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Re: Problem...
Yes, I would definitely put them down because they will most likely not thrive after this. Even with aggressive antibiotic treatments, most rats affected will not make it. Their lungs are crap anyway, and when they get scarring from pneumonia, and other diseases, any small infection can just send them over the edge.
Afterwards, I would bleach everything and put a small 30-day quarantine on the basement, just in case.
I usually keep a small bottle of Parv-O-Way or chlorhexidine in my bathroom, just so I can spray my shoes if I've been somewhere "questionable". Very mild bleach water works fine too(shouldn't harm your clothes).
I'm very sorry about all of your ratties... :(
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Re: Problem...
Both SDA and Sendai are untreatable (and on there own most rats recover from it) the issue is that these 2 depress the immune system so badly that other bugs can a foot hold and can ravage the rats system very quickly. Since it is colony wide my guess would be Myco. More than likely SDA or Sendai got into the colony and allowed the Myco bacteria to get a foot hold.
Again this is just a guess based on what you have described. Only a vet can do the culture and the xrays necessary to prove it.
The only hope is to get the all on a broad spectrum antibiotic (and quickly) to help combat the illiness and the only way for them to survive is to bulk up there immune system before the deseases take over.
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Re: Problem...
All rats carry mycoplasmosis. It is in times of stress(such as breeding) and other factors that allow the myco bacteria to reduce the immune systems function and allow other illnesses to invade(such as the Sendai, SDA and pneumonia). Myco is a normal part of a rat's immune system.
Since SDA and Sendai are viruses, antibiotics will only help prevent secondary infection(pneumonia) from happening. It won't get rid of the actual virus and it will have to run its course. This means your rats will still carry it and they will have only built up an immunity to that specific strain of virus(other strains can still make them sick).
When keeping a colony of SDA or Sendai infected animals, you run the risk of passing it along to other animals(such as the entire colony of rats/mice at your work). For me, it wouldn't be a question of keeping them or not. They would get euthanized and my house would be quarantined(nothing in and nothing out for a solid 2 months or more, but they do recommend 6 months).
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Re: Problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by SatanicIntention
All rats carry mycoplasmosis. It is in times of stress(such as breeding) and other factors that allow the myco bacteria to reduce the immune systems function and allow other illnesses to invade(such as the Sendai, SDA and pneumonia). Myco is a normal part of a rat's immune system.
Since SDA and Sendai are viruses, antibiotics will only help prevent secondary infection(pneumonia) from happening. It won't get rid of the actual virus and it will have to run its course. This means your rats will still carry it and they will have only built up an immunity to that specific strain of virus(other strains can still make them sick).
Agree but I think you have this backwards. SDA and Sendai would come first and the virus would then reduce the immune system function...which would allow the secondary Myco (or pneumonia) to get a foot hold and cause all the damage. Yes Myco is carried in most rats but in check as long as their immune systems are working.
My recommendation on antibiotics is to stop the secondary infection...so that the immune system could then deal with the SDA or Sendai.
But either way it doesn't matter...if you are willing to euthanize your entire colony (only a little over half are showing symptoms) then that is pry the easier and best option long term.
I have always just tried to save them first.
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Re: Problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by SatanicIntention
When keeping a colony of SDA or Sendai infected animals, you run the risk of passing it along to other animals(such as the entire colony of rats/mice at your work).
What about humans and snakes???
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Re: Problem...
Allison..also your ASF should be OK. It has been found that they seem to have a much hardier immune system (probably due to the lack of long term inbreeding...but this is just a guess)
They also seem to have much stronger respirtory systems.
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Re: Problem...
Allison, I'm so sorry to read of this with your rat colony. I wish I had any advice regarding their health specifically but I don't, having no real time experience with this issue. I do however have a few suggestions as far as animal disease transmission from my turkey hatchery days. I would suggest you implement daily procedures for yourself which would include a full change of clothing from what you wear at work to what you wear at home. Also a shower after work. I would encourage you to consider a shoe dip and also keep your work shoes in an outside the home area (or stored in a container in your trunk). This may seem excessive but I know this is what we were encouraged to do after a day of being exposed to turkey droppings, eggs, and various other bodily fluids from the birds. It's important to protect your collection of snakes and rats as well as those that you work with.
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Re: Problem...
No, Myco doesn't cause the actual infection, it just reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection. Then, things like pneumonia can take over. The viruses SDA and Sendai also act like myco in that they reduce the immune system so other things can get in. Myco is carried in ALL rats, unless they were delivered by C-Section in a lab.
I doubt mycoplasma even has a role in this, as it is a bacteria that is easily controlled(Baytril/Doxycycline combos or tylosin) with proper husbandry. Yes, some rats may have worse immune systems, but for most, them having myco doesn't affect their health.
One last thing, if this was my colony that I was using to breed food for my snakes, I sure wouldn't want them carrying a virus that would prevent me from introducing new blood into the colony. You also don't want to create offspring with weak immune systems or "failure to thrive" babies. Antibiotics for 50+ rats, that would need to be given for 2-3 weeks to insure the virus wasn't still affecting them, would be very costly to say the least. The rats would also not be very healthy afterwards and would be prone to other bacterial infections.
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Re: Problem...
Quote:
Originally Posted by SatanicIntention
No, Myco doesn't cause the actual infection, it just reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection. Then, things like pneumonia can take over. The viruses SDA and Sendai also act like myco in that they reduce the immune system so other things can get in. Myco is carried in ALL rats, unless they were delivered by C-Section in a lab.
I doubt mycoplasma even has a role in this, as it is a bacteria that is easily controlled(Baytril/Doxycycline combos or tylosin) with proper husbandry. Yes, some rats may have worse immune systems, but for most, them having myco doesn't affect their health.
Then we will just agree to disagree.:rockon:
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Re: Problem...
Allison, I think facing a tough decision about possibly putting down a whole colony or spending the cash and time trying to save them when they may or may not be able to produce feeders for you is hard place to be in. Personally, I'd take all this valuable information you've been given here, consult your vet (perhaps even having one or two of the worst affected rats tested) and then make the final call based on your own research, your own decisions and your vet's best advice.
It's a tough call hon and I don't envy you this. Big hugs.
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