Respiratory Infections in Pet Rats
Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
3 cited drugs treat Respiratory Infections in pet rats: 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.
Oxytetracycline(Terramycin, Liquamycin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–20 mg/kg | q8h | Mycoplasma pneumonia (rats); Tyzzer's disease (mice) | Moderate | Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.773 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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). |
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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.774 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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.