Pasteurella Pneumotropica

Question
Hi Jannell,

I have been asking many rat lovers, vets and experts about this problem... I'm looking for a second opinion or any other ideas for treatment - or even just agreement with those already suggested. My two boys (both around 1 year old) have been diagnosed with Pasteurella Pneumotropica after having a culture grown from a nose swab taken by my vet. After at least a month, their condition hasn't changed.

Their symptoms so far have been:
- Sneezing - both boys
- 'Chattering' ("pigeon noises") - only one boy suffers from this
- Small red bumps on tail (skin mites and maybe not related?) - both boys
- Yellow flakey skin - both boys
- Timidness / Hunching with fluffed fur at times - only one boy
- Excessive Porphyrin from nose (possibly blood?) - both boys, but one suffers much more than the either, getting a 'blood nose' at least once a day
- One boy always seems to have one eye more closed than the other, and constantly itches his ear of (possibly) the same side

So far I have tried these medications:
- Vibravet powder (long-term, before they were diagnosed)
- Baytril injection (lasted one week)
- Cephalexin paste (one week)
- Chloramphenicol crushed tablets (4 days)
..and about a week ago they were given
- Convenia injection (lasts two weeks)

One of my boys reacted very badly to the Convenia (diarrhea), but has now seemed to recover fully. I haven't seen any difference in their condition since the Convenia injection. :(

Another expert on this site has suggested that the best treatment would be a combination of gentocin/baytril/albuterol and possibly some long-lasting steriods, and/or also some valium to calm my stressed boy (assumedly his airways are narrowed and he is freaking out) - administered with a nebulizer, for a period of a few days.

What do you think of this idea? If you approve/agreee, do you think it would be safe to start this treatment now, while the Convenia is still in their systems for a week or more (and also considering one of the boys guts is obviously having a hard time because of the diarrhea)?

What do you think about both the current and long-term medical conditions of my boys? Any advice would be truly appreciated, as I am frightened their condition is worsening.....

From Hannah, Pop and Tama

Answer
To be a million percent honest; I'm not sure. I agree with the combined treatment (gentocin/baytril/albuterol/valium), but I personally would wait at *least* 3 to 4 days before starting so the Convenia is out of their systems -- too many drug interactions on such a little animal really can't be a good thing and I don't know how Convenia would react with gentocin and baytril. So, that being said -- try the combined treatment. Trying something is better than doing nothing; as this condition will truly only worsen if left untreated (if not due to the PP itself; due to the scarring on the lungs from lack of control).

Good luck!