Medications for nursing mothers - safe?

[Joanne]

Petunia came to me today with her litter of babies. They are all still nursing and I think are about a week old. She has a few issues:
1. A gunky eye - should I just give it a few days of observation before taking action?
Here's a pic:

2. An overgrown incisor. I am planning on having her physically restrained and just clipping the tooth off. Hopefully we can hold her still long enough. If she did have some gas, how long afterwards can the babies nurse? I am assuming by the time I got home again, it should be fine.

3. Possible mites, etc. What effect does Revolution have on nursing babies? Is it safe to apply to mom? Will it be transferred in the milk to the babies? If so, is this a good thing or bad thing? Should I just wait until everyone is older?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

1. I would just keep an eye on her eye...it might just be caused from the stress of the mites.

2. I have no idea on that, hopefully someone else will chime in.

3. According to a few sites revolution can be given to pregnant or nursing dogs so I would think it would be fine to dose her.

 

[SQ]

As far as I know, revolution is not safe for babies .... usually nursing moms and babies are coated with olive oil when they have external parasities to smother the parasities and keep their numbers down until babies are old enough.

The only meds I know that are safe for babies/nursing or pregnant moms are two antibiotics - zithro & clavamox
I would keep a close eye on her for a few days ... the porphrin around her eye could mean that she is ill but could also be caused by stress.

A vet should be able to let you know about the gas and safety, I would assume that it doesn't stay in the system too long.
I have had several rats who needed regular teeth trimming. I was able to restrain my rats and trim their teeth but it takes a great deal of patience and quite a bit time. Definately not something that can be rushed.

 

[victoria]

As far as I know, revolution is not safe for babies .... usually nursing moms and babies are coated with olive oil when they have external parasities to smother the parasities and keep their numbers down until babies are old enough.

I believe Shelagh did some research a while back and found Revo was safe for nursing cats. Maybe she can chime in in the morning.

ETA: Here's the thread: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=23447 - It's safe for pregnant rats, not sure about nursing and I'm too tired to more than skim the article.

 

[lilspaz68]

Leave the eye, it is most likely due to the tooth issue.

If you aren't sure about the mites, then leave it for now, but if you find scabs then dose her.

For the tooth? I wouldn't gas her down, see if she can be physically restrained and have just the tooth clipped. I would assume anesthetic would get into the blood and could hurt or kill the babies.

 

[Joanne]

Thanks for the input! No meds for now. I was going to get her tooth trimmed today at the vet's, but they are swamped with emergencies, so hopefully I can find someone to help me restrain her soon. I am feeding her soft foods so she can eat.

 

[lilspaz68]

Actually there's quite a few medications that are safe in pregnancy (I checked with Karen of ratguide to make sure this also meant nursing moms, and it did)

http://ratguide.com/breeding/basics/med ... eeding.php

I have had good luck with amoxicillin for URI's.