My two rats have always had mild URI symptoms across their 2 years of life (sneezing, porphyrin). They were on Baytril for about 4 months and then, since their symptoms increased to periodic grunting and discharge, were switched to amoxicillin for about 1 month now. The amoxicillin paired with 15 minutes of steam a day seems to have worked better than the Baytril ever did; their eyes are brighter, they sneeze less often, and the presence of porphyrin on their eyes and nose has decreased. However, the symptoms are all still there, they just seem more controlled and lighter.
My question is for those of you with chronic rats. Are chronic rats' symptoms ever really eliminated or should I expect to just keep them at a safe level for the rest of their lives? Do you keep them on antibiotics their whole lives or just when the symptoms seem to be getting worse? I just wonder if it might make more sense to keep up with the steam therapy and only turn back to antibiotics whenever the symptoms get tough again, but I really don't know?
My question is for those of you with chronic rats. Are chronic rats' symptoms ever really eliminated or should I expect to just keep them at a safe level for the rest of their lives? Do you keep them on antibiotics their whole lives or just when the symptoms seem to be getting worse? I just wonder if it might make more sense to keep up with the steam therapy and only turn back to antibiotics whenever the symptoms get tough again, but I really don't know?