Toby **Update Jan 2/2010**

[Joanne]

I recently started one of my girls on Prednisone as her respiratory symptoms were getting progressively worse. It has really made a big difference. It's like someone who has asthma - they take an inhaler every day (steroids) which helps reduce inflammation in the lungs.

 

Pred takes a toll on their immune systems tho ..and Toby's not sick ..just congested ..would pred help him that much that it would be worth using?

 

[Joanne]

Steroids are an immunosuppressant. Depends how bad it is and if other drugs have been tried. You keep them on antibiotics when they're on the pred.

 

I personally don't believe that he is that bad.

He is only congested at times ..never gasps for air, no fast breathing.

Showering with him daily and using nasal spray helps.

 

[SQ]

It has been found that Zithro needs to be given at high strenghts for a longer time period in order for it to help and for symptoms not to immediately return.

I have found that nebulizing ill rats frightens them and makes the situation worse.

You can get your vet to give you a prescription for an inhaler.
Then you put your rattie in an enclosed area or under a towel etc, and get the puffer a couple of squirts so the rattie can breath in the meds.
I have found that this helps depending upon the specific situation.

 

It has been found that Zithro needs to be given at high strenghts for a longer time period in order for it to help and for symptoms not to immediately return.

Should I boost him up to twice a day again with the Zithro? ..today will be his third at once a day

Edit: The Zithro I have is: 200mg/5ml ..I give 0.2 cc ..Toby weighs 600 grams ..is 0.2 enough? Both my vet and Lilspaz helped with the dosing

 

[SQ]

If it was helping.
We give zithro at 10 - 15 mg/Ib twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks along with the baytril.
(usually 6 weeks)
I would give it twice a day and see if it helps. If it helps continue it, if it doesn't them you would need to try something else.

(I am not a vet, just speaking from experience)

 

It has been found that Zithro needs to be given at high strenghts for a longer time period in order for it to help and for symptoms not to immediately return.

I have found that nebulizing ill rats frightens them and makes the situation worse.

You can get your vet to give you a prescription for an inhaler.
Then you put your rattie in an enclosed area or under a towel etc, and get the puffer a couple of squirts so the rattie can breath in the meds.
I have found that this helps depending upon the specific situation.

I never seen you edit the first time I repliled, lol

That's why my vet dose not want to do nebulizing.

What is the name of the inhaler I should get ? *gets pen*

Note: He dose not get congested so much that he can't breath ..his congested but still acts normal.

 

If it was helping.
We give zithro at 10 - 15 mg/Ib twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks along with the baytril.
(usually 6 weeks)
I would give it twice a day and see if it helps. If it helps continue it, if it doesn't them you would need to try something else.

(I am not a vet, just speaking from experience)

Well he finished his two weeks three days ago, and up to then ..it never helped the congestion at all.

There's no porph or anything, just the congestion.

To me, I don't believe there is any infection ..even when he has no meds ..there is still no porph ..just congestion.

Edit:

if it doesn't them you would need to try something else.

That's what I'm asking, lol what else could I try?
I have tried:
Baytril (Which did nothing) - Symptoms: Porph/Lot's of Congestion/Wheezing
Baytril + Doxy (Which Worked & Cleared Him for 2 months) - Symptoms: Porph/Lot's of Congestion/Wheezing
Doxy (Long Term - Kept him under control for 4 months) - Symptoms: Porph/Lot's of Congestion/Wheezing
Zithro (once daily for 10 days) + Clenbuterol (twice daily for 30 days) - Cleared him for 3 months - Symptoms: Congestion
Zithro (once daily for 10 days) + Clenbuterol (twice daily for 30 days) again (never worked) - Symptoms: Congestion
Zithro (twice daily for 2 weeks) + Baytril / Zithro (Once daily for 2 weeks) + Baytril (not working - Still Doing (one Third week) - Symptoms: Congestion

 

[SQ]

According to the rat health care book, bronchodialators such as albuterol (0.05 mg/Ib 2-4 times a day) can help advanced respir disease.
Antihistamines can also help respitory problems.

The inhaler I have is ventolin HFA, salbutamol sulphate inhalation aerosol, 100 mcg, bronchodilator for oral inhalation.
It is for people and from the drug store by perscription.

You will need to discuss this with your vet and get him/her to write the perscription

But I would suggest that you test dose enalapril for a heart problem.

 

According to the rat health care book, bronchodialators such as albuterol (0.05 mg/Ib 2-4 times a day) can help advanced respir disease.
Antihistamines can also help respitory problems.

The inhaler I have is ventolin HFA, salbutamol sulphate inhalation aerosol, 100 mcg, bronchodilator for oral inhalation.
It is for people and from the drug store by perscription.

You will need to discuss this with your vet and get him/her to write the perscription

But I would suggest that you test dose enalapril for a heart problem.

I have Clenbutrol home which helped him a lot last time, and its a bronchodialator (twice daily) ..I will give him that until his appointment on the 15th ..I will then as about the enalapril and the Inhalation

PS: I posted right before your post with more info!

 

I have an inhaler for Toby ..It's helping ..but I need to use it once a day ..I give it to him in the night and his fine right upp until the next night ..then the sounds return :sad3:

I have an appoitnment For Dec 15th ..he finishes his zitheo/baytril on the 18th. I am going to ask my vet about CHF.

I really don't know what else to do.

I am not familar with any other med other than: baytril/zithro/doxy

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know
If you dont want to post in the thread, PM me.

I'd also like to note, Toby is almost 19 months old and has been fighting resp symptoms since 11 months old (approx)

 

[Joanne]

Don't be discouraged if the inhaler is working - that's great!
People who have asthma may need an inhaler for their whole life. Maybe he has rattie asthma...

 

Toby is doing wonderful since I started him on the inhaler

I give it to him once a day (in the evening after supper) & his breathing is perfect ..no sounds at all, and he acts just like a young rat again

 

[jorats]

That's really great news. I've started it on a couple of my rats and it seems to be helping them better too.

 

[mamarat]

So glad for you and Toby.

 

[Joanne]

That's great news!
Can I ask what drug it is? Is it a steroid?

 

That's great news!
Can I ask what drug it is? Is it a steroid?

Ventolin HFA, salbutamol sulphate inhalation aerosol, 100 mcg, bronchodilator for oral inhalation.
It is for people and from the drug store by perscription.


figured I'd bump the new pics up since they were posted at the end of the last page

 

:heart:

Toby looks so cute in green!

 

[jennifervb]

:heart:

Toby looks so cute in green!

a very photogenic little dude... to say the very least!!! :love6: