Wheezing will cause damage?

[Macie_and_Emma]

About a week or so ago, I took both my wheezing snuffly girls to the vet.  He prescribed sulfameth, which after 4 1/2 days of not working, he discontinued and started up with chloramphenicol (which, I may add, expired in 1995, but as the vet said, would not hurt them and is there best bet).  After 4 days on that, there still is no significant change.  I am checking in with him tomorrow, and most likely he will change the medicine.  I don't mind the trying stuff out to see what works, because I'm going to have to keep them on it for the rest of their lives, but, they've been wheezing (not all the time, just when they get excited and when they eat and when they don't want to be given medicine and are getting frustrated, and times like that ::whew: for 2 weeks now, and I'm concerned that there will permanent damage to their tiny little lungs.  The wheezing has gotten a little better, not as loud as it was, but they're still snuffly.  Also, my vet says that if I treat one, I should treat both because they eat, sleep, and play together, so whatever virus one has, the other's got it too.  Is he right?  What should I do?  

~Thanks

Lauren

[hyper_muse]

Well I can't really help you here.
I have never had a rat that has been wheezing, let alone visit a vet (never needed to).
Maybe it might be a good idea to get alittle more advice from a different vet?
I wouldnt care whether the expired medicine wouldn't harm my rats, I would rather it be effective.
What if your rat doesnt have a virus, and it isnt contageous? Your making your other little rattie take medicine for no reason. I suppose it's always good to be safe.
I am no expert, so don't listen to me.
I'm justing telling you what I would do if it was me in your position. (get a second opinion)
I hope everything goes well, and nothing is too serious

[Dearpie]

Actually, wheezing is a symptom of a respitory infection and you need to be using some meds that aren't expired for 8 years!! He CHARGED you for these?!?!?!?!   They may not 'hurt' but they certainly wouldn't HELP either!!  I do believe that is totally unethical.

My vet typically starts us on a baytril and amoxy combination for 21 days.  If there are still issues after that, then he switches over to a course of doxy.  I'd suggest you get a new vet and take in copy of the drug chart .....   Best of luck!!

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm

[Lone Star Rats]

I agree, I would try *unexpired* meds which are effective in treating respiratory infections.. Baytril, Baytril/Doxy combo, Zithromax, etc.

I personally wouldn't use meds expired by a month, let alone 8 YERS!  That is horrible.. if you paid for that, I'd honestly demand a refund and that your "next" set of meds and the visit be free.

Wheezing may also be the result of allergies.  You might want to try children's benadryl on them to see if it makes a difference.  The dosage is .2mg/lb

[Macie_and_Emma]

No, he didn't charge me for the meds, he wasn't sure if they would work.  I also don't have to pay for the visits either, so money is not an issue.  Its just, if they continue wheezing, will there be permanent damage to their lungs?  Is there already?

[ratmansion]

  About the expired meds,  with chloramphenicol, it is not an issue.  Also, chloramphenicol is practically unavailable in the U.S.A. (unless you get the lab grade used for antibiotic testing and technically that is meant to be used in animals or humans), so some vets are using whatever stock they have available.  It is one of the few meds that hamsters can take and it is making treatment to these critters very difficult.
  About the respiratory symptoms, it is probably bacterial (very difficult to test otherwise).  So antibiotics are a great idea, but not the ones that your vet used as a first choice, the sulfa will take care of most enteric bacteria which is not what you would normally find in a rat's lungs.  Chloramphenicol is very weak against Myco (if it is Myco) unless used in combination with another med.  Baytril should have been the first choice, so you can probably ask your vet for that next.
  About the wheezing and lung scarring, that is something that you would have to monitor after they get better (and they WILL get better once they get  the right meds).  Right now, there is no way to tell.
  What kind of bedding are you using?  Rats can be very sensitive to the bedding they are exposed to.
  I hope your ratties get better.