Lung tumor(s)

Question
Hi Sandra,
First I want to thank you for correctly diagnosing my boy Dom's bumblefoot. Because of you I insisted that the vet give trimeth, which worked with great success and hopefully educated a vet on lesion-less bumblefoot!

His brother Burt is not doing too well. I presented him with URI symptoms about 2 weeks ago, and he eventually started baytril and doxy (after finding a good vet after 3 tries!!) without any significant improvement. Weight loss apparent. He has been nebulized a few times with some relief for him, and had x-rays done one week ago which showed fluid in his chest. We started him on a low dose of Lasix. Seemed to help for about 2 days the the labored breathing and coughing became worse. Yesterday was his recheck, and more x-rays were done which shows two spots near his lungs that were not there 7 days ago. The diagnosis is lung tumors, and possibly a hidden tumor in his heart causing the chest fluid. Probability of 1-3 weeks left for him. He is now on stronger Lasix and Prednisone. I've stopped the antibiotics. Last night, he felt better than he has in over a week. His appetite is back and he is very energetic. I realize it's just the steroids.

I've read lung tumors are rare in rats. I guess I have bad luck.

Have I done all I can do? I really love this kiddo.

Answer
I am going to once again challenge the vet and suggest rather than tumors *yes, they are very rare in rats, although that said, I wont say they are IMPOSSIBLE to have, either*  however, with chronic mycoplasmosis pulmonis, the chances that your Burt has scarring of the lungs that the vet saw on the film. Without bashing the Vet   (one of my very good friends is a Vet and he has taught me how to be less judgmental and a bit more fair, although readily agrees there are more vets out there that should keep their grubby little paws off of rats than there are Vets that are qualified enough to see them and treat them too)  I just witnessed a rats death due to the vet misdiagnosing her despite having the X-rays right smack dab in his face.  He suggested that the rat had "air" in her abdomen when it was really packed to the max with feces.  He treated the rat for gas and as you can guess, the poor little rat suffered and eventually died. Its not the easiest thing to film rats  unless they are nice and sedated.  If they are saying that what they see is "possibly" a hidden tumor in his heart causing chest fluid, my guess is that they are misdiagnosing the lung tumor and its really scar tissue, possibly blistering on the lungs, all connected to chronic myco.   The treatment is good, but where are the antibiotics?
What happened to the very good chance this rat has one nasty pneumonia?  The fluid is of course something seen with pneumonia and can also be from congestive heart failure.  Anyone discuss  heart disease yet?  

I would suggest your rat be put on gentocin injections.  This can be easily nebulized along with baytril.  I would neb the steroids too.   Can we go private and you tell me the name of the vet that is currently treating your rat?  I would like to know his credentials which I can find once I have a name.  Just curious as to his or her qualifications and experience when dealing with rats.  This sounds like pneumonia to be honest and the vet is mistaking the pneumonia with possible tumors...and also of course there may be blistering or scarring going on, but with the fluid and the fact he is responding to lasix and the steroids, I am just put back as to why there is no aggressive antibiotic treatment going on here.  The vet should not blink at giving him gentocin, no matter how strong it is, esp if he has already given your rat just a few weeks to live!  The fact he was on baytril and doxy doesnt tell me anything because this could be a bug that is either resistant to baytril OR the baytril just isnt the right choice, esp if it is a Streptococcus pneumoniae,(pneumococcus)  which is more likely to be the culprit as this could be a secondary infection due to mycoplasmosis compromising the immune system.   Baytril would not be my first choice when treating a nasty pneumococcus and thats when I would go for the big guns like gentocin. You have absolutely NOTHING to lose and more of a chance on helping Burt!