Respiratory Infections, Baytril, and Baytril Otic
I don't see a lot of questions here, but I think there should be a good number of knowledgeable rat owners out there.
I have a female rat with a respiratory infection. I don't think she's going to live very long, but I'd like to treat her. She's now easily a thousand dollar rat given the vet bills, but I don't want her to die of a respiratory infection. She beat cancer and all the previous respiratory infections, so I have a question.
Is Baytril in liquid form from the vet the same as Baytril Otic? It seems to be the only liquid form of Baytril available. If not, what's the best way I can treat her?
Any input is welcome, and thank you for your time.
Posted Apr 24, 2012, 4:17 AM UTC
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My vet usually treats with a Baytril Doxy combo. If your vet cannot compound him/herself, they can call it in to a human compounding pharmacy. He also has prescribed nebulizing solution to help their breathing. Steam can help. I would take her in soon because respiratory infections can progress quickly. Just a heads up - in 20 years of owning rats, I have never had a vet who would not keep a standing order for an appropriately dosed antibiotic so that I could treat as necessary without racking up an unnecessary vet bill each time. Talk with your vet about that.
That was a very concise reply, thank you.
Do you know if Baytril Otic is the same liquid formula prescribed? I'm in a unique bind now. I have to support myself and my parents partially, so my finances are largely limited. This rat has been prescribed Baytril in liquid form before, I'm just not certain about the silver sulfadiazine.
Batril Otic is not for internal use and is not what you had before. The liquid you give a rat is made from the tablet form in a suspension. I am assuming your rat has been seen by a vet. I would first try calling them and letting them know what your situation is. I have had vets who will calculate the dosage per 100 grams that the rat weighs and let me then weight and dose them. They may be able to call the prescription in for you or prepare it. Most vets understand that rats have chronic respiratory issues and will work with you to make it affordable. Otherwise, if you have to have a visit, you can make it the last for this issue and be sure there is a standing order or that they mix enough up to last a while.
That sounds like it might be workable. I'll try to work with my vet for the issue.
Thank you again. I know this rat probably isn't going to live out her full lifespan, but I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible. Thank you for helping.
My pleasure. Try steam to help ease her breathing. I sometimes just steam the bathroom up by running the shower and carry a sick rat around in there to ease their breathing and for very sick rats, I have turned a small aquarium upside down on the kitchen counter with a section hanging over the sink, then put a steaming kettle underneath to steam up the aquarium. It works a bit like a nebulizer. You don't want it to be airtight and you don't want to leave them in there too long, but getting some steam helps quite a bit. Good luck to the two of you!!