Red fluids

Question
QUESTION: Hi! first I wanna say, this site is great, and thanks fo taking the time to read this.
I have two girls rats, one 12 weeks, and one 13 weeks, and the younger one, Midnight, sneezed since I first got her. She's always had the red fluid around her nostrils, which I've read is poryphin (or something like that), and she started coughing quite badly. I took her to the vet who said apart from the coughing and red stuff, they were in perfect health, and she gave me Baytril for Midnight. I've used up the  dose I was told to, and her coughing has stopped, but she still has the red fluid there, and now my other girl, Dusk, has started having the red fluid around her nostrils too. I haven't changed the type of bedding since I first got them, and I only use 100% rat safe chemicals around them. I was also wondering if it could have anything to do with winter being just around the corner. Please help! I don't know if I should give Dusk Baytril as well or take her back to the vets ($!$!) or what.

ANSWER: Hi Jess

First of all, how long was Midnight on the baytril?

Also, porphyrin doesnt always mean illness, as you said before, Midnight always had it anyhow before she started to show signs of illness but when she started to cough, you did the right thing and took her in. She may always be one of those rats that secrete porphyrin but I do want to make sure she was on the baytril long enough. Many vets that are not really well versed in rat care, especially mycoplasmosis which I am sure Midnight had her first attack of a myco related respiratory infection but without being on the meds long enough they relapse right away.  If the porphyrin was indicator that she was indeed sick and still has it, she may not be coughing but may still feel under the weather.
If Dusk has porphyrin now,and never had it before, it is safe to assume she also may be coming down with something. Is she sneezing or wheezing and coughing or honking  or just has the porphyrin around her little nose?


Let me know these few things and I will follow up and we can get this  all straight in no time  and get the girls back on track :)



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: She was to be given 0.1 ml of a Baytril mix (one 50mg tablet crushed in 5 mls of water) a day for ten days. I mixed half the tablet with 2.5mls of water and that was enough to last the ten days, so I still do have half left if I need to use it.
And the vet did say that they were only her second rats she'd seen, which kinda left me nervous...
Midnight's behaviour hasn't changed at all; she's still very explorative and outgoing. I've never once heard Dusk make any coughing sound, and the poryphin seems to have cleared up since my first message to you.
Thanks again.

Answer
Hi

You really do need to look for another vet. The way they gave you the baytril is just ridiculous. A vet that is properly prepared to treat rats has all the proper medication and it doesnt have to be mashed up tablets.

THe rats need the meds for 21 to 30 days to avoid relapse.
I can help you find a vet or you can find one by going to my website here:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/adoctorforyourrat.htm


ALso read about mycoplasmosis which I am sure your rats have, and the proper way to treat them. I am afraid with the lack of knowledge your vet has the rats may relapse and this vet will not know what to do so its best you are armed with information on this so you can either properly advise the vet or else find someone that knows about them enough that you should not have to tell them what to do.

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

Please keep me posted. Hopefully all will work out fine.