Respiratory Infection - two weeks into meds

[alimig]

Hi,

I have a foster rat, Woody, who was diagnosed with a respiratory infection about two weeks ago. He was put on baytril and doxy twice a day for three weeks. Tomorrow is his 14th day. He was found as a stray and developed the infection about two weeks after our rescue took him in. He had significant head tilt, was wobbly, had little appetite and had a very runny nose. His head tilt and balance are improved (not perfect but much better) and his appetite is back, but his nose is still very runny. It is so runny that he is wiping it on his front paws and his stomach fur is stained (the fur is white there). He sneezes sometimes, but doesn't seem to have labored breathing. I've also noticed that he seems quite itchy, which I understand can be a side effect of baytril? He seems to be quite itchy on one leg and has worked some of the fur off there. It's not red or inflammed, just some bare spots. I also noticed that his right eye is running today, but it hadn't been runny until now.

I have a call in to the vet to discuss Woody's progress and to see if we should be doing anything else, but I would love to hear from members of this group. Could he also have mites? I see no evidence of fleas and his skin is not flaky or scabbed. I feel like he should be more improved at this point and am worried we are missing something.

Thanks,
Alison

 

[jorats]

Hi and welcome.
I'd definetily treat Woody for mites. It's always a good thing to do when you take in a new rat, especially since he's a stray.
Also he's going to need more than 2 weeks of meds to clear him up, more like 4 weeks.
As for grooming on the leg, some rats will barber themselves raw... That could be due to buggies, boredom or even stress.

 

[SQ]

If the baytril and doxy are helping keep him on them for at least 6 weeks, otherwise you might want to try a different combo such as baytril and azithromycin

Sounds like he has an inner ear infection ... treatment is usually antibiotic (baytril + clavamox or chloramphenicol palmitate) plus an anti inflamatory.

If you post the strength of the meds and his weight people could tell you if he is getting the correct dosage.
As jorats suggested, treating for mites with revolution is a good idea.

What is he being fed? How high is the protien?
Too high protein can make animals itchy too.

I assume the runny nose and eye are porphyrin?

What part of Ontario are you in?

 

[alimig]

Hi,

He is on .2 cc of baytril twice a day and .15 cc of doxy twice a day. Both are 50 mg/ml and given orally. He weighs 370 grams.

He is eating soaked martins rat and mouse blocks mixed with veggie baby food and rolled oats. He was/is having trouble with harder food, which is why I'm soaking his food. He has a good appetite now and is fairly active.

He was originally treated for an ear infection about 4 weeks ago with baytril only, along with metacam. He developed the respiratory infection about a week after those meds ended. In the meantime, we realized he wasn't treated properly and took him to a different vet for the respiratory infection.

I am waiting for a call back from the vet now to discuss extending his meds (I do think they are working) and doing the revolution.

The runny nose and eye are porphyrin. We are in Kingston, Ontario (south eastern).

Thanks,
Alison

 

[SQ]

The baytril is a bit higher then what he needs but he isn't being underdosed. (0.2 x 50 = 10 mg)
According to the Rat Health Care book, the dose for baytril is 10 mg/454.4 g twice a day for at least 6 weeks
For that dosage, at 370 g he would get 0.16 ml, at 410 g he would get 0.18 ml, at 454 g he would get 0.2 ml.

According to your numbers, he is getting 7.5 mg of doxy twice a day. (0.15 x 50= 7.5 mg)
According to the Rat Health Care book, the dose for doxy is 2.5 to 5 mg/454.4 g twice a day for at least 6 weeks.
With that dose, at 370 g he would get 0.08 ml.

(I am not a vet, just a rat owner)

You may want to check dosages with your vet.
Also, if your meds are mixed up by your vet, they are only good for a max of 14 days.
Don't give foods with calicium within 2 hours of giving him doxy

Baby cereal mixed with soy infant formula, ensure or pedisure is also good for ill or elderly rats.

You may want to check the diet section for info ....

Hope he continues to feel better and is soon well.

 

[alimig]

I have more meds and Revolution now. The vet office was super busy today (due to the holidays). I only spoke to the receptionist. She said to use the full vial of Revolution (kitten/puppy formula). I'm pretty sure this can't get right. Woody is 370 grams, can someone tell me how much to dose? I have a 1 ml syringe.

Would you recommend keeping the extra revolution and redoing it in 3-4 weeks or is one dose enough?

Thanks,
Alison

 

[lj]

No, not the full vial. You use the smallest little drop. I have used one tube on 30 rats.

 

[SQ]

What is the strength of the revolution?
The dose for revolution is 4 to 8 mg per 454.4 g of rat.
I usually give 6 mg/454.4g.
At 370 g, he should get 4.8 mg of revolution. The amount will depend on the strength of the revolution.

Usually one dose is enough, but you may want to give a second in 4 weeks ... or more likely just save it as it likely doesn't expire for quite awhile.

You treat all rats with revolution even if only one is scratcing.
You freeze any wood for at least 72 hours, wash fabric, and scrub down the cage and accessories.
Also vaccumn, etc to try to get any eggs etc in the environment.