Metacam and Aminophylline? -Rest well Gus Gus

[RattusNorvegicus]

From my reading on the rat guide, I did not find any info saying these can't be given together, but wanted to double check. A friend of mines rat was in very bad respiratory distress the day before yesterday, and he spent the night at the clinic on Oxygen. He was given an injection of Dex as he was turning blue. When she brought him home yesterday he was doing a bit better, but still slightly blue. The vet gave her Aminophylline, and Baytril. I feel for him being in such a critical state that Baytril alone was not enough so gave her some Doxy to go with it. I also gave her a dose of Metacam should he begin gasping. I know Aminophylline is a bronchodilator, but do not believe it would help with congestion? So I gave her a dose of Metacam to take home should he need it.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Does all of this sound OK? I've never experienced a rat in such poor condition with respiratory disease so severe, but am trying to help with what I have read and learned. But since I am not as knowledgeable as some of those on here, we'd like your advice.

I feel out of place. I'm not trying to play vet, but I'm really doubting the knowledge and care of the vets around here.

 

[lilspaz68]

Metacam and Aminophylline are fine together, my vet often prescribes baytril/doxy, metacam and theophylline (similar)

BUT the metacam should not be given within 24 hours of the dexamethasone...that is contraindicated.

 

[Aida]

Oh wow. No idea. I know baytril should only be given to very slight respiratory infections usually in young rats, and for worse ones it has to be paired with something like doxy.. However, that's for rats still breathing on their own, just wheezing and sounding congested, etc. As you mentioned, his was really extreme, so maybe it's different in that case? Good luck.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

So Mr. Gus Gus is on Doxy+Baytril+Aminophylline, and his mommy was wondering if there is anything else she can do?

 

[lilspaz68]

How long has Gus Gus been on this combo now?

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

He started Baytril and Aminohpylline on the 22nd I believe, and Doxy on the 24th.

 

[lilspaz68]

So its technically only been 3 days on the full combo. Has there been any improvement?

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Yes, there has been. She said he is less blue, and is more active. Yesterday she said he was plateauing a bit, but certainly hasn't gotten worse.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Today he is doing MUCH better!

 

[mamarat]

Yayy

 

[Bundyrats]

That's good news. How is he today?

 

[lilspaz68]

Fantastic!! :joy:

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

The day I went with his mommy to take him to the vet, he was very lethargic, barely breathing, blue, and congested. I visited him a couple days ago and he is no longer blue and a lot more active though still very congested. So he still sounds very sick, but you can tell he is breathing a lot better. He's gaining weight too. His bottom incisors overgrow so he had lost a lot of weight but now since they are cut again he's been eating. I am not sure how he is today as I haven't talked to her about him yet, but I am sure he is still improving. :heart: He's such a sweet boy.

Thank you for asking.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Gus should be on this combo for 6+ weeks correct? I need to talk to my vet about this. She doesn't seem to be aware that infections like this need aggressive treatment. I am hoping she is open to advice. We need a Dr. Munn around here.

 

[mamarat]

That sounds good but my vet usually wants a recheck after 4 weeks. And then you give the meds for at least a whole week after the symptoms are gone.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

Gus is about back to how he was to begin with. His oxygen (Or circulation) is poor and he has a blue tinge. His breathing is very labored. He has been on Doxycycline and Baytril. We're not sure if it was his teeth that made him decline again because it depresses him when they overgrow just the slightest, or if the abs aren't as effective as they were. I am wondering if it would be best to try Baytril+Zithro along with daily Metacam. I am unsure if we should give him a dose of Metacam right now as that will eliminate Dexamethasone as an option.. Though it may not be an option as funds are low.

Or should (depending on the price) we try an injection of Lasix to see if it's his heart? Would one injection tell?

 

[victoria]

Or should (depending on the price) we try an injection of Lasix to see if it's his heart? Would one injection tell?

Lasix is not used to test for heart issues. It would help remove fluid from the lungs (I can't remember the name for the class of drug at the moment) that sometimes happens when there's heart disease. Rats with pneumonia would also likely have fluid in the lungs so it would help him also.

I think Lasix can be given orally, if I'm not mistaken, as can Dex. If you can get your vet to prescribe injections and you do them at home you can save a lot of money as there's usually a fee of some sort tacked on to the service of a technician injecting them.

I don't believe heart disease is as common as some people would like to believe, although I'm sure it can develop from chronic, long term respiratory illness. I think it's more likely respiratory and you just haven't found the right antibiotic combo yet.

 

[victoria]

Or should (depending on the price) we try an injection of Lasix to see if it's his heart? Would one injection tell?

Lasix is not used to test for heart issues. It would help remove fluid from the lungs (I can't remember the name for the class of drug at the moment) that sometimes happens when there's heart disease. Rats with pneumonia would likely have fluid in the lungs so it would likely help him if that's the case also.

I think Lasix can be given orally, if I'm not mistaken, as can Dex. If you can get your vet to prescribe injections and you do them at home you can save a lot of money as there's usually a fee of some sort tacked on to the service of a technician injecting them.

I don't believe heart disease is as common as some people would like to believe, although I'm sure it can develop from chronic, long term respiratory illness. I think it's more likely respiratory and you just haven't found the right antibiotic combo yet.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

OK, it's good to hear heart issues are probably not as common as people make them seem. For awhile I was wondering if it was the cause of all of my rats issues! But since you said that..

I wish we knew what combo would work best. I suppose Baytril+Zithro for now. Unless anyone knows of something better.

 

[victoria]

Erm... I just realized I meant to edit a post of mine to better word a phrase and I ended up quoting myself and making the corrections there :emb: