Recurring URI - Meds to Request?

[TorachiKatashi]

My poor old man is showing his age - he's lost his hearing and developed HED, and is now developing a cataract in his left eye. Bless his heart, though, he's running (or, well, dragging himself) around the house like nobody's business. I took the shelf out of his cage to avoid any possible falls. I thought he might miss the extra space but if nothing else, I think he's relieved that he doesn't have to go up and down the ramp now. Oskar and Vin don't mind it, either, since now they get two shelves for their half of the cage.

Whiskers has the starts of another URI, unfortunately. I suspect at this point that his recurring respiratory issues are a result of 18+ months on pine/cedar bedding prior to coming to live with me. I want to make him as comfortable as I can for however long he has left, so I'm going to call and make an appointment for him in the morning. Baytril on its own doesn't seem to quite be doing it for my little guy, or at least, it doesn't keep those URIs from coming back. It's been about two months or so since his last URI, I believe. So at this point I have two options; I can put him on Baytril permanently, or I can do six weeks of Baytril and something else that might help. I haven't spoken to the vet yet, but which course of action do you guys think I should suggest? If I decide to do six weeks of Baytril and another medication, what other medication would be best, given his other medical concerns? I haven't seen this vet yet, but Ratty Momma swears by him, so I expect he should be willing to try whatever you guys think would be best.

 

[crumbilina]

You could try Doxycycline and Baytril... That tends to work in combination.

You can also try Baytril and zithro. Zithro is a huge favourite here! They LOVE the flavour!

I have one rat who gets a recurring URI every month or so and she is put on baytril and clavamox. If she is on doxy/baytril or baytril/zithro the symptoms do not go away... but on baytril/clavamox she does well. That may be a third option if the first two combos don't work. I went through this whole process before finding baytril/clavamox with my girlie.

Other people may have some good suggestions too

ETA: I doubt these combos would effect your boys current issues (the HED and cataracts) but I am not 100% sure. Sometimes with eyes, medications can mess with the pressure in the eye and I dont know if these are some of them. Just something to keep in mind. I'm sure your vet would not give you any meds that will harm his current conditions... but ask just in case

 

[DadRat]

We have had mixed results with Zithro, as it gave Greg an upset tummy. But the Doxy/Baytril combo has worked well for us.

That being said, we have had some of our elderly rats on permanent ABS.

 

[rattytat]

Mike has been on baytril by itself, zithro by itself and a combo of doxy and baytil. That worked or is working the best. Good luck.

 

[rattytat]

Also forgot to mention that he was put on predisone the same time as the doxy/baytril combo. Dr. D. thinks that he will be on the pred for the rest of his days