if an antibiotic doesn't work...update

[pscychopomp]

If an antibiotic isn't working for a URI, should you keep using it until you get something else? Or stop? What if you can't get new meds for a week or so? What does it mean if it WAS working, but some symptoms started again (on and off) after a couple weeks of treatment? (while still receiving meds)

 

[MumsyRat]

Probably should try something else. In the meantime keep them on their current meds but maybe check the dosage and make sure what you're giving is correct.
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm

Make sure their housing situation is clean and dust free.

A small piece of dark chocolate can help relieve harsh breathing, at least for a while. Use a piece the size of a chocolate chip and make it as dark as possible. Milk chocolate is no good.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Is there any chance you have a timeline you could write out explaining when and what symptoms started then when you started meds and what meds your rat was put on, when symptoms went away, when they came back etc just to give ppl a better idea of what has taken place?

 

[pscychopomp]

I know when I started medicating but I don't have an exact time line for when symptoms started. It started with Thora, the rat I got from the pet store, and everyone just seemed to catch it one by one . Thora and Freya have been on doxy for 6 weeks as of yesterday, my newest girl and Luther are at 5 weeks, and then the newest boy is at 4 weeks. I read that 6 weeks is best. There didn't seem to be any symptoms for awhile, but the last couple weeks I'm hearing occasional sneezing fits and sometimes see them doing what looks like silent coughing.

As for their habitat, I stopped using boxo which I found dusty and made them sneeze when they rooted around in it. I keep their cages clean, the only thing I can think of doing is changing their fleece daily.

 

[pscychopomp]

Just to add that Thora and Freya's sneezing had gotten worse sounding by the time I got them on doxy. With the others I started them on it pretty soon after symptoms in an attempt to kill it off quick.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I would suggest you try a doxy/baytril combo for at least 4 weeks and then if the symptoms return then you will have to see about other treatment options.

 

[pscychopomp]

But should they stay on doxy until I can get baytril?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

How long until you can get the baytril? I dont personally see any point in continuing with the doxy and you will want to make sure the doxy doesnt expire before you get the baytril.

 

[lj]

How old is your rat?

 

[lilspaz68]

So the only symptoms are occasional sneezes and possibly hiccups?

 

[pscychopomp]

Yeah if those are hiccups. They will sneeze a bunch of times then clean their faces, do that 2 or 3 times. Thora used to have long sneezing fits, and you could see where porphyrin was sprayed. Her and Freya would also sometimes do a really big sneeze/cough (I'm not sure how to describe it), but that hasn't happened since being on doxy. With Luther I saw him do the hiccup thing once in awhile, which someone on here said is a sign a myco flareup is on the way, then eventually he did get sneezy too...the other 2 got it soon after I got them.

Their ages range from approx 4-6 months.

 

[Rattus]

I think I know what you mean by hiccups! When they hiccup to day make the tiniest faint squeek and their body kind of jolts but only a tiny fraction?

 

[pscychopomp]

Yeah, except I don't hear any noises, but maybe I'm not close enough.

 

[Rattus]

Its extremely faint sounds.. maybe thats not what it is but if it is thats nothing, they are just talking and their body does like a minni jolt, from what I've read. You cant always hear them because they make noises too high pick for us.. but they jolt.. but if I cant see it then you never know that might not be it.

 

[Alicemcmallis]

What does it mean if it WAS working, but some symptoms started again (on and off) after a couple weeks of treatment? (while still receiving meds)

This usually means that the antibiotic is the correct one, but you're not giving a high enough dose of it.

It could also mean that another type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic has developed into an infection and that another antibiotic needs to be used.

 

So the only symptoms are occasional sneezes and possibly hiccups?

rats hiccup? lol

 

[pscychopomp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOggFatMC8
There's a video I found showing the 'hiccups', I don't think they're really hiccups though.

and thanks Alice, I'm pretty sure I was giving a high enough dose, I probably need to add Baytril to the Doxy.

 

[Rattus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOggFatMC8
There's a video I found showing the 'hiccups', I don't think they're really hiccups though.

and thanks Alice, I'm pretty sure I was giving a high enough dose, I probably need to add Baytril to the Doxy.

Oh! yes, dont worry about it lol dont panick, that is nothing, every rat i have ever had does that, they also do that when they are talking(which you cant hear) :nod:

 

[Rattus]

What does it mean if it WAS working, but some symptoms started again (on and off) after a couple weeks of treatment? (while still receiving meds)

This usually means that the antibiotic is the correct one, but you're not giving a high enough dose of it.

It could also mean that another type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic has developed into an infection and that another antibiotic needs to be used.

That is great to know! Cain started to improve but it stopped and now is just staying as is, breathing extremely heavy but active, and he spits out or doesnt eat some of his meds.... hmm I dont know what I'm going to do with that little F***** LOL he makes me so made, hes so stubbern :roll:

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Oh! yes, dont worry about it lol dont panick, that is nothing, every rat i have ever had does that, they also do that when they are talking(which you cant hear) :nod:

Actually sometime the "hiccupping" motion can also be the sign of a myco flare up or other resp issues.