Fearghal off to vet

Question:
 Last night Fearghal was making a few grunting noises but seemed otherwise fine. This morning when I held him up to my ear I could hear clicking noises rather than the usual 'whoosh-whoose' noises of a rat's inner workings. Poor guy has what sounds like a respiratory infection! I called my vet straightaway but was worried cos these guys are usually booked solid. And I hated the idea of waiting over the weekend cos he is now over 2 years old and could go downhill very quickly. So I called the vet and PHEW!!! They are booked solid but agreed to see me at 12:30!!!!!! I'M SO RELIEVED!!!!!
I'm also very lucky. Fearghal is almost 26 months and this is his first ever trip to the vet. Actually, I've been pretty lucky with all the guys I have now. Out of my six, the only other two to have gone to the vet were Lili Lambkins (who at nearly 30 months has been to the vet only twice) and Louisa (who at nearly 18 months has been to the vet only once).
I'm off to get the RatMobile ready (have to smuggle them in and out in a cat carrier in case my super's husband is lurking anywhere). Wish us luck, please!


Answer:
 All the best to you & Fearghal. Is he going to Parrots to Ferrets?


Answer:
 Yup, he's going up to Parrots to Ferrets - they're the only exotics vet in this area, really, so they're usually pretty full-up. It was a miracle that they would see me today


Answer:
 Poor Fearghal! I hope his vet visit goes smoothly!


Answer:
 Well, we're back from the vet. Of course, the minute the vet entered the room he stopped making the grunting noises and I couldn't even hear the clicking anymore Luckily, the vet listened twice and heard it, so he's on baytril for 14 days.
I brought Louisa up, as well - to keep him company, and to have her listened to as well since she's started making the monkey noises again. Good thing, too, cos her lungs are now noisy So she's on baytril for 7 days.
I booked an appt for next Saturday for a recheck but can take them back at any time during the week if things don't improve.
God, if there's one thing I hate, it's dealing with a respiratory infection, especially when the lungs are involved...I can handle tumours, and pituitary tumours. But resp problems freak me out


Answer:
 Bridget I will keep them both in my thoughts. How bad are respitory infections in rats? Im trying to learn all I can and am actually got two new baby girls picked out to get after my vacation to try to give Rosey new female friends.


Answer:
 Christy, respiratory infections are all too common in rats, sadly. Each rat (except those born in sterile lab conditions) is born with mycoplasma in their system. Triggers such as irritants, stress, low immune sytem, etc. can cause an outbreak. If left untreated, respiratory infections can kill a rat. A good combo is Baytril/Doxy, although the vet only prescribed Baytril for my guys this time. Some rats can have a flare-up, be successfully treated and be fine for months, while some rats will have a relapse fairly soon afterwards. Some rats end up on meds for the rest of their lives to keep the myco in check. With each flareup, damage is done to the lungs (scar tissue), which is another reason why treatment has to be sought quickly. I was shocked that Louisa's lungs are involved because she has not been acting ill at all and I've heard no lung sounds when I held her up. She's just been making the monkey noises again
Here's a really good site that explains myco in rats: http://www.rmca.org/Articles/myco.htm
Another medical problem to which females are more prone are tumours:
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/tumors.htm
But to be honest, I'll take a tumour over a resp infection any day of the week I think they're more expensive to deal with (surgery can be pricey), but alot easier on the nerves.


Answer:
 Poor ratties!! I wonder if any natural supplement might help them? Maybe enhaling some essential oils etc? Best of luck Banshee.


Answer:
 Any word on Fearghal?


Answer:
 Fearghal's doing well but I don't see any change in Louisa - she's still active and energetic and eating like a piggy, but I think she sounds worse when I listen to her chest. I'm worried that the 7 day course of baytril isn't going to be enough to knock the infection (especially where she was on it for 2 weeks earlier and has flared again). Didn't think so at the time but when I questioned the wisdom of it with the vet, the vet got kind of snippy. But I've been talking to a few other rat people and they agree. So I'm going to call tomorrow and get some Zithromax for her -- I don't want to take any chance on letting the infection get stuck in and scar her lungs