Respiratory Infections in Pet Rats
Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
4 cited drugs treat Respiratory Infections in pet rats: Enrofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Tylosin.
Upper- and lower-respiratory bacterial, mycoplasmal, and fungal infection. Includes bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) in cattle, pneumonia in companion species, and air sacculitis in birds. Antimicrobial choice often requires species-specific evidence.
The overview above describes Respiratory Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to pet rats — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Enrofloxacin(Baytril)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Antimicrobial (broad-spectrum), respiratory infection | Strong | Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237.; Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.771 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350 |
Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–20 mg/kg | q8h | Mycoplasma pneumonia | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole(Bactrim, TMS)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 30 mg/kg | q12h | Strep pneumoniae / secondary cover | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1223 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.1223' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.1196; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.1196. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Tylosin(Tylan)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10 mg/kg | q24h x 5 days | Mycoplasma / respiratory infection | Moderate | Visser C, Wijnbergen A, Bleich A. Maeuse und ratten. In: Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P, eds. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.774 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.