Post by Mil on Oct 30, 2011 12:12:01 GMT -5
Transferred from the TRRQ Discussion Board Formerly on Facebook:
Carol Weekes
The vet and I think Jackie developed an ear infection; she's been on prednisone, with doxycycline, but now its chlorophenicol and baytril, plus Surolan ear drops for six days. She has very 'upbeat' moments, and then moments where she looks very tired still. She still can't jump/climb like she was just over a week ago, although she still walks very well. Use of all limbs is good; just this lack of energy. Not sneezing much, poryphrink production has slowed somewhat...but has anyone else here had experience with ear infections in rats? I'm assuming that they're like people in that it can take a few weeks, especially when they are older?
Much thanks for any offered advice or anecdotes of your own experience with this.
about 6 months ago
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Jessica Cartwright
I have recently adopted a 1 year old female with a head tilt (ear infection) and respirtary illness. I have just taken her to the vet and got her on some baytril, I am very new to this and hope she recovers. She is still climbing and ery active and loving. I also have a little 7 week old who has also got the sniffles, the vet has precribed drugs for her but i have been reading on the net that baytril is very strong and shouldnt be given to rats less than 3months of age, so i might hold off for a little bit. All the best for our sick little rats. x x
about 6 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Hi Jessica;
You can't give baytril to a rat under four months old; better to go with something like novo-trimel or bactrim. As it turns out, Jackie had a stroke (which can mimic an ear infection, except the antibiotics did nothing - weakness on one side, mouth a little weaker, etc.); I just got her onto dexamethesone today and WHAT a difference; she went from limp on her side like a pancake to up and actually walking, albeit with a bit of imbalance...
Head tilt will require a good anti-inflammatory too; not just antibiotics. Although baytril is a good drug, sometimes, it does not work.
Ask for either Metacam to go with the baytril, or prednisone (the first one, Metacam, is an NSAID, the second, prednisone, is a corticosteroid - they CANNOT be used together (stomach bleeding); it has to be one or the other. Dexamethesone is more powerful than prednisone, and is often a better choice for rats. With ear infections, the antibiotics will help with the bacteria, but do nothing for inflammation of the 8th cranial nerve which gets compressed/irritated by the inflammation of the infection and causes the heat tilt/imbalance. You may very well want to ask for an anti-inflammatory to accompany the baytril; the baytril should be used for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Although the infection will go away, sometimes the head tilt itself will remain; often it lessens, but the rat can still have a slight 'twist' to their head. This is okay; the rat will adjust and continue on happily, as long as the actual infection is removed. She will recover, with aggressive medical treatment, lots of TLC; and give it a chance - it can take weeks to resolve, not days.
With the baby, ask for a milder drug, and make sure she's on it for a good six weeks.
Keep them eating with soft baby foods (chicken with sweet potato, squash, etc), Pablum, baby powder soy formula mixed with water, Ensure, etc.: they must keep eating to keep nourishment and liquids into them to prevent dehyrdration.
A bit of organic probiotic yogurt will help maintain positive gut flora in their stomach during antibiotic use.
I hope your sweeties recover very soon; always best to treat them. If your young one continues another day or two with 'sniffles', get some bactrim or novo-trimel for her; better to be safe than sorry.
All best!
about 6 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
p.s; If you find the baytril not working, you can try combining it with doxycycline; but another good choice is chloramphenicol (called Chloropalm 125 or 250); it's a white liquid; don't get it on your skin (if you do, wash it off immediately). Azithromycin is another good choice. If you don't see any improvement within three to five days, switch to another antibiotic; but you need an anti-inflammatory too. I can't believe the vet didn't suggest this. Be persistent when you want things from them. Read up on ear infections in rats and their treatments; go to the vet armed with knowledge. It can make a difference for your ratties.
Best of luck.
about 6 months ago
----------
Jessica Cartwright
Hi Carol,
Well Im glad to hear about ur little rattie, thats great news.
And thank you so much for your knowledge, this has really helped, i had funny feelings abut my vet and baytril, i knew there was more to know. I will see a different vet as this one was even a bit funny handling the rats. In her country they dont have rats for pets and think we are very strange people. Anyway....
Cheers Jess
about 6 months ago
----------
Carol Weekes
I'm sad to say I lost my precious Jackie today at 5pm; I don't know what it was exactly, but I suspect it was a stroke. She became paralyzed on her right side; everything went downhill in the last week. She had one good day yesterday with dexametheson, but it didn't last. She just couldn't take anymore in a body that wouldnt' allow her to sit up, walk, or even eat properly. She passed in my arms only hours ago. I ache, I miss her, but I understand why she felt the need to go.
I hope your little one feels better soon; always listen to your gut hunch - it is usually correct.
about 6 months ago
------------
Jessica Cartwright
Awww Gee I am very very sorry. Its horrible i can relate to your feeling of loosing her. Much love to you.
MY little one seems to be quite happy, eating and exploring ect, however i do worry about the wheezy breathing and her head being tilted. I can only nurture and take care of her i guess.
Well take care. xx
about 6 months ago
Carol Weekes
The vet and I think Jackie developed an ear infection; she's been on prednisone, with doxycycline, but now its chlorophenicol and baytril, plus Surolan ear drops for six days. She has very 'upbeat' moments, and then moments where she looks very tired still. She still can't jump/climb like she was just over a week ago, although she still walks very well. Use of all limbs is good; just this lack of energy. Not sneezing much, poryphrink production has slowed somewhat...but has anyone else here had experience with ear infections in rats? I'm assuming that they're like people in that it can take a few weeks, especially when they are older?
Much thanks for any offered advice or anecdotes of your own experience with this.
about 6 months ago
-------------
Jessica Cartwright
I have recently adopted a 1 year old female with a head tilt (ear infection) and respirtary illness. I have just taken her to the vet and got her on some baytril, I am very new to this and hope she recovers. She is still climbing and ery active and loving. I also have a little 7 week old who has also got the sniffles, the vet has precribed drugs for her but i have been reading on the net that baytril is very strong and shouldnt be given to rats less than 3months of age, so i might hold off for a little bit. All the best for our sick little rats. x x
about 6 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
Hi Jessica;
You can't give baytril to a rat under four months old; better to go with something like novo-trimel or bactrim. As it turns out, Jackie had a stroke (which can mimic an ear infection, except the antibiotics did nothing - weakness on one side, mouth a little weaker, etc.); I just got her onto dexamethesone today and WHAT a difference; she went from limp on her side like a pancake to up and actually walking, albeit with a bit of imbalance...
Head tilt will require a good anti-inflammatory too; not just antibiotics. Although baytril is a good drug, sometimes, it does not work.
Ask for either Metacam to go with the baytril, or prednisone (the first one, Metacam, is an NSAID, the second, prednisone, is a corticosteroid - they CANNOT be used together (stomach bleeding); it has to be one or the other. Dexamethesone is more powerful than prednisone, and is often a better choice for rats. With ear infections, the antibiotics will help with the bacteria, but do nothing for inflammation of the 8th cranial nerve which gets compressed/irritated by the inflammation of the infection and causes the heat tilt/imbalance. You may very well want to ask for an anti-inflammatory to accompany the baytril; the baytril should be used for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Although the infection will go away, sometimes the head tilt itself will remain; often it lessens, but the rat can still have a slight 'twist' to their head. This is okay; the rat will adjust and continue on happily, as long as the actual infection is removed. She will recover, with aggressive medical treatment, lots of TLC; and give it a chance - it can take weeks to resolve, not days.
With the baby, ask for a milder drug, and make sure she's on it for a good six weeks.
Keep them eating with soft baby foods (chicken with sweet potato, squash, etc), Pablum, baby powder soy formula mixed with water, Ensure, etc.: they must keep eating to keep nourishment and liquids into them to prevent dehyrdration.
A bit of organic probiotic yogurt will help maintain positive gut flora in their stomach during antibiotic use.
I hope your sweeties recover very soon; always best to treat them. If your young one continues another day or two with 'sniffles', get some bactrim or novo-trimel for her; better to be safe than sorry.
All best!
about 6 months ago
-----------
Carol Weekes
p.s; If you find the baytril not working, you can try combining it with doxycycline; but another good choice is chloramphenicol (called Chloropalm 125 or 250); it's a white liquid; don't get it on your skin (if you do, wash it off immediately). Azithromycin is another good choice. If you don't see any improvement within three to five days, switch to another antibiotic; but you need an anti-inflammatory too. I can't believe the vet didn't suggest this. Be persistent when you want things from them. Read up on ear infections in rats and their treatments; go to the vet armed with knowledge. It can make a difference for your ratties.
Best of luck.
about 6 months ago
----------
Jessica Cartwright
Hi Carol,
Well Im glad to hear about ur little rattie, thats great news.
And thank you so much for your knowledge, this has really helped, i had funny feelings abut my vet and baytril, i knew there was more to know. I will see a different vet as this one was even a bit funny handling the rats. In her country they dont have rats for pets and think we are very strange people. Anyway....
Cheers Jess
about 6 months ago
----------
Carol Weekes
I'm sad to say I lost my precious Jackie today at 5pm; I don't know what it was exactly, but I suspect it was a stroke. She became paralyzed on her right side; everything went downhill in the last week. She had one good day yesterday with dexametheson, but it didn't last. She just couldn't take anymore in a body that wouldnt' allow her to sit up, walk, or even eat properly. She passed in my arms only hours ago. I ache, I miss her, but I understand why she felt the need to go.
I hope your little one feels better soon; always listen to your gut hunch - it is usually correct.
about 6 months ago
------------
Jessica Cartwright
Awww Gee I am very very sorry. Its horrible i can relate to your feeling of loosing her. Much love to you.
MY little one seems to be quite happy, eating and exploring ect, however i do worry about the wheezy breathing and her head being tilted. I can only nurture and take care of her i guess.
Well take care. xx
about 6 months ago