doxy, enro, zithromycin,trimethsulfa &amikacin didnt work:/

[temblabamomo]

Wolf was sneezing his butt off end of July, so was on the vibramycin shot for 2 weeks beginning 8/3 (useless), then on to doxy/baytril oral combostarting mid-August. No change, so before his next appt I tried him a couple days on kiddy benadryl in case it was an allergy, no change. Started zithro/doxy combo on 9/11. No change as of this morning, 9/24. If anything, he's a bit worse

I've tried changing his bedding from fleece to the recycled paper bedding he used to be on in case fleece was bothering him. His fleece is washed with baking soda and white vinegar and put thru rinse 2 - 3 times depending on stink factor. It's changed out every 3rd day. The outside weather has changed drastically, but inside hasn't changed a bit. Nothing is helping, I'm inclined to think it's not an allergy.

Wolf is still bright and bouncy, but I know he is bothered by his sneezing. I feel so bad for him. He's been through way too much to end up with a sneeze problem. We have the vet tomorrow, Dr. P will rattle off some meds, probably start with clavamox, then talk about nebulized antibiotics, and tell me that there's no telling which is best at this point. What would you guys recommend next?

 

[hopefloats]

maybe he has allergies and not sick?

Have you tried daily doses of benadryl on him?

 

[temblabamomo]

maybe he has allergies and not sick?

Have you tried daily doses of benadryl on him?

Yes. Per 2nd paragraph, I tried changing bedding. I can't think of any other possible allergens. We don't use candles, sprays, perfumes, etc. I clean his cage with white vinegar mixed with water, but went two cage cleanings without using it, just in case. I only did 2 days on the benadryl as it didn't seem to be helping.

 

[hopefloats]

Pollens and so on can be an allergen to them. Just like people who are allergic to some things in the air they can be as well. It isnt always something in contact but rather what they are breathing in the air. The only thing left med wise is amoxicillian there are some other drugs they use for rats you can look at the medical guide on the ratguide.com and get some ideas from there. Their noses are more sensitive than ours. He could be smell the things on your cloths or body and that could make him sneeze as well.

 

[SQ]

Azithromycin (10 to 15 mg/Ib) + baytril combo

 

[jorats]

What does the vet say about the lungs? Do they sound clear?
My mom's Sven sneezed his whole life. Vet figured was some type of allergy.

 

[crumbilina]

Try clavamox.

When i was at the end of the list of meds to try for endless sneezing, I tried clavamox and it worked! They were on both clav and baytril.

You could also try chlorpalm, but I would reserve that for very very very last. It has worked for a couple of my rats, but its hard on the stomach and some will refuse to take it altogether. My rats will take clav right from the syringe.

 

[temblabamomo]

Dr. P will probably want to try clavamox next, I'll ask him if he's cool w combining it with baytril.

@ Jo, his lungs sound a touch rough as of lastg appt., but nothing to be seriously alarmed about per Dr. P. I actually thought his rat phone sounds improved a touch on the doxy/baytril, but I can't be sure. We'll see tomorrow.

 

[jorats]

If his lungs are actually clear and it's only in his nose, it could be either an irritant, or scar tissue in the nasal passages or a slow moving virus/bacteria which will eventually make it's way down to the lungs.
Was Baytril/Zithro combo tried?
If it's an infection of the sinuses, I would definitely try Clavamox.

 

[temblabamomo]

urgh. At my wit's end! Dr. P wanted to try trimethsulfah and nebulized amikacin. Wolf gets stressed for nebs, so its not ideal treatment. His sneezing continues. We are back on doxy and baytril because he was sort of kind of maintaining on that. The weather has changed drastically. He seems sneezier on the same days my sinuses are a mess due to weather. I need Dr. P to gauge lung sounds, I can't hear. He's still quite active and happy and comfy. Just snezy! Clavamox will probably be next. If he feels good and its not getting into his lungs, then fine. I'm just so worried about this having an impact on his quality of life. I refuse to let this go to his lungs.

 

[Godmother]

Frustrating for you! I have a rat who sneezed a lot from the time I adopted him. Lungs sounded fine to the vet, and he seemed otherwise OK, but the sneezing became more forceful over time. I was advised not to give abs unless he developed obvious breathing problems.

A few weeks ago, just after Stella's death, his breathing got congested. I tried Clavox and Baytril first, and it helped a bit. I decided to try Baytril/doxy using the dose recommended by Debbie Ducommun.

The sneezing stopped! I heard one tiny sneeze a week ago, but that's it. I cant help think that Simon's sneezes were a sign of lung irritation caused by Myco.

So you are on the right track. Chlorpalm would be worth a try if the Baytril/Doxy is not effective.