Myco Questions

[Slapdash]

So unfortunately after months of trying different antibiotics to try and clear up Rupert, the hairless' congestion the vet determined he most likely infected with myco. Therefore, she is assuming that all of my other rats could be infected. Of the 5, two maybe three show signs of respiratory distress but Rupert is by far the worst. He is always hiccupping and sneezing when you listen to him breathe you hear the congestion :sad3: He eats and drinks well, plays, and sleeps a lot but sometimes you can see in his face he is worn out. So I am lost at what to do! I have been to two different vets and between them he's been on doxy alone, baytril alone, doxy and baytril combined, SMZMTP ped susp, and azithromycin susp (zithromax). He's been on antibiotics from as little as 2weeks with the zithromax up to 10 weeks on the others. Really nothing has made a significant improvement, I think the zithromax worked the best but that is not suggested for long term use.

So, what should I do? Continue trying different antibiotics until I find one that works well and then continue him on that long term? Or do I just find one that treats him well and use it for a couple of months during flare ups? Or do I just stop with the antibiotics all together since he eats and plays ok? When he sounds really bad I steam him in the bathroom because it does help since most of the congestion seems to be in his nose. What other things should I be doing or preparing for his future? He is 7-8 months old. As hard as this is I have to ask, if he does have myco should I expect a normal lifespan? When will things start to really do downhill? I'm sure being hairless (weakened immune system) isn't helping. Thanks in advance for any advice! :hugs:

Here is the sweet man getting kisses from his older sister :heart:

 

[jorats]

This is really a tough question. Do you continue to treat and risk getting the bug resistant or stop treatment and risk having progress to the point of no return.
Have you tried giving him prednisone or metacam with med regime? I think if he were mine, I'd probably stop and see how he is but I'd be ready to start up again if he goes downhill. You'll have to keep a close eye on him.

 

[SQ]

All pet rats are assumed to have myco.
It flares up and is treated.

You might want to try him on a azithromycin (5 - 15 mg/Ib twice a day) + baytril (10 mg/Ib twice a day) combo. This has helped a number of my rats. We have given the higher end of the dosage range for zithro. If it helps then you keep him on it for at least 6 weeks.
Lasix is given as needed when fluid is building up in the lungs ... I would not stop that if he needs it.

I have had many rats that did not respond to various antibiotics and combos of antibiotics.
Paul had kidney disease, all the others had chf. All were helped by heart meds.

If the zithro + baytril doesn't help, I would try him on an ACE inhibitor such as enalapril (0.25 mg/Ib but can be doubled) or benezapril. Enalapril is used in this way as a diagnostic tool for heat disease. If he improves then atenolol (1 mg/Ib but can be doubled) is added.
Then an xray is done and if his heart is enlarged, digoxin (0.0025 mg/Ib) is added.

 

[Slapdash]

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'm going to give him a week or two break from the meds to see how he does, then we'll be back at the vet to try some of your suggestions SQ. The vet said she'd like to hold off on the steroids as long as possible so we'll see. Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes. Any other suggestions, stories, or advice are appreciated while we ccontinue to work through this, thanks!