Have You Done a Nasal Cleansing?

[Bundyrats]

My poor Meesha, she has been on Baytril twice daily for a week, then once daily for a few days now but today she is not looking too good and having a bit of a hard time breathing. I put her on Baytril because she was snuffly and making little congested snorting noises and she improved a bit. I have also been trying steam therapy but it's not working out too well. Meesha doesn't like it much. I just gave her another dose of Baytril tonight and already she seems a bit better. I will go back to twice daily for a bit longer.

But my question is, I was talking to a vet who is out of town that works with rats and she said she squirts saline into the sinuses via the nostrils to clean them out and to stop/slow progression of the disease, allowing them to breath easier. I am not comfortable with doing this (she said I could do it at home) as I think it would be too stressful and what if they can't breath at all after because of the fluid in their nose or what if I do it wrong. Anyway, I can understand the theory of it but I've never read about this on the rat shack before....she said steam therapy and saline therapy are both very benefical and as I mentioned before I've tried steam but it's not a big favourite at the moment.

Also, what else can I do to make Meesha's breathing easier? Hopefully the Baytril will kick in again....

 

[jorats]

I've done that. Seems to really help when their nose is very wet and congested. I buy the saline spray safe to use on babies or young children. Hold it near their nose and spray. They clear up for a few hours after.

 

[Bundyrats]

Thanks so much Jorats. I was thinking of a syringe with saline solution and trying to squirt it up there but a spray is probably what the vet meant. I'll go get some today.
What can I do long term to help her? Just meds?

 

[Bundyrats]

So I've given Meesh a saline spray tonight & I have to say thanks again Jorats, it's really made a difference for her. She's almost breathing without a sound for the first time in ages. I have an appointment at the vet on Monday anyway so he can listen to her chest. She's on Baytril too so we'll see what happens. But I bet she feels much better for now.

 

[jorats]

So I've given Meesh a saline spray tonight & I have to say thanks again Jorats, it's really made a difference for her. She's almost breathing without a sound for the first time in ages. I have an appointment at the vet on Monday anyway so he can listen to her chest. She's on Baytril too so we'll see what happens. But I bet she feels much better for now.

Some rats seem prone to chronic nasal congestion. You might find that you will be able to stop the spray for a little while but start up again when it begins again. It definitely helps. I'd also keep her on Baytril unless the vet gives the all clear. Keep us posted!

 

[crumbilina]

Is this just something you could buy at a regular drug store in the baby section? I'd love to give this a try with Yoshi!

 

[mamarat]

Yes you can buy it there. And it has helped quite a few of my ratties. Mine is Tylenol non-medicated infants and children nasal drops/spray.

 

[crumbilina]

Is this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Tylenol-Child-Soo ... B001P0EU7S

I think so, but just to be sure

 

[rattytat]

Thank you so, so much for this info. One of my male rats is a prime candidate for this. He started a round of baytril on Tuesday, but the vet was somewhat reluctant to give it to him because his lungs are clear and other than the nasal/sinus condition, he appears in good health. We were looking at allergy related problems, and I've made many changes and it has helped to some extent, but the problem keep coming back. Off to the drugstore this evening! Thanks again for this infor - I'm always amazed at the things I can learn on the Rat Shack forum :bow:

 

[MumsyRat]

Thanks Bundyrats and Jorats! I've learned something new today and I'm sure this knowledge will come in handy sooner or later!

 

[victoria]

Thanks Bundyrats and Jorats! I've learned something new today and I'm sure this knowledge will come in handy sooner or later!

:yeah:

 

[jorats]

Is this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Tylenol-Child-Soo ... B001P0EU7S

I think so, but just to be sure

I'm looking at my bottle now but it doesn't look like the one in the link. Although, it's says the very same thing. Non medicated, infants and children's nasal drops/spray by Tylenol.

 

[crumbilina]

I got it this afternoon.
I think the one in the link is an old version. The new version looks like this:



Now to figure out how to do this! Any tips/suggestions? bundyrats, how did you do it?
I already feel bad for doing it and I have not yet done it lol!

ETA: LOL I took a picture of the french side... oops! you get the point tho
The english is on the bottle! haha...

 

[jorats]

You hold it upright, hold the rat, nose, close to the tip and squeeze.

 

[crumbilina]

lol! I figured as much, but having it laid out certainly helps.

I'm gonna need to have a lot of cheerios handy lol!

PS: sorry for hijacking the thread

 

[jorats]

lol! I figured as much, but having it laid out certainly helps.

I'm gonna need to have a lot of cheerios handy lol!

PS: sorry for hijacking the thread

At first we were not holding the bottle upright so it was just drops coming out which is pretty useless for the rat. It's good for me to point out that the bottle should remain upright and the rat held or standing above the tip before squeezing.

 

[Bundyrats]

Meesha took it really well, I was quite surprised. I tasted the stuff first and it's well....it's just mild saline...obviously. So I covered her eyes pointed it at her nose and squirted a few times. The stuff I have gives a really good vapourising spray and her little muzzle and head were quite wet by the time I finished :giggle: But yeh, I couldn't believe that she really didn't care. How did you go Crumbilina?
The stuff that I bought also came with an aspirator to suck any goop out after spraying but I only got one wee little pink droplet out of her nose after.

 

[crumbilina]

Glad it worked well for you! Is it reducing the symptoms for her?

I did a test last night. I basically let Yoshi sniff the nozzle first so that she wasn't scared. Then i squeezed it a bit to give a bit of a spray and got the best look from her ever. She sat there for a second, sneezed, turned her head to the side kind of questioningly sitting for a bit and looking at me and then tried to smell the bottle again LOL! I think it will be easy to do. I will do it at medication time this morning.
She is kindof strange. If I keep her on baytril she makes no noises, but the second I take her off the baytril she begins making noises again. SO I think I will have to stop the baytril and see what the spray can do for her. I would really rather not keep her on baytril if a saline spray can help her just as well...

 

[Godmother]

Thanks so much for this info! Very useful to know, so i will add this to my first aid kit.

 

[Bundyrats]

Yes, it works instantly. And I think it is slowly reducing her snuffling. Crumbilina, my Meesha is just the same; good on Baytril but as soon as she's off it, she starts making little noises again. I am going to the vet tonight so will see what he says. I'd like to take her off the Baytril and see what happens. I will let you know but it's so nice to hear her breathing clearer.