Expert: Sandra Todd - 6/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandy…

I finally called it quits with Snookies Vet and took her to the Avian and Exotic Medical Center Of Ohio Dr. Dahlhausen and Dr. Witalis.  My last conversation with the former Vet convinced me I was spinning my wheels.  His knowledge of Rats came across to me as shallow.  He seemed to have run out of ideas and direction. I felt as if I were calling the shots and he was simply agreeing with what I had to say.
The new prescription I received today was Azithromycin mixed in a tasty suspension.  I did some research on the antibiotic and discovered it to be effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae.  The manner in which this macrolide antibiotic works is interesting and makes a lot of sense to prescribe.  Azithromycin is effective against chest infections such as pneumonia and infections of the linings in the lungs.  Maybe I’m wrong, but why try to fight Mycoplasma with keeping it in check and thus risk the bacteria becoming more resistant as time progresses.  The only issue I can see are some minor side effects.   Azithromycin is absorbed in the intestine and absorbed by the liver.  A potential build up of the substance can cause nausea.  The drug should be taken for 5 days.  The prescription is for 10 days. I’ll try anything now.  Baytril is just not doing the trick.  Hope I'm on track this time.  Thanks for the suggesting the Vet. I couldn't afford to make another bad choice. One quick question, I did not have a chance to ask the Vet if I can give Snookie Baytril for another day until the Azithromycin kicks in.  What do you think?


ANSWER: Hi RIc

Yes yes, zithromax is good for myco.  Have you read my site about myco?
It is the drug to use in young rats instead of baytril and in fact it seems to work when baytril fails.
It works fast and they baytril is in the rats system already so no need to worry about dosing baytril while waiting for the zithromax to kick in. It would be an overload of antibiotics.

Let me know how it goes.

Read my site on myco when you get a chance. I decided to add it to my site a while back since so many people ask about myco.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/mycoplasmosispage.htm

BTW zithromax is azithromycin.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I read the myco section on your site.  Excellent and concise.   I wish I would have had access to this sort of info sooner.  I would stress these key points with every Rat owner that early detection, a knowledgeable Vet, the most effective antibiotic and sustained treatment is very important it dealing with myco.  You effectively inform the reader of these critical points.

Best Regards…

Ric


ANSWER: I currently have a rat living on a high end daily dose of baytril in the morning and keflex in the afternoon.  He is fine on it, soon as we run out, he gets all snuffly and congested and coughs etc...

I have invested in a nebulizer and the vet has given me liquid albuterol and some saline (its hilarious, its in a huge IV bag! LOL I have to draw .3mls of it from the IV bag.  ANyhow, next time Socrates is all congested I am going to nebulize both the baytril and the albuterol and see how fast he clears up.  I did not mention using a nebulizer on my site so I will go over that plus a successful treatment for the very deadly strep pnuemonia and also pneumonia caused by myco. The strep pneumonia is harder to treat and requires serious aggressive antibiotic therapy, oxygen therapy, which would mean the rat stays at the vets, and using the nebulizer adding gentamycin (Probably spelled wrong and I am too lazy to look it up)

I was in more of a rush to get the page up on myco but I will go over it and add more later on.   My cat had to have his tail amputated (long story!) and he is getting his stitches out today.  He looks hilarious. The tail is all bandaged up but we put a plastic syringe case (XXL size) over the end, cutting another hole in the case so it slides down, but the air can get in, and he could not bite the surgical site unless he gnawed the tube.  

Anyhow, I am glad things are working out.  Keep me posted and if you can think of anything on my site that I should add anywhere concerning ANYTHING, let me know. I am always trying to keep current and help other rat owners.

Sandy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I really appreciate your replies.  Your emails contain vital information that had helped me tremendously.  Sorry about your Cat.  I hope he won’t have any permanent issues with balance.  I was administering the Doxy-Baytril dose in sort of the same scheme as you were doing with Keflex and Baytril.  The Doxy-Baytril cocktail as suggested in a few scientific websites worked quite well and to the surprise of my former Vet as well.

I started the Azithromycin dosage last night.  Snookie had not received a Baytril dose in over 12 hours prior to that time.  Around 10 PM her breathing became difficult and appeared to be the worst ever.  She seems better today, but doesn’t have much of an appetite.   At this point in time I have to play it by ear.  Last night, I had no one to turn to except you.  Your timely response was greatly appreciated.

Which leads me to another issue…  I am having problems with my new Vet.  (actually not the Vet - but the receptionist).  The receptionist will not allow me to ask questions or talk to anyone.  It appears since my Niece took Snookie to the Vet, and received an explanation concerning the medication and treatment he will not allow anymore communication.  In his words, you should have brought the pet here yourself.  Since I work during the day and support critical information systems, I could not take the pet to the Vet.  Since I’m paying the bill and administering the medicine I have a right to speak to the Vet.  At first he said I could talk to a technician.  But the technician never returned my call.  I was simply handed a container of  Azithromycin and told if her condition didn’t improve in 10 days, she may have to be given Antibiotics. At this point I have a total disconnect with the Vet because I have a receptionist I can’t get past.  So your input and suggestions are critical.  My Norwegian Rat Brownie (which I haven’t mentioned until now) was taken to the same Vet on Wednesday to have a fatty Tumor removed. You would think after having spent over $300.00 in two days on Snookie and Brownie, I would at least deserve a conversation with the Vet.  At least my former Vet would return my calls.  His staff was very accommodating.  Therefore, I am asking if you can recommend other Vets in the Northern Cincinnati area that I could visit just in case.  I’m still in state of disbelief about this situation.

Best regards, Ric


Answer
The Animal Hospital on Mt. Lookout Sq.
3175 Linwood Ave
Cincinnati OH 45208
Phone:    513-871-8866
Website: www.ahomls.com


This is the only other place I have listed. Check out the website.
I am so sorry you were treated with such disrespect! Next time you need me right away would be to telephone me so if you want to make our next follow up private I would be more than happy to consult with you via telephone. I have  done it several times so its no problem.
However, this doesnt excuse the lack of professionalism that the staff at this clinic displayed and I feel actually embarassed that they acted that way.  However, I dont always blame the vet. Sometimes the staff take things into their own hands and make decisions for the vet that the vet had no idea about and this includes financial arrangements as well. Some vets are more than happy to  allow you to post date a check and break payments into several smaller payments etc...but you must ask the Vet, not the staff or they will simply deny you.  Once long ago I was told by a vet that finances should never stand in the way of a pets health and the next thing I am told by the people at the front desk if that I had to pay for treatment in FULL before they would even touch my kitten.  What the Vet said and what the staff said were not the same thing.  My vet is so awesome I have his personal cell phone number for emergencies!!          

I would try to talk to the vet myself and let him know    what occured.  IF it continues , fire him, move on to the next vet but be sure to let this one know just what it was that made you fire him. Trust me, they dont want to lose a customer...and may apologize profusely   after that.
They SHOULD!!!!!