Antibiotic/Vet advice

[missjess]

I've got a 5 week old ratty that I saved from a pet store as he has a severe respiratory infection. He sounds absolutely horrible, yet he's still very spritely (loves playing) and is eating normally.

I already have Baytril on hand, but I took him to the vet for an alternative as I read that Baytril should not be given to rats under 4 months old. The vet prescribed doxycycline (Vibravet) to be given once a day. I'm concerned that this isn't a strong enough antibiotic for his condition and that it should be given twice a day instead of just once. Am I right in being concerned? If so, what antibiotic/s should he be on?

Also, can anyone recommend a vet in Brisbane that has a lot of rat experience? The vet I currently take my rats to is supposed to be good with rats but I'm not so sure....

I'm still new to rats so any advice on caring for a 5 week old would be greatly appreciated. Should I be feeding him anything special?

[wulfyskingdom]

have a look at www.dapper.com.au it has a current list of vets - you'll be sure to find one near you.

Highest recommended vets I've heard people use are on the Northside: Dr Fields and on the Southside: Dr Monks and in the west: Dr Ladyko

Brighton Vet Surgery is also treating exotics now too.

[wulfyskingdom]

oh medication wise, I cant advise but if you're interested in medications, and their effects and their dosages, see the rat guide:

www.ratguide.com I found it really helpful and keep it handy so I can read what the medication means sometimes when I didnt quite understand or remember what the vet says, or just get health pointers from.

[missjess]

Thanks for the info. My rats have been going to Wilston Vet but Dr Brothers is hardly ever available and I mostly have to see Dr Cox instead. She's supposed to be good with rats but she put my 3 month old on Baytril and would have put the baby on it too if I hadn't told her they're not supposed to take it so young. When I brought the baby in for medication I had already researched the rat guide meds page and asked her about several antibiotics I thought would be good, but some they didn't have in stock and others were injectable. I gave her the URL but she wasn't interested at all.

I will see if the baby improves over the next few days, if not I will take him to Dr Monks. My partner is already so attached to him, he'll be devastated if we lose the little tyke

[toby]

hope the little guy is recovering ok.