respiratory infection?

Question
Hi Cathe,  
I have two adorable male rats that I foolishly purchased from a pet shop. They've had too many problems to count since then (when I bought them, they had lice!). The current problem is they will not stop sneezing (and they have porphyrin staining around their noses)! I've taken them to the vet once, was perscribed Baytril the first round but they didn't get better within a week. The vet decided to put them on a combination of Baytril and Doxycycline. They've been on this for about a week now with another week remaining but their symptoms are still there. I called my vet to inform her and she recommended 3 things: remain on the current combination of antibiotics because maybe it's viral, try another antibiotic (I'm sorry I forget the name of it), or get a swab from their noses to send off to the lab (that would cost me about $70, not including the visit!). I decided to keep them on the antibiotics as of now unless they get worse (stop eating + drinking, appear to have trouble breathing, lose weight, etc). Do you have any suggestions? Did I take the wrong option? Can I do anything in the meantime? I love these boys to death and I hate the petshop for breeding them so carelessly!
Thank you in advance (I apologize for the length)

Answer
Hi Andrea,
You're absolutely doing all of the right things, and it sounds like your vet is, too. The swab will likely confirm genetic myco, which is the most prevalent and common cause of the sniffles/sneezes you've written about.

I have several rats that have been as sneezy from day one as they were on their 3rd birthdays. Some rats don't manifest anything other than upper respiratory illnesses.

Other rats, however end up with allergies, or lung infections. It is VERY common this time of year for seasonal allergies to spring up. If you have dry leaves, dust, or even smoke in the air, rats will sneeze. I have one rat that is allergic to our kittens!

Instead of spending the money on the swab, you could invest in an air purifier. I've got one in our rat room that cost about $60 from one of the larger discount sales stores. I keep that, plus a bowl of water in the room with the pets. In the bowl, I also have clove oil and tea tree oil droplets, to help keep their lungs open. The clove and tea tree oil work together to form a vapor much like what VapoRub is for humans. If you go that route, don't ever use Eucalyptus, as it is toxic to the little guys. Ferret Remedy is a great alternative, and works just as well.

You can keep the antibiotic treatment going for a full 30 days or so, before the boys start getting immune to them. After that, you may need to switch until you find a combo that works. Since it's likely a Myco Virus issue, and you've done all the right things with the vet, the decision you've made to keep them on meds is perfectly fine.

If you start to notice weight changes..heavier usually means fluid in the lungs, lighter usually means they aren't eating well, then go ahead and have the vet give them sub-q fluids, and injections of cortisone once a month or so. The cortisone will greatly improve their lung capacity, and the fluids will ensure the body is not having to work as hard to fight the bad bug. In fact, if you can, ask the vet to show you how to do the injections, and see if you can do so once a month.

Andrea, you are a terrific and wonderful caring ratty mom! I wish I had rodent lovers like you around here-- I'd adopt to you in a minute!

Cathe