vaginal discharge in dumbo rat

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra.
Not sure if i am replying to you in correct way, my reply to your first communication to me i sent via "Add to this Answer", but i have heard from you. Maybe you are busy or having some much deserved time out, or i am just doing it wrong?
Any way my reply to you was; Baby Jo weighs 7ozs 200gms (always been tiny girl)
I have never bought medicines on line before.
She hasn't been spayed.
I live in the UK (although i was born in Florida)
Baby Jo is my 17 year old daughters ratty but we compete for her affections. She is so responsive and clever and so totally trusting. I know she is getting to be an old lady now and am sure she is living on love. We kept rats for the past 10 years but baby Jo is the the best one ever.She has been our first Dumbo and we will definitely keep with this breed.
Must go and cook the roast now, have a good day and thank you, you seem so devoted.You really are appreciated.
Liz and Katy

ANSWER: Hi Liz

I am here....I didnt get your reply back to me so I dont know what happened but you did it correctly this time. I am expected by this site to address all messages within 3 days so I always reply to everyone usually within the first 24 hours  (I have spent hours sitting here before trying to give accurate and detailed advice) but I enjoy it too so I am usually always around within the first 12 hours of a new question.

Anyhow, wow she is tiny (200 grams) I had a few petite females before, one weighing just 188 grams and that little stinker was the queen mother of the cage despite her size. I guess size doesnt really matter after all:)  LOL  

Anyhow it sounds like she has a vaginal infection. Baytril would help since usually the first cause of vaginal infection is from the mycoplasma organism.
Do you have a vet that you can take Baby Jo to see?

Remember, when responding to me, just chose the reply option, not the add or revise this post because it doesnt notify me when there are any additions.

hang in there...


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

QUESTION: Hi Sandra
I have given up on vets with regards to rats, they have ill advised us in the past. We use them for the rabbits but don't trust them for the rats. (they couldn't even diagnose an upper respiratory tract infection in our last rat, and dispite me requesting baytril gave me a different antibiotic.
Baby Jo does seem a bit better with regards to discharge.
I forgot to mention she did develop weakness in her back legs a few months ago, but still manages to get around her cage which is lined with sheets of soft kitchen roll so she is comfy.Shedoes manage to use her back legs for grooming, although it's hit and miss a lot of the time(little legs flying around and not always hitting the spot)
Should we try her on bayril or just wait and see.
If we do treat her what dosage of Baytril should we give her?
Thank You Liz

Answer
Hi Liz

You should give her .5 of the baytril twice daily....

Sounds like she has some nerve root compression which may be why she has lost the use of her back legs. Not much you can do about that but treat her pain if she seems to be hurting. Childrens Motrin may help as will .

As for the vets...I know what you mean about them.....that is why I advise not to see vets that are not exotic vets. These traditional vets only dabble in exotics and many are not prepared to treat rats etc...It can be heart breaking sometimes.

Check out my list...see if there is a Vet for you here!  They are ALL exotic vets.

Dr. John Chitty
Strathmore Veterinary Clinic    
London Road
 Andover SP10 2PH
Phone:    +44 1264 352323
Website     www.strathmoreveterinaryclinic.co.uk



Dr. Alistair Lawrie
The Lawrie Veterinary Group
Address:    25 Griffiths Street
 Falkirk Central Scotland FK1 5QY
Phone:    01324--624361


  
Dr. Mark Taylor
Feldon Veterinary Centre LTD    
94-96 King Street
 Bedworth Warwickshire Cv12 8JF
Phone:    024 76312193

  
Dr. Michelle Ward
Hospital for Small Animals University of Edinburgh    
Easter Bush Vet Centre
Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG
Phone:    44131-6507650
Website:
  
Dr. Nathalie Wissink Argilaga
Scott Veterinary Clinic    
405 Goldington Road
Bedford Bedfordshire England MK41 0DS
Phone:    +441234261622