Still sick after 2 weeks of doxy and 5 weeks of doxy/baytril

[Sam]

Hi everyone,

So I posted before about my adopted rat Lucy. She's had labored, wheezing/loud and really fast breathing, red discharge from her nose, and fluctuating weight since I got her about 8 months ago. She was on Doxy twice a day, 3mg each dose so 6mg a day, for two weeks. After the two weeks, she was put on Doxy twice a day (3mg each dose) and baytril twice a day (6mg each dose) for 6 weeks. We are in the fifth week right now and she has shown NO improvement at all. Seriously, she hasn't gotten any better. After finishing with the last of the doxy/baytril twice a day, I will be going back to the vet. I have spoken to her recently and she has no idea what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[lilspaz68]

Is she just a noisy breather but is active and normal the rest of the time? Or does she hang her head off of ramps and shelves to help herself breathe? Not active anymore, etc?

 

[mamarat]

Maybe your girl has allergies?

 

[Sam]

Maybe your girl has allergies?

Hmm... I don't know about allergies. How would I be able to tell between allergies and myco? When I first got her, her breathing didn't sounds so bad, it got worse over time. I use paper towels and real towels for bedding. Other than that, there's card board boxes in their cage. Could she be allergic to any of these things?

Is she just a noisy breather but is active and normal the rest of the time? Or does she hang her head off of ramps and shelves to help herself breathe? Not active anymore, etc?

No she is active and is otherwise normal. Could she not be sick after all? Is it okay for her to be "oinking"?

 

[jorats]

It could be a very stubborn infection. Have you tried Zithromax?

 

[Sam]

It could be a very stubborn infection. Have you tried Zithromax?

No just doxy and baytril. When I go back to the vet's should I ask her to look into Zithromax?

 

[Godmother]

Yes, Zithromax would definitely be worth a try. You have given Doxy a good trial. Zithro/Baytril can work very well. If those don't work, there is always Chlorpalm. Hope she responds soon.

 

[jorats]

We've had persistent lung infections in our rats where only zithro and baytril combo stomped it out.
It's worth a try.

 

[Sam]

So she's getting Zithro/baytril now, but it won't be until Tuesday. I still have some Doxy left. How do we feel about a doxy/zithro/baytril mix :lol2: ?

 

[jorats]

I think 3 meds would be overkill. I'd drop the doxy. I often time find that doxy stops working after two weeks anyway.

 

[rodentmama]

With my most stubborn URI rat we finally bought a nebulizer used and then used it to aerosolize Gentocin. The ratguide.com has Dr. Michael Hutchings protocol for using gentocin. My vet said that for Spike, pulse therapy would be good to maintain his breathing...one week a month going on the gentocin as prophylactic. Unfortunately Spike didn't get better and in the end it was suspected he had asthma. But a couple other rats I have did well on the gentocin mix. Get them used to the nebulizer first and I always put lots of treats in for them to keep busy. I also have a long hose so the noisy machine is kept far away from the rat in the chamber.