Rat respiratory problems

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Lynn Rowell — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 23:28:20 GMT

My text book " Blackwells 5 minute consult for small mammals" talks about using a bronchodilator (Salbutamol ) for acute respiratory distress. 1 puff in a spacer . Maybe worth a try!!

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:54:36 GMT

[quote user="Charlotte Lyon"] We have the tylan powder but the doses seem impossible to transfer to a rat so injectable the way to go?[/quote]

This could be all wrong, I freely admit, but I make up a dilution for the client so that they dose it with quite manageable amounts, say 0.1ml bid. Seems to work for me.

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Charlie Lyon — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:20:02 GMT

Thanks for the replies, I have a feeling PM would be the only way to get an answer! We have the tylan powder but the doses seem impossible to transfer to a rat so injectable the way to go?

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Marie Kubiak — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:28:05 GMT

Mycoplasmosis is by far the most likely main pathogen but there may well be other factors (diet, ventilation, hygiene, stress, inhalant irritants, ageing population) and other opportunistic/novel pathogens (Sendai, sialodacryoadenitis virus, rat respiratory virus, pneumonia virus, Chlamydia spp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Strep spp., cilia associated respiratory bacillus...) altering the stable carrier state and tipping the rats into clinical disease.

It is difficult to confirm a diagnosis of mycoplasmosis as most rats carry Mycoplasma pulmonis as a commensal and the simple detection of it doesn't confirm it as the cause of the clinical problem. The ideal would be to euthanase one (ideally two or three but most owners baulk at this) of the sickest and submit trachea and lung samples for histo and culture to identify the range of pathogens present and determine treatment options. A BAL can also be done but is a bit fiddly and will only really give you bacteriology not assessment of viruses.

If the diagnostic steps are declined then medical trial therapy is an option. Enrofloxacin and tetracyclines are useful first line drugs but if treatment failure is seen then azithromycin or tylosin can be good alternatives for mycoplasma and many of the other bacterial causes. I usually add twice daily nebulisation with saline or a 1:250 dilution of F10 disinfectant in saline plus a short course of meloxicam at 1mg/kg bid for 5d.

Marie

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Benjamin Alyoshkin — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 15:57:52 GMT

Hello

Treated recently an <1 yo male rat (from a group of three males, Pets at Home own animals) with some moderate-severe respiratory presentation with enrofloxacin, meloxicam and bisolvon (Kevin Eatwell's doses, should pretty much match the doses in BSAVA Exotic Species book). My rat responded very well against my expectations. My recent experience of using the same protocol for respiratory disease in rabbits has not been as successful. Could the clinical picture in your patient be a sequel to overcrowding and associated peer pressure/ immune suppresion of sorts? Easter Bush Hospital (Exotics) at Edinburgh Uni is a marvel for free advice on exotics, which I have used a couple of times with gratutide and professional satisfaction. Cheers

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Charlie Lyon — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 11:27:41 GMT

She does seem to be pretty good with general husbandry but I will double check thanks - she keeps them on shredded tea bag cases.

She has them in various places - house\sheds and it is only one shed affected so wondering if there could be an infectious component?

RE: Rat respiratory problems

Timothy Miles — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:08:35 GMT

If not done so already check bedding and that no ammonia is being created by their urine.