Pirate's Respiratory Symptoms Worsen, Vet Adds Baytril

Pirate's respiratory symptoms flared up recently and we put him back on his normal regimen of Doxycycline. He also has a prescription for Theophylline, a bronchodilator, which helps open the airways so that he can breathe more easily. His symptoms did not improve and, in fact, started to worsen, so last week it was back to the vet for him.

The vet added Baytril (enrofloxacin) to his medication regimen. He gets .5 ml of 22.7 mg/ml Baytril liquid antibiotic (the amount given is dependent on the rat's weight, and while Pirate has lost a little weight, he is still a big boy at over 600 grams). This dose can be given once a day, or divided in half and given twice a day. I give the Baytril directly by syringe to make sure he gets the full dose. This particular formulation must be kept in the refrigerator.

While he wasn't feeling well, he took it easy, often lounging in a hammock with Ruby or Bela at his side. But the Baytril works fast and by the end of the weekend, he had bounced back. The congestion has cleared up and he is getting back to his normal, more active self.

I can't emphasize enough for those thinking about getting rats, how important vet care is. These respiratory problems are so common in rats, and without treatment, they go downhill so fast. Yet it is fairly easy to treat these problems - at least until they become resistant to the medications you have been using or until permanent damage is done to the lungs and respiratory system.

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Doxycycline and Respiratory Infections