Rattie Medicine and other Health Questions

[Raeanne]

Ok, so I just got two new ratties and they appear to be sick. They have both been sneezing quite a bit, and also have red rattie snot coming from their noses. Also, one of them has an obviously infected 'finger.' Her finger is about double normal size, and the tip is quite red. First of all, does anyone have any idea what she might have done? It appears that she may have pulled her nail out, but I'm not sure how!

I took my girls to the vet today and he prescribed Clavamox. (Amoxicillin/Clavulanic) After lots of research, it seems as though the dosage is way off. I am in extreme need of some advice!

Has anyone dealt with this drug before? The DR. prescribed .25 mL two times daily for each rattie. My problem is that I think he has overdosed them. Does anyone know if it is harmful for them to have too much antibiotic?

Here's why I think they don't need so much: (Warning, you need to know some basic math, for this is kind of confusing)

The box says: 1 mL (mixed: water + powder drug) contains 62.5 mg actual concentrated drug.

* * It then follows that .1 mL contains 6.25 mg

I have read many places that the general dosage rule is 6.25 mg per pound of the animal's weight.

However, my baby ratties each weigh in at about 1/5 of a pound, suggesting that they would only need 1/5 of the 6.25 mg dosage, right?

So then, they need 1/5 of the .1 mL dosage which = .02 mL

The doctor prescribed .25 mL, nearly 13 times the suggested dosage according to the 6.25 mg per lb.

I have read many places that this drug can cause upset stomache, diarhea, possibly loss of appetite. The last thing I want to do is OVERDO it. Could someone please tell me that I am wrong about the dosage mis-hap?

OR, will this overdose NOT hurt my rattie?

OR, should I go against what the DR. said, and go with what I know?
This is so stressful because I would really like my ratties to get better, not worse! I have been so very worried about them.

If you'd like to email, you can send to sirenn@sbcglobal.net

Or just reply here! Thanks so much. -Raeanne

[lixx]

I am not sure his reasons, but have you called to confirm this with him? Is there a second vet you can get an opinion from?

[Raeanne]

All is well with the meds! It turns out, he diluted it more so than the bottle says, to fit the ratties' size. If he hadn't done this, it would have been an overdose. I called, and straightened it out with the vet. WHEW!

[RondaNC]

Glad to hear everything worked out!
Hope they have a speedy recovery!!

[Christy]

I'm glad you got the med situation sorted out. As for the swollen toe, a nail was most likely torn or pulled off. It is quite common in rats since they climb *everything* and tend to yank their feet loose when a nail gets caught. You can put a dab of neosporin on it to help it heal, just try not to let her lick it all off.

[Raeanne]

Thanks so much for the support! The neosporin suggestion is worth a try. Honey's toe doesn't seem to be making much improvement yet, after two days of anibiotics. Thanks again for the support.

[Raeanne]

Hello! I just wanted to let everyone know that Honey's toe is doing much better. The scab is completely gone, as is the swelling. It appears as though she is growing a new toenail! I'm so psyched. She was such a little witch with taking her medicine. She had such an attitude. She's such a girl!

Also, they are still on their meds. It has been a week and two days. They aren't sneezing nearly as much, and seem to have high energy. I'm so glad they are getting better! And we even got them a new cage! Woohoo, life is good. So that's your update.

[Christy]

Great news! A trick I like to use giving my gang meds, mix it in a teaspoon of cool whip. They think it's a treat and they don't even notice the meds mixed in. They especially like to lick it directly off the spoon.

[Linda Lee]

That's really interesting! I'm going to keep that in mind about the cool whip- is that regular cool whip or light? LOL

[klburen]

glad everything worked out

[Christy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Linda Lee That's really interesting! I'm going to keep that in mind about the cool whip- is that regular cool whip or light? LOL

I always use regular -but I suppose you could use lite if you have a fattus rattus.

[Linda Lee]