My sweet rat Hardy

Question
Hello,

I have a rat(and sibling) I adopted in October 07, age unknown but full size.  He and his sibling(male and neutered also) have had continual breathing problems.  We live in zip code 82604 and I have been unable to find a vet who is versed in rat care.  I typically do all the research on the net I can and bring it to the vet.  To date, we have had both rats on baytril with a steroid shot. After visits every month the last three months, the drs recommended monthly steroid shots and kept the 2 rats in a oxygenated tent for a day.  It did help.  Unfortunately, Hardy is not recovering.  He wheezes hard, is lethargic, and has lost interest in food.  The vet suggested a specialty hospital 4 hours away in Colorado.  My husband is concerned about suffering and suggested he be put to sleep.  I read your information on another reader and hope you can help.  Will a combination of doxycyclene and baytril help or is it too late?  We keep the room clean, use towell bedding rinsed twice after washing, and use a clean humidifier.  All of our rats have an excellent diet and daily interactions with our entire family.  Thank you and I hope you can help.

Answer
Hi Susan

Hardy needs more aggressive treatment than what he is getting. I did a search for certified exotic vets and sadly there are none in your state at all. I can do a better search Monday for vets that see small mammals in your area but want to be sure its not any place you have already tried so I will send the names as I get them in. What state are you closest too, and what big city in the neighboring states?  I stink at geography although I can easily get a map out and look for myself. LOL

Now about Hardy... he more than likely has a secondary infection and needs more aggressive therapy.
Baytril and doxy are no longer working probably because he has a secondary infection.
The use of bronchodilators given orally:
Aminophylline or Albuterol, may be used to help dilate the bronchi in the lungs to aid breathing.

Nebulized treatments with these medications as well as more aggressive antibiotics : amikacin or gentamicin should be used.
0.5mL Albuterol 0.083% Inhalation also can be used to open airways.

If nebulization is unable to be done, one of the medications above should be given by injection:

Also, Cefadroxil OR keflex should be added as well for secondary infections  and better results if used in combination with Gentocin injections.

Explain to the vet that short term use of gentocin will NOT cause problems with rats kidneys or liver.

The monthly steroids are not frequent enough.
The proper way to use steroids in rats is as follows:
dexamethasone 1 mg/lb BID, then weaned down as follows:
1 mg/lb BID injectable or PO (oral) for 3 days
1 mg/lb SID for 3 days
0.5 mg/lb SID for 3 days
0.5 mg/lb orally every other day, three doses

Liquid valium can also be used to help treat anxiety:
.10 ml twice a day for high end dosing and decreasing as per weight.

The rat should be kept in oxygenated enclosure while medications are being introduced for the first 48 hours.

Meanwhile, I will try to find someone that knows about rat care but your Hardy needs to be treated like this as soon as tomorrow.  Keep him well hydrated tonight and try to get him to lick baby food from your fingers.  It exerts too much energy for a sick rat to eat and chew, but licking something new may spark an interest. Any type is fine, from strained peas to strained custard.  Crushed watermelon or juice from the watermelon can be fed using a syringe

The key is to get him on the new stronger medications ASAP.

I hope this helps. Please keep me posted!