Pretty sure Curly has a respiratory infection and....

[LadyGray]

The Vet's here are not too clued up on Rats. So basically I'd need to tell them exactly how to treat her myself. So if you guys could tell me what to say to them i'd be very grateful!

Just to make sure, though, her symptoms are wheezing and hiccup like jolts, this comes up once or twice a week, and she never shows any signs of panicking or stress when it happens...she's very calm about it, which is why I was initially hesitant to see a vet, especially as they've been of little help in the past (not saying it's their fault - they just don't get many Rats in!)

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Have you tried "rat phoning" her to see if her lungs are crackly?

Also do you know what antibiotics you have available there?

 

[Roo]

Baytril twice a day for at least 3 weeks helped my ratty a bunch with her URI.

 

[LadyGray]

I'm certain they must have Baytril, our other vets have all had that available for our girls, so that's good. Will double check Curly's breathing tonight. Could it be something else wrong with her? because, like I said, her breathing is fine 99% of the time.

I've heard Baytril can cause epilepsy, though? i've often wondered if that's how my girl Griff got it - would they have used Baytril during a tumour removal for anything?

 

[lj]

Epilepsy is a neurological condition. A medication can't "give" an animal epilepsy, but if the animal does have epilepsy, Baytril can cause siesures.

If your pet doesn't have epilepsy, you'll be safe.

 

[DadRat]

Our vet prefers a Baytril and Doxy combo for URI's, but Baytril itself is the main concern to get.

 

[Moon]

Baytril and Doxy is the preferred combo here, (as DadRat says) but Bayril and Zithromax (azithromyacin) is another good combo for rats who don't respond to the first one

 

[arresai]

Same here B&D combo.