my pet rat recently fell ill. He is very thin.He is very torpid. He has a very rapid heartbeat which makes him shake accompanied by him bruxing constantly. He not eating or drinking very much. I just started giving him a antibiotic called tetracycline. What is the proper dosage for a 8 week old rat? What is the cause of his rapid heart defeat? How long before I start to see improvement in his health? What can I do to help him get better?
Infact I did go to the vet where the vet only prescribe to the tetracycline.
One of the rat sites has a medicine chart listing the different types and doses. I am not a vet so cannot attest to the validity of the information, but it is a site I receive a lot of information from, and it is always recommended by other rat sites. It was written by the Rat Club of America. It is:
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm
You need to make sure your little one is hydrated. Give him unflavored Pedialyte or Gatorade. Use one half water to one half other. It should help rehydrate him. Try Kmr (kitten Milk Replacement) mixed with water if all else fails for food. Use a syringe to give it. (pet stores carry it. shaking is because he is ill, but I am not qualified to say if it is the infection or another matter. Keep him warm. When my mice are ill with Uris, it sometimes helps to hold them. If anything, it will consolation your boy.
I am sorry he is ill. Hope he improves.
ADDENDUM: I would like to add one thing. When my mice and the rats ( rats as they are not mine) are ill with respiratory problems, I have always been given either Baytril or Doxycycline by the vet.
You need to speak with your veterinarian. The amount of medication appropriate for your rat depends upon his weight. Please call your vet Asap before giving medication. )
if you saw a vet you wouldve told you