How do you treat respiratory syndrome in rats? - briefly
Administer weight‑adjusted antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti‑inflammatory drugs while providing humidified oxygen and supportive care; monitor clinical signs and modify therapy as needed.
How do you treat respiratory syndrome in rats? - in detail
Treating respiratory distress in laboratory rodents requires rapid assessment, targeted therapy, and environmental management.
First, confirm the diagnosis by observing labored breathing, nasal discharge, and auscultation of abnormal lung sounds. Collect samples for microbiological analysis, such as nasal swabs or bronchoalveolar lavage, to identify bacterial, viral, or fungal agents.
Supportive measures include:
- Providing supplemental oxygen through a cage‑mounted flow‑through system or a sealed chamber delivering 30‑40 % oxygen.
- Maintaining ambient temperature at 22‑24 °C and relative humidity at 50‑60 % to reduce metabolic stress.
- Ensuring adequate hydration with subcutaneous sterile saline (10 ml/kg) or oral gel packs when water intake declines.
Pharmacologic interventions depend on the identified pathogen:
- Bacterial infections – administer a broad‑spectrum antibiotic (e.g., enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily) pending culture results; adjust to a pathogen‑specific drug once susceptibility is known.
- Viral etiologies – provide interferon‑inducing agents (e.g., poly‑I:C) or antiviral compounds such as ribavirin (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally) when indicated; supportive care remains primary.
- Fungal involvement – treat with amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or fluconazole (10 mg/kg orally) after confirming fungal growth.
Adjunctive therapies improve outcomes:
- Nebulize a sterile saline solution with 0.5 % hypertonic saline to loosen secretions, applied twice daily for 5‑10 minutes.
- Use a mucolytic agent (e.g., N‑acetylcysteine 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) to reduce mucus viscosity.
- Administer an anti‑inflammatory corticosteroid (dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously) only when excessive inflammation compromises airway patency.
Monitoring includes daily weight measurement, respiratory rate counting, and pulse oximetry when feasible. Record clinical scores to assess response; adjust treatment promptly if deterioration occurs.
If humane endpoints are reached—severe hypoxia, weight loss >20 %, or unresponsive distress—euthanize according to institutional animal care guidelines using an approved method (e.g., CO₂ asphyxiation followed by cervical dislocation).
Implement strict biosecurity: isolate affected cages, disinfect surfaces with a 10 % bleach solution, and replace bedding daily. Prevent recurrence by screening incoming colonies, providing HEPA‑filtered airflow, and minimizing stressors such as overcrowding.