Antibiotics for Rats

Question
We have a dwarf rat (weighing in at .18 grams) that suddenly became lethargic and weak and wobbly. We brought him to the vet and they guessed pneumonia even though he didn't have any resperatory issues and they couldn't feel anything physically wrong with him. He only exhibited lethargy, lack of interest in food/water, and weakness (crawls very slowly around, wobbles, and just curls up).

They prescribed baytril and doxycycline and after 1 week, he was back to normal. Only later did I find out that he should have stayed on it longer. So he started to show signs of a relapse once the antibiotics were gone: moving a bit slower, unstable when he moved, etc. But still seemed, for the most part, okay. We got him back on the same antibiotics, and it has been 1 week. He has gotten worse and worse, and is now back in the same state that we found him in the beginning (he can hardly walk or clean himself etc). I for one, don't understand how it worked once and not again - did the antibiotics make him worse? Or just are no longer effective against whatever it is he battling?

We have been reading about amoxicillin, zithromax, and clavamox and wondered if a change of antibiotics could help him fight whatever he has? Or do you have any thoughts of what could be wrong?

Answer
Yes, your vet did not treat him properly and when they are not put on antibiotics properly the organism usually becomes tolerant to the medication.  He should have been kept on this medication for at least 4 weeks, but now it is even  said to keep them on it for 6 weeks.  If they are not kept on it long enough, the bacteria starts to become resistant to the drugs.

I would suggest steroids right away followed by zithromax for a full month. If you do not see improvement in three days, he needs to be put on gentocin on top of that. DO NOT let a vet scare you into NOT using gentocin.  IT CAN be hard on the kidneys LONG TERM but the benefits outweigh the risks, which is DEATH from respiratory infection not being treated right in the first place.

I would also find a new vet, one that understands the mechanics of mycoplasmosis.  Vets that are not up to par on rat care end up doing more harm than good, as in this case.

Go private if you want  for the follow up and let me know the Vets name. I can check his or her credentials and let you know if this vet has any business treating rats.  I can help find one that is qualified and wont put your rats life on the line.