Treatment for chronic myco

Question
Hi!
My baby Dom is 2 yr 2 mos. This summer he started showing the signs of respiratory infection [head hanging off platform, "monkey" sounds]. He went on a treatment of Baytril, and when that proved to not be enough, Doxy was added. The Doxy/Bytril combo was administered for 7 days. This cleared him up wonderfully, but after about 2 weeks he started showing signs again [head hanging off platform, audible breathing noises occasionally.] He has now finished another round of Baytril/Doxy combo that lasted for 9 days. The vet gave me some dry Doxy to reconstitute as needed.
I am supposed to wait and see if he relapses again before moving on to every day antibiotics.

Here's my question: should he be given the Doxy/Baytril for longer than 9 days?
If not, should I continue giving him Baytril alone for some time?
Should I stop all antibiotics again and see what happens [I don't like the idea of constant rebounds but I don't know enough about tolerance build up. I can tell you he seems to have some tolerance against Baytril since it won't knock out his flare-ups alone.]
Thanks!

Answer
You either need to change vets and find one that has the proper education when it comes to treating rats or convince this vet that he or she needs to read up on how to properly treat rats.  I am worried that due to the poor treatment of this respiratory infection that your rat has lung scarring due to damage from not being on the medication long enough.  Please refer to my site, sandyscrittercity.com and refer to the section on rat illnesses. I have a page devoted to properly treating mycoplasmosis.  Also, it could be a secondary infection on top of the mycoplasmosis organism causing problems.


The first sign of respiratory problems, the rat should be put on baytril for no less than 30 days. Should the rat relapse, baytril for life is suggested to prevent chronic problems, like what your rat is going through now.

Its so unfair that a vet would even see a rat when he has no idea how to treat them. They cause more harm than good!