Baby Sneezing

Question
Okay..earlier in the month I wrote to you of losing two rats within 10 days of one another to a swift acting virus.  After the first passed I ran out and purchased a young rat as I always like to keep two.  I did this hastily because I believed the surviving rat lonely!  Unfortunately Peanut died which left us with just the baby, Punkin.  So, again, after I felt like Punk was not going to fall victim to the virus I figured I'd go to the same  pet store and begin the process of getting her a companion.  My daughter and I let one choose us and we brought her home.  I did not notice her sneezing at the pet store, but I noticed it as soon as we got her home.  On day two I contacted the pet store whose policy is that you can return the rat.  I told them what was going on and that I wasn't interested in returning as I don't consider my pets disposable.  They did agree to "treat" her at the hospital located in the store.  First question the vet asked is if I had considered giving her back and getting another.  When I responded no she checked her out and said her heart sounded good and so did her lungs. She prescribed doxycycline twice a day.  Bottom line is I read somewhere that if this is myco even if the rat improves her lifespan will be short because she is not myco resistant and eventually she'll have a flare up and succomb.  Is that true?  Would it ever be possible to let them live together or would she infect Punkin?  This is my 8th rat...the first four all lived about two years and we never had any of the sneezing issues.  The last year there have been four two of them succombed as mentioned above and now this one is sneezing, I'm beginning to think I'm cursed!

Answer
Hi Shannon

Check out my web page and the page about myco to better understand it and to get accurate advice, not just rumors that float around the rat community.

The way it works is like this:

All rats are born with mycoplasmosis.  It just takes something to set it off in order for the bacteria to cause infection.  Mycoplasmosis is not just something that causes respiratory infection. It can also cause problems with the urinary tract, middle ear which can cause ear infection and head tilt, uterine infections with intact females and of course, mycoplasmosis pulmonis which causes respiratory infection.

The PROPER way to treat it (many vets disappoint me by under treating, so its vital that you find a vet that has done his homework on mycoplasmosis pulmonis) It needs treated for a full 30 days  up to 6 weeks as per some experts using the right antibiotic.  Doxycycline is not always strong enough to really get it under control. For a baby rat, zithromax should be used and if they dont respond, baytril and doxy combo should be used for a full month.
After that, should they relapse, the rat needs put on baytril for the rest of his or her life, no ifs, ands or buts.  A second infection is when the damage starts, from lung scarring to blistering.  If they are put on it for life, they usually do not have a third relapse.  The truth is, its important to prevent a second attack but sadly, there just are not enough vets out there that really truly understand this bacteria and how it works.  They just assume its something rats get and we as rat owners need to accept it.  I have had rats that have had myco infections once, put on batyril for life and lived to be past 3 years old.  Its all about the way they live, too.  No pine or cedar, clean cage free of ammonia build up, no tank, only a cage where there is good air circulation: do not overcrowd a cage and put more rats in one cage than you can fit.  With males, I suggest no more than 3 to 4 males no matter how large the cage is.
No airfreshners, candles, cigarette smoke, potpourri, incense, cleaning solutions, powders or sprays of any kind, even if its for mites, it should never be used around the rats. If the rat has mites, either a topical application of ivermectin or revolution is used or an injfection of ivermectin.  Following these guidelines also helps keep the rat in an environment where there is no irritants that can trigger a respiratory infection due to mycoplasmosis.

Your rat is not doomed and can be introduced to Punkin right now if she has been treated for at least 3 days.  Punkin already harbors the mycoplasma bacteria, all rats are born with it. If her immune sytem is strong enough, she  will not develop any illness regardless if the other rat is sick or not.