RI - Treatment is not working - what else can I try??

[Bundyrats]

Hi, I'm sorry, I've been absent from the forum for a while (interstate family dropped in unexpectedly for a few weeks :redhot: so life was put on hold)

I got Charlotte in January and was told she was about 7 months, so she's about 14 months now and she was always a little snuffly. I put her on Baytril recently and she improved for a few days but she's been on it now for 4 and a half weeks with not a great deal of improvement. I had her on a Baytril/Doxy combo for two weeks, then tried her on Baytril/Zithro for 10 days which seemed to make it worse so now I've put her back on Baytril/Doxy. She's on Baytril only once daily and is/was on doxy/zithro twice daily. Should I increase the Baytril to twice daily? Or what else could I try? I know from this forum that I think I am trying everything I should be but I know that if I go back to my vet he will only suggest Dex injections and from there is a slow journey to the end :sad3:

What else can I do???

 

[mamarat]

Could it be allergies?

 

[SQ]

Should I increase the Baytril to twice daily? Or what else could I try?
What else can I do???

Baytril is given twice a day. So is the baytril/doxy combo.
Have ypou tried a baytril/zithro combo?
A zithro (10 to 15mg/Ib twice a day) and baytril combo often helps. Both meds are given twice a day.

If combos of antibiotics don't clear up the respir infection, you might test dose with enalapril (0.25 mg/Ib, twice a day) to see if there is a heart problem.
If enalapril helps, then atenolol (1 mg/Ib, twice a day) is added and furosemide is given as needed (beginning dose 1 to 2 mg/Ib, twice a day). All 3 meds are given for the rest of the rattie’s life.

If enalapril helps then an xray is done and if the heart is enlarged, then digoxin ( 0.0025 mg/Ib, twice a day) is added to the above drugs. An xray is done if the other heart meds are helping so you will know if digoxin needs to be added. (Not all heart problems can be seen on an xray.)
A rat with heart problems may need antibiotics in addition to the above heart meds.

 

[victoria]

Have you tried a nebulizer?

 

[Bundyrats]

Hmmm..allergies...maybe? But I'm not sure how I would know. If it is, what could I do?

SQ, how come snuffles are related to heart problems?

Victoria, no I haven't tried a nebuliser. How long and how often would I give that to her and would it clear it up completely? I have a vaporiser at home which I have used to steam up the bathroom in the past and given steam therapy to my rats. It's helped but it's never been a cure, more of a discomfort relief...

 

[mamarat]

I had a few rats and meds would help for a few days. I realized (along with vet) they were allergies and put them on infants Benadryl. It really did the trick. Eventually I could give it to them every third of fourth day and it worked.

 

[Bundyrats]

Ok, thanks. I'll see if I can look up dosage but I can only get the adults because I need a script for babies.
Would allergies still sound snotty? I guess so....it's like it's wet in there but she doesn't have a runny nose.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

My Luma has allergies (or at least something causing sinus congestion, I can't really figure it out and have tried a lot of abs combos) Benadryl keeps her from completely plugging up. Before I found something to help her she sounded awful sometimes. Allergies could definitely sound snotty, I know I can make a frightening noise when my nose is stuffed up, imagine what it sounds like to us when the rats do it! Try to give the lowest most effective dose possible as you don't want to make your rat drowsy. I noticed Lu had slept a lot more than usual. Anyway, here are a couple videos of what Lu sounded like and sounds like on bad days. If you listen carefully you can hear it's purely nasal.
http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x36 ... ent=Lu.mp4

At her worst before I had no idea what was wrong.
http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x36 ... CN3215.mp4

You can find dosages here: http://ratguide.com/meds/respiratory_dr ... ne_hcl.php
Also be sure to get just Diphenhydramine that does not contain Phenylphrine.
I may be wrong about this though, as I don't have proof that it might've been something more serious. What else do I have to believe though? Benadryl helps and that's what I sound like when I don't take my allergy pill.

 

[SQ]

SQ, how come snuffles are related to heart problems?

Sorry, I may have jumped the gun.
Sniffles aren't related.
But respir infections and lung/breathing problems are sometimes related to heart issues.

 

[Bundyrats]

SQ, how come snuffles are related to heart problems?

respir infections and lung/breathing problems are sometimes related to heart issues.

Oh I see, I think I remember you telling me that ages ago! Thanks.

RattusN, thanks so much for that info, it really helps and that is a lot like what Charlotte sounds like. I have Benadryl at home but it's the decongestant one, so it only has phenlephrine in it. I've looked up the difference on google (!) and maybe I just have the wrong one. I'm going to see my vet early next week, firstly to check that he can't hear anything in her lungs and then to ask for a script for infant benadryl with Diphenhydramine only. Because these abs really aren't doing anything for her.

 

[Bundyrats]

Also, do you think that after 4 weeks with no real improvement it is safe to stop abs? I'd like to keep my Baytril supply if I can (I greedily asked for 60ml and I got it) plus I hate squirting that stuff down her throat because it tastes SOOOOOO bad.