poorly boy

Question
Hi Sandra,
I bought two boys from a pet shop a little over a month ago now. One of my boys is now making a strange noise. I know they are likely to get respiratory infections, but I have been looking on the internet untill I can get to the vet to get an understanding of how I can help him in the mean time. Over all Mario is active, eating and drinking well and just as friendly. He doesn't appear to be in any pain. He is not fluffed up, hunched, nor does he have any discharge. However, when he is tierd or sleeping maimly, he is making a sort of croaking noise. It sounds like he has a sore throat. I know that sounds strange but it is the only way I can discribe it. He will give a sort of cough and will be OK for a while. I know he needs to see a vet, but I was wondering if you know what this is. He sneezes from time to time, but I think this is just a general sneeze. I have been told it may be sinusitus? I have also been told he is likely to be given baytril, but I don't know if he is under or over 3 months old. Although money is no object, being a student I was wondering if you know how much this usually costs? I may need to ask the parents for some help if it's going to be a lot at once =]
Sorry there is alot here, I am a newbie to rats of my own and want them to get the best care.

Thanks,
Sammy x

Answer
Hi Sammy

Chances are your rats have the starts of mycoplasmosis. I know the noises you speak of. People describe them anywhere from monkey calls to guinea pig grunts to owns hooting or whatever the heck it is they do. LOL

The good news is it doesnt sound like it is going full throttle so getting it early is important!  The only thing is, the vet,and what I mean by that is the vet needs to be fully educated on mycoplasmosis and treating it. Mycoplasmosis starts out by light sneezing and nasal congestion.  Even if it would be infection in the sinuses, it would still most likely be caused by mycoplasmosis since it is found in the sinuses too. The vet needs to understand also that treatment means 21 to 30 days and the medication needs to be the type that fights bacteria that has no cell wall, which would be baytril and doxycycline or zithromax for younger rats. If treatment is not long enough, they will relapse and the second time may be worse than the first and this can trigger a serious of chronic respiratory infections and over time, lung scarring or blistering of the lungs.
                                         
ANyhow since your new to rats, this may be all new to you too so please go to my site and to this page here, about mycoplasmosis and what it is all about.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/mycoplasmosispage.htm


 Rats are born with it and it takes certain things to trigger it. Sometimes it never comes out and other times rats have a terrible time with it, from respiratory infections to bladder infections, myco is often the culprit.
Unless your vet is really well versed on rats, its best to educate yourself as much on this as you can to be sure your rats are given the best treatment possible for this bacteria!

Let me know what you think after going over the page on myco.