URI - baytril not working after a week

[user 1922]

my 10 month old rat luna has been on baytril for 1 week tomorrow and I'm not sure that I've seen an improvement (she has however not got worse either!)
I was told to take her back to the vets if she wasn't better after a week however we have now moved half way across the country and getting to the vets is not so easy here (plus I can't afford the £20 consultation fee - although I'll pay it if I have to)

I've read alot that baytril needs to be given for longer than just a week to work fully - is this true?

I just want to know if I should wait a little longer and continue giving the meds that I have, or whether i should bite the bullet and get her an appointment with the new vets?

btw she is currently on 2.5% baytril oral solution at 0.08ml twice a day and she weighs 220g

 

[lilspaz68]

The dose is right, but what are her symptoms?

 

[user 1922]

plenty of sneezing, very crusty nose to the point that her whiskers have had porphyrin droplets on them, at times she's wheezing a little bit, a couple of times when she's eating she's made movements as if she's she's gagging which I have never seen her do before...
she's mostly herself although she's a little subdued but she's still eating and drinking fine
I definitely think she's sleeping more but she does more of that normally that even my boy rats did anyway!

 

[lilspaz68]

It sounds like she needs an additional antibiotic added to the baytril, that it may not be enough. The "gagging" worries me as this could be respiratory attacks and means it could be a severe URI, more than just baytril alone can cure.

 

[user 1922]

ok, I'll contact the vet and get her an appointment tomorrow, hopefully they'll see her.... all the reviews of the place are good at least!

 

[Rachael]

I'd be tempted to try steroid (dex or preds).

 

[user 1922]

hey, just thought I'd let everyone know... In the end I didn't take her to the vet, I went with intuition and just carried on with the baytril... she's loads better now - I guess it just needed that lil bit longer to kick in!

 

[Kate476]

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't see too much change in just a week, rats should be on meds for atleast 21 days, 30 is better.

 

[Dazzle87]

I'm glad she's doing better! I'd keep her on it for at least a week after all symptoms stopped, in order to prevent it from coming back.

 

[SQ]

It is good to keep them on baytril for at least 4 weeks - 6 weeks is much better, if you want them to be over it and not have symptoms return

 

[mamarat]

That's good news for your sweetie.

 

[Zooy]

Good news for your rattie.