Help! Rhys is breathing wierd...

[lilratsy43]

He is fine for a min, but then he has like raspy breathing. He looks like he is having a really hard time breathing. I gave him some baytril, but I am not sure how much to give him, so I only gave him a little bit.

 

[Cityratt]

Im sure that someone else would be better suited to provide information - but I know that inorder for someone to calculate Batryl doses they'll need Rhys' weight and the strength of your meds (in mg/ml)

Snuggle him and keep an eye on him....

Im sure someone will be along in no-time to provide you with advice

 

[lilspaz68]

sounds like a URI starting up. I take it he's breathing hard at times not open-mouthed gasping?

We would need the concentration of the baytril, and his weight.

How old is the baytril?

 

[lilratsy43]

The baytril is from august of this year. Rhys weighs about 625g and the baytril is 22.7mg/ml compounded.

He is fine for a while, but if I wake him up or make him come out his breathing acts up again. Thats why I am trying to leave him in his cage in peace. Also he is hairless and my hands are always freezing so I don't want to make him cold.

 

[lilspaz68]

The baytril is expired.

 

[jorats]

You'd need more Baytril. Oral Baytril is good for only 3 weeks.

 

[lilratsy43]

The expiration date says its still good.

 

[jorats]

Are you sure it's been mixed? What colour is it? If it's injectable Baytril, then it's probably still good. But if it's oral baytril mixed with water and sugar, there's no way it's still good.

 

[lilratsy43]

Darn, Ill have to just get more then. Thanks Guys!!

 

[Jennicat]

Yeah if it's a gross yellow color and tastes like dead stuff, it's injectible and should be fine. If it's flavored, it's expired.

 

[lilspaz68]

Yeah if it's a gross yellow color and tastes like dead stuff, it's injectible and should be fine. If it's flavored, it's expired.

My injectable baytril was clear liquid (looked like alchohol) but the OP said it was compounded so it must be regular oral baytril.

 

[LA]

Injectable for me has been clear and smells very bitter.

 

[lilratsy43]

Is there anything else I could give him in the meantime? Something that wouldn't expire? I basically have a whole pharmacy here because of all the surgeries they went through this summer....

 

[lilspaz68]

Tell us the antibiotics you have on hand...

 

[lilratsy43]

Im not home right now but off the top of my head:

AMINOPHYLLINE (pill form)
DOXYCYCLINE (people kind in pill form)
IVERMECTIN (horse stuff)
SULFAMETHOXAZOLE/ TRIMETHOPRIM (pill form)
TETRACYCLINE (for birds)

There are a lot more!

 

[jorats]

I'd do the doxy, at least...

 

[lilspaz68]

I agree with Jo, start with the doxycycline...

The aminophylline is a bronchiodilator but I don't think its warranted in this case

http://ratguide.com/meds/respiratory_dr ... ylline.php

 

[jujubeespmud]

I know you posted a few days ago. How is he doing today? Have you ever used amoxy? I usually start out with that for a sneezy rat and in a few days if there is no change I will switch to another, like the doxy or baytril. Sometimes a combo of two but you really should contact your vet about this. It may be something that needs to be treated with a couple of meds.