I will do this....

Question
Hi Sandra, I just figured out what to do about Cookie. I am going to continue her antibiotics for longer (as vet suggested) and then if no improvement take her in for a culture of her urine. And go from there.

Also I didnt mean to sound all dramatic, I am disabled but it is only a severe case of Obsessive compulsive disorder...i am not in a wheel chair (thank GOD) and manage to support myself playing about 50 hours of poker a month (believe it or not)...i have been doing so for six years now..

thanks so much for your help...past and present

Daniel

Answer
Oh hey dont have to explain squat to me, trust me, I know. I am not wallowing in millions myself.

Have you ever considered looking into pet insurance? Truthfully, its not a bad idea and a good company is worth the very low rate each month. For someone with one or two rats, its worth it. Its less than $20 a month and they cover all kinds of stuff, from the respiratory infections they get to tumor surgery etc...

The key to saving money on rat care at the Vets is seeing the right vet from the start. So many people are misled by vets that are general DVMs that see cats and dogs but know a few things about pocket pets. Truth is, they know VERY LITTLE and are a waste of money. They prescribe the wrong medication from the start and the rat continues to remain ill and they have to keep spending money on return visits and more medication. Some vets are tuned in to the real world these days and are giving customers a break by not charging for rechecks, which they shouldn't anyhow to be honest. I know of a great guy that keeps his fees low so pet care is affordable and the animals do not have to suffer and not be treated properly when it comes to illnesses.  

To be honest, when it comes to Cookie, I have to tell you this about her meds: The rule of thumb is this; antibiotics start to peak in the blood stream within 12 hrs of administration.  It begins to destroy the cell wall of the bacteria.  People with strep throat are not allowed to return to school or should not return to work for 24 hours of starting antibiotics but after that, the Strep bacteria is rendered harmless and the person is no longer contagious.  THat is because the medication works in 24 hours.  IF your pet is not showing signs of improvement on antibiotics by day 3, NO LATER than day 4, its time to change medication.  This applies to humans as well.  If your rat has an infection that is going to respond to the meds she is on now, she would be improving by the 3rd to 4th day.  If not, time to switch.   To be honest, the drug that is being used is "ok" but not really the drug of choice for a nasty urinary tract infection.
I suggest she is put on the following drug:


Sulfamethoxazole/ Trimethoprim. I refer to it simply as Trimeth.

Brand names are: TRIBRISSEN, BACTRIM, SEPTRA    

Dose should be as follows:  15cc/lb  (twice a day, by mouth )

This drug in no way should be expensive. I would do this before spending half your months wages on a urine culture.  I would give this drug at least a full 4 days.  Also, the vet should know this too, but after being all various antibiotics, this may make the urine culture give a false reading.  She would ideally need to be off the medication for at least 48 to 72hr  before doing a urine culture to rid the body of residual antibiotics. Your vet should know this and if not, please remind him, but gently. LOL  Most vets do not like the client to dictate how they treat your pets, but sadly, there are times when we have no choice because the Vet may not know as much as the client knows about rat care.  I am here to protect the client and help with rat care.  I do not want anyone to waste their hard earned money so I am going to be honest even if its brutally honest. Thats how I...umm...roll?   LOL