Help guys - instant breathing relief! Improvement!

Hi all, I started using Megazorb this week and one of the babies has started sneezing when they were all previously very healthy. The girl rats are not bothered by it, but Marsh is taking it particularly badly and crackling away on my shoulder as we speak. It's too late in the day to get him to a vet, is there anything I can do to give him relief now?

I tried getting him in the bathroom to steam but our hot water is weedy and there was barely enough steam, I was just scaring him more. I have some very strong (like 70% dark chocolate) if that would help? I'd only give him a chip size of course, it's just about the purest dark choc you can get. Apart from that, I'm not sure what I can do.

Argent said:

Hi all, I started using Megazorb this week and one of the babies has started sneezing when they were all previously very healthy. The girl rats are not bothered by it, but Marsh is taking it particularly badly and crackling away on my shoulder as we speak. It's too late in the day to get him to a vet, is there anything I can do to give him relief now?

I tried getting him in the bathroom to steam but our hot water is weedy and there was barely enough steam, I was just scaring him more. I have some very strong (like 70% dark chocolate) if that would help? I'd only give him a chip size of course, it's just about the purest dark choc you can get. Apart from that, I'm not sure what I can do.

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if he's just crackling don't worry, its when they are horribly congested or are having trouble breathing you try immediate home treatment.

it seems some people like it and others really don't

http://cutiecavies.proboards.com/index. ... hread=5376

Righto...I'll remove all traces of Megazorb from the boys cage and see if he improves. His was very sudden, but I've heard one of the baby boys sneezing for a day or two now. Good to know it's nothing to worry about.

Argent said:

Righto...I'll remove all traces of Megazorb from the boys cage and see if he improves. His was very sudden, but I've heard one of the baby boys sneezing for a day or two now. Good to know it's nothing to worry about.

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he may still need a vet but he should be okay until you are able to make an appt.

Ok, I'll keep a close eye on him...I had him out on my shoulder/lap for ages and he quietened down after a bit, but we'll see how he goes.

I found this nasal spray for kids, it's only a saline and I spray that near the rats nose when they are too stuffy and can't seem to catch a break. It seems to clear them up for the time being.

Ooh I'm going to the chemist later, I'll have to have a lookout for it! I have one for nasal rhinitis but that's probably got all kinds in and too high a dose.
He was crackly about 20 mins ago (this morning) when I checked on him first thing, but all seems to have gone quiet now, I think it's only when he's sniffing at things now.

I think we're using the same stuff, only its called Boxo? Sold at WalMart? Its much cheaper than carefresh, packs nicely for poop pickups but there is no scent to it. I prefer it over the Carefresh. We're not getting any issues thankfully. Hope your lil one is better soon!

Nah megazorb is a horse bedding, like carefresh but tinier bits. They say it's dust extracted but it must still be dusty...the girls don't have a problem with it though.

Well I got rid of the megazorb from the cage yesterday (had to wait til I'd been shopping to get more newspapers! >.<) and Marshy's still crackling away...it's not ridiculously loud anymore, and I can't hear it while he's just pootling about the cage, it's when I go over and talk to him and he starts sniffing the air. Do you reckon he's still just getting the dust out of his system or is it vet time? He was a bit out of sorts the other night, but has since perked up (they normally attack the cage doors at dinner time but he didn't the first night I heard him crackle). Last night he was much more active and normal. I don't want to fill him up with meds straight away if he's not ill and it's just the dust getting out of his system...at the same time, I don't like the crackling...

Since I've moved, I'll be going to a new vet, that's a very small practice and has little experience with rattums. They said they'd treat them for small things, but if it was anything 'specialist' they'd refer me...which is useful when all I have for transport are my feet...Anyway, I could go in there and demand a months worth of Baytril couldn't I? If I know better than they do lol

I think at this point, I'd get him checked plus that will give you a chance to meet your new vet and get a feel for him.

Alrighty then, lets see if I can get an appointment this late on a friday afternoon!

Well! I got an appointment! My vet has a veeeerrrryy scottish accent XD He's given me a large amount of Baytril to keep him going 2+ weeks...
It's in the water...not my fav choice but he said not to stress him out with force feeding and whatnot so I'll go with it for now. Marshy's quiet in the cage, so I'll just try and keep things calm for him so no more damage is caused to his lungs.

The vet suggested pneumonia at first! And said if he's got it, chances are the others have! I did tell him we moved house and he suffered with the heat 3 weeks back, and this appears to have been set off by new bedding but he wouldn't have it and believes they're contageous. I think the heat probably compromised his immune system, making the dust from the megazorb bother him more than it would have normally. Either way, he's on Baytril for a few weeks now and the vet wanted to see him still on the Baytril for a minimum of 5 days after the symptoms disappear. I have mixed feelings about this vet.

It's only day 2 on the Baytril, but I keep fearing it won't do the trick...I've been able to hear Marsh's breathing across the room periodically today and it doesn't sound good. He's sat on my knee at the moment bruxing and crackling away, his little lungs look like they're hard at work and I don't think I could wait through another week or more of this to wait for symptoms to fade Can I buy Zithromax online or should I ask the vet for some and feed him both orally to really nip it in the bud?

Actually, can anyone tell me the right dosage to give him orally? I'm afraid he's not going to get his full dose in the water and it'll be wasted money and just prolonging his pain.
He's 605g and the Baytril is 2.5% Oral med.

He's definitely not getting his full dose with it in the water, in fact some rats will dehydrate themselves rather than drink polluted water. PM lilspaz, she might be able to help you with dosage.
You could call your vet and tell him that your rats stopped drinking the water so could you please get individual dosing.

Ok, thanks - if anything he's looking slightly worse...and sounding it >.< it's depressing to hear...

Just an update. It's day 3 of meds, only 2nd day of correct dosage now. I've not heard much difference in his breathing. He's ok when he's resting, but when he's out and about, it sounds just as bad as ever. I'm hoping he stays chirpy for the week and the Baytril does kick in eventually. I've been boiling the kettle and putting a washing up bowl of steaming water on the ground by the cage and propping up a piece of the girls cage with a towel over it so the steam is directed at Marsh. I wish I had some Olbas oil to put in...we don't even have any Vicks I think I'll pop to the pharmacy tomorrow to get some if it's safe?

I think it might be a little strong for him. I would just go with the plain steam. Maybe someone knows more about Vicks.

I'll put the steaming on hold for now, I've been advised to try children's sudafed in case it's scarring that's making the noise rather than illness. I've still got him on the Baytril, I'm just not seeing or hearing an improvement. He's acting like himself in all other aspects now.

You won't see an improvement right away. My vet now puts them on Baytril for 2 to 3 months.