

I would assume the same is true of elderly rats. I am planning to ask my vet this question, but have any of you ever had some advice about this from your vets? I don't think Debbie D's Health Guide says anything about adjusting dosages in the elderly rat.

 

[lilspaz68]

When I am medicating chronic elderlies I keep them on a minimum dosage once a dday (baytril) but am having some good luck with just doxy in these crews. I try to find the lowest dose I can give them while keeping them well.

 

[jorats]

Same here, I try to keep it lower but effective.

 

[Godmother]

I cut back on Angela's dose because she was so thin, and it seems to be doing the job. Debbie D recommends a big dose for fighting active infections, but I think that the minimum dose is half or even a quarter of that. I may have to keep the other two on a medium dose because they were having troubles a few weeks ago, but Angie should be fine on minimum.

Thanks! I have never had rats this old before, so I have a whole set of new issues.