Baytril Reaction and Many Questions - HELP!

[ratloverkyky]

Hi Everyone! I am new to this forum website, and I am looking for some good and helpful advice regarding my pet rats. Okay, here goes:

Almost 2 weeks ago, I ended up with a sick black Double Rex rat from a breeder that claimed and appeared to be so wonderful. I called the vet a few days later because Infinity (The Double Rex) was showing signs of an Upper Respiratory Infection. The vet encouraged me to bring ALL my rats in because they could be infected as well. Everyone checked out healthy, at the time, except for Infinity and Curly (my mother Rex rat that has pups that will be weaned any day now). So they gave me BAYTRIL INJECTIONS. They pre-filled the syringes with the correct dose of medicine, so I could give the shot on my own at home. I was told to give one injection, twice daily for five days to Curly and Infinity. Then they gave me 10 extra in case the other rats started showing signs. On the second day of treatment, Infinity had a little purple bruise type mark in between her shoulder blades. I didn't think much of it, because I always bruise when I get shots. I asked my more experienced rat breeder friend where the best place to give an injection would be. She said the hip/flank. I had been giving it to her in the neck because that is where the vet told me to administer it. The third day of injections, I began giving it in her hip. Today, I checked Infinity and she has two big crusty lesions on her hip and one on her neck where the purplish bruise was. I then checked Curly, and Curly has two crusted lesions on her neck, as well. I got online soon after this, and looked up "Baytril Injection Reactions", and that's exactly what they have. I was not warned or even aware of this, my vet told me it was a short needle, wouldn't hurt, and they should be better in few days....

Anyway, in my research, I found that INSTEAD of giving painful lesion causing injections, you can mix the medicine with some sort of pudding or syrup? So do I just inject the plop of pudding/syrup with the Baytril and feed it to the rats? PLEASE clarify if I am wrong on that. Also, do you think the lesions will heal and go away on their own or do they need special treatment? I tried to look this up online as well, but didn't get much helpful information. Now, all my ratties are getting sick - sniffling, wheezing, sneezing and porphyrin in their nose. I do NOT want to give any more of my fur-babies painful lesions. I don't know if the Baytril is working or not, but if not, what's next? What else can I try to cure my ratties? Any other advice you can give me on caring for sick rats, would be amazing.

Please help.

THANK YOU!

* Also, I am in the United States - Syracuse, Utah. Not sure where the base of this forum is at in the world. *

 

[victoria]

If injected undiluted, Baytril can cause some pretty nasty lesions. The good news is they will heal on their own. You can give injectable Baytril orally but you should dilute it with syrup (e.g. Strawberry Nesquik) because it is pretty harsh otherwise.

Since your vet does not seem to be very familiar with exotics, you should confirm the concentration of the Baytril you have and get your rats weight to make sure you're giving the right dose. I usually find forcing medications is easiest in the long run, especially with injectable Baytrl that is super bitter and hard to mask with food. You can get needleless syringes (either .5 ml or 1 ml) at most pharmacies and use them to measure out the right dose.

Here's a how-to video on giving meds orally made by another forum member: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-_bFMkutKk

Depending on their age, Baytril on it's own may help, you will need to give it for at least 3-4 weeks. 5 days will not be enough. I don't think Baytril is recommended for a nursing doe however... If Baytril on it's own doesn't help, you can talk to your vet about adding Doxycycline (can be given orally or by injection) or Azithromycin. Azithromycin (zithro) is also very good on it's own for young rats and safer than the other two antibiotics.

If all of your rats are sniffling, you may want to examine environmental factors - bedding, cage materials, cleaning products, air fresheners, laundry soap, the furnace and filter, etc. A cool mist humidifier can help if the congestion is caused by irritation from a dry environment.

 

[jorats]

:yeah:

BTW, welcome to the Rat Shack!