My first rat - a couple questions - Page 2 - Paw Talk

ghost_desire · #16 11-01-2005, 11:53 AM

Congrats on your new addition. Is there another vet that you can go to? We have a lot of vets down here. I hope your baby gets better

mxmvlcty · #17 11-01-2005, 11:21 PM

well...I got her a qualified vet and some meds. they gave me Doxycycline...we'll see if it works. the vet also told me to switch to aspen bedding. I know a lot of people say this isn't a good idea...but he said it's all he'll use for his rats. so I'm trying that, too. thanks for all the support over this past week!

ratty_ratkins · #18 11-02-2005, 12:30 PM

i think aspen is a fine idea. its pine, cedar, and clay bedding you want to stay away from. and anything dusty really. when looking for aspen look for a bag with no so much dust in it. some of the bags (same company, etc) have lots of dust, and some do not.

mxmvlcty · #19 11-04-2005, 04:36 PM

since starting the medicine, Harley no longer has the red discharge. she's still sneezing...but I'm assuming it's going to take some time. now the fun part is getting her to take the medicine...my princess won't drink it from the dropper, but she'll lick it off my finger! she's already spoiled...

one more question...what should I do about dry skin, if anything?

mxmvlcty · #20 11-04-2005, 05:01 PM

ok, I was wrong...there's still eye gunk. how long do I wait until I call this medicine a bust? what else could be wrong?

ratty_ratkins · #21 11-04-2005, 06:43 PM

just give it time. if you are conserned call your vet. sometimes it takes a while. they should had given you TWO weeks of anti biotics anyhow.

mxmvlcty · #22 11-04-2005, 07:14 PM

they did...I have like a lifetime's supply. I'm just really hoping it will more work because it cost me more than $40 and I can't really afford to try a bunch of different medicines. I'll let you know how it is in a week or so.

Fane81 · #23 11-06-2005, 05:37 PM

hi.
in case you don't see the improvement you were hoping for, i'd suggest asking your vet about using the doxy along with baytril. my rats used to take both meds concurrently for 14 days and were usually pretty good for while after that. being on these kinds of meds can be an on and off process for a rat's life - depending on how serious the respiratory infection is. Hopefully this will be all that Harley will ever need! Good Luck!

Hanlou · #24 11-07-2005, 03:52 PM

Yep - I'd say the same - try using a combination of baytril and doxy if the infection seems resiliant.

My own Beatrice (currently trying to help me 'type'

) has started sounding wheezy tonight. So looks like a trip to the vets tomorrow for me.