prolonged use of antibiotics

Question
I have a three and a half year old male.  He has had the expected respiratory problems, going back severa months now, and we have used antibiotics for that.  We started with Ciprofloxacin, which helped - but he lost mobility in his back legs, and I heard that could be a rare side effect of that drug.  So we switched to chloramphenicol.  Whenever we take him off, within a few days to a week, his condition worsens - some sneezing, some moaning or rattling, a bit lethargic - not bad, usually just a few hours a day, but enough to where I worry about risking letting it get worse at his age.  When I put him back on and he seems fine within a day or two.  My vet has recommended keeping him on the antibiotics indefinitely.  She says his immune system is apparently shot, and, at his age, it is best that he stay on the drug.  Do you agree, or do you feel I am hurting him with such a prolonged use of antibiotics?

Answer
Hi Marc

I totally agree that he should stay on the drug.  I do not feel that the cipro caused the hind leg paralysis.  I think that is coincidence. Rats bodies (skeletal system actually) are designed to last for about 24 months give or take a few months. Once they reach this age, certain signs of wear and tear are obvious, from degenerative changes to problems with muscles. DUe to the fact there are more Vets learning about rat care, proper died and health care, rats are starting to live longer than the estimated 2 years. This is of course meant to apply for a generally healthy rat that has not lived a life of constant illness. I have two males that are 3 and a half and both are showing signs of nerve root compression on the spine that is causing hind leg paralysis. However, metacam can help with mobility.   I must say I am not real keen on such a toxic drug as chloramphenicol.  Has the vet tried high end dosing of a baytril for prophylaxis?  

With chronic lung disease, baytril is really the drug of choice since it is the number one antibiotic to destroy mycoplasmosis which is probably the culprit for his continued respiratory infections. He may have lung scarring. Does he gasp and wheeze? Has the vet also tried albuterol for his breathing?

If the chlorpalm is the only drug that seems to help, I would just go ahead and go for it.  You have nothing to lose.  At his age, every day he wakes up is a really good day since he has at lived at least 6 months past the life expectancy of a super healthy rat. Lets just say for a minute that using the medication causes problems such as possible bone marrow suppression which is actually a big problem with chlorpalm, esp with humans. Lets say it may cause problems with the liver or kidneys. He may eventually build a tolerance to it. The truth is, this will take months to even happen and although I would love to say he may live to be 5 years old, I have my doubts  as I would any rat, so if you can keep him healthy and give him back his quality of life even for the next 6 months, thats really something to be happy about.

I dont always agree with many vets these days (long long story...lol) but I support the Vet on this treatment 100%, although I do question the use of chlorpalm over other broad spectrum's that are safe and just as effective, but whatever works I guess....

I also discuss long term antibiotic therapy on my website on the mycoplasmosis page. If you want to read up, check it out here:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/mycoplasmosispage.htm

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