Trimethoprim-sulfa for a respiratory infection?

[xanterra]

I took my boys to the vet today because for the past week they have been sneezing a lot, and the vet said that while they looked healthy and their breathing sounded normal, they should be put on antibiotics just in case. She prescribed 0.3cc of Trimethoprim-sulfa to be given twice a day. I know baytril and doxy are mentioned on here a lot, but I've never heard of this antibiotic. Has anyone else had it prescribed before?

[ratlets]

It's a broad-spectrum antibiotic.  It should work just fine   Rule of thumb for any medication, if there is no improvement within 24-48 hours, seek a different treatment.

[wonderrodent]

This is one of the worst tasting meds out there. So be prepared for a battle... hide it well in food if you can - very well...
ratlets, I thought you should give it about 3 days?

[Scubbs]

For some rats with chronic URIs, 24-48 hours isn't long enough for the medication(s) to start working.  My rule of thumb is about a week.

[xanterra]

This is one of the worst tasting meds out there. So be prepared for a battle... hide it well in food if you can - very well...
ratlets, I thought you should give it about 3 days?

Any suggestions as to how to hide the taste in food (should I squirt it in something)? I tried to give it to them with a syringe, but they turned their little noses up at it and I couldn't force it into their mouth.

[ratlets]

If it takes a week for meds to start working, need a stronger med!

[wonderrodent]

I always mix it in something yummy and serve it on a spoon (so I am sure they got the whole dose) - each rat gets a spoon. You can try: mashed sweet potato (either cooked or baby food), chicken gravy baby food, mashed avocado (very fatty though), soy yogurt, baby oatmeal mixed with soy milk, mashed banana (fresh or baby food), cool whip, even something like mac&cheese or something like that if nothing else works. Don't give them too much otherwise they might not eat the whole thing. You can give them a small treat afterwards so they can get the nasty taste out of their mouth. I wouldn't bother with the syringe. The spoon method has worked for me so far. Good luck!

[Scubbs]

Some rats have a resistance to meds, and it takes a while for them to 'sink in,' so to speak.  But ratlets, in general you're correct if it's just a healthy rat with a URI, and you should see results pretty quickly.

[lilspaz68]

For mild URI I would say 3-4 days you should notice improvement sometimes sooner, with a chronic URI or one that is very sick or has been untreated for a long time, it can take up to a week for a noticeable improvement.  BUT saying that, there should be some signs of improvement or its time to change meds or add to make a combo.

[triciag]

This was recently prescribed for my rats for their URI.   After two weeks on it, they still weren't completely better.  I ended up taking them to a different vet and she said that they probably just needed more time on that anitbiotic, but she ended up giving them baytril instead.  This worked for us.  So far, so good.  I hope that it works for you.