Sick Rat and Meds Question-help!

[SleepingxBeauty5]

Hello. My name is Miriam and I have never posted here before, and this is an awful way to start, but I need help! I adopted my first pair of rats about 8 months ago when they were 6 weeks old. Within the first week I adopted them I had to make a trip to the vet because they had a very bad URI. Since then they have been fine and have not had a flare up. Well, we just got to our vacation place and I noticed they are starting to flare up and show signs of a URI again. I was worried that would happen from the stress of the car ride, but since we are going to be here the whole summer, there was no way I could leave them behind and have someone watch them. I spoil them wayy to much and would worry like crazy!

They aren't doing too badly yet, but I know it is a matter of days, let alone hours, before that can change. Right now it is midly sneezing and a gurgle every once in a while. I called my vet back home to see if there was anyway he could just prescribe the meds needed, but he said he would need to see them first because of weight, which I agree with and understand. I did tell him I have a scale and could tell him, but he wanted to see them, which I can understand. Now, the nearest vet that can see them is over 5 hours away and my parents are on their hiking trip. I am here with my sister and grandma, but my parents have our car, since we don't need it because our vacation house in by a town that has everything we would need, (bedsides a vet that can help rats) within walking distance.

Now here is the tricky part. I am worried to wait until my parents come back because as I type this I hear lots of gurgles from the cage. Now, here is my question, and if I am very wrong, please don't yell, I am just trying to figure something out to help them. My sister was currently on doxy capsules... would I be able to use those to help my rats? Once again, I didn't not try to use them yet, nor would I, until I heard what you think and knew the weights and got the mixture. I would call my vet to ask, but they are closed. My sister used to work in a pharmacy and she filled a lot of pet prescribtions, but once again I'm not sure.

If you could please let me know what you think I'd be so greatful. I am very worried about them, and I really want them to get on something soon. Thanks!


Miriam

[hairless_love]

Wow...what terrible luck!  I really have no idea what to tell you about the meds...and even if they are safe for rats, they need to be on two different antibiotics for a URI.

But...until someone else can chime in with better advice on the meds, I wanted to give you some tips to help them breathe a little better until another option can be decided. You can give them a TINY piece of dark chocolate to help with the breathing. Children's Benadryl can also help. Another trick is to put them in the bathroom while the shower is running, or put a humidifier by the cage so they can breathe in the moist air. Be sure to watch if your rats are eating/drinking too.

[SleepingxBeauty5]

Thanks so much for the tips! I took them in the bathroom and ran the hot water for about twenty minutes and the gurgles have seemed to stop as of right now. They are still drinking and still eating, but they barely leave the hammock. It breaks my heart because normally when I open the door they run onto my hands but now they just like at me like 

[LivingPinCushion]

If you tell us where you are located we might know of a vet that treats rats that is closer to you. I drive two hours to mine but a five hour trip is pretty long expecially if you dont drive.

Otherwise everything hairless_love said is very helpful. I also give them some ensure to make sure they are getting a boost.

[SleepingxBeauty5]

I searched again and I found two other vets (I must have been looking at the wrong thing) One is in Rock Hill, SC, which is four hours away and the other is in Columbia, SC, which is about three hours away. I am at Hilton Head Island, SC. If there is any vets that are within an hour I might be able to do it before my parents come back. And since I am 13 there is no way I can drive! Thanks for all your help though! 

[JR1030]

There are a lot of vets on Hilton Head...how many have you called?  

Scroll down this page for a list:
http://articles.directorym.com/Veterinarian_Hilton_Head_Island_SC-r852330-Hilton_Head_Island_SC.html