Getting sicker on Baytril?

by sweetlings Sat 25 Feb 2017, 5:37 pm

My little mouse Margot was diagnosed with a URI at the vet two days ago, and given a dose of baytril with 10 days more dosage for me to administer at home. Yesterday was the first day I had to medicate her myself, and she hated it, but did fine, and was up and about in the cage last night. I got up this morning to give her a morning dose and she seems to have taken a turn. She was very unresponsive and sluggish, though her breathing DOES sound a bit better? I kept an eye on her and within the hour she's taken a treat from my hand, explored the cage some, and climbed the levels to go back to her favourite nest (all her necessities are on ground floor just in case though) - So not completely weak and unresponsive, but a bit sluggish. Should I be concerned? This is only her second day on baytril, but I can't help wondering if she's getting worse or better?

Worth noting, is that Margot is 7 weeks old and only weighs 13g. Her sisters weigh around 35g... She's TINY. She eats fine, drinks fine, but has always been less active and more sleepy than her sisters. She seems to just be the runt, but is she too small to handle the medication? The vet prescribed 1ml Baytril a day and that seems like a lot for little Margot.

Any advice at all would be much appreciated!

by scaredymouse Sat 25 Feb 2017, 10:53 pm

That seems like an appropriate dose. I give 2ml too a mouse twice her size. It takes a couple days for the meds to work. If her breathing is good and she's eating/drinking, I wouldn't worry just yet. Is also possible that she is having normal side effects from the medication. She could just feel a little extra crummy. It's also possible that sure to being sick, she hasn't been sleeping well... But last night actually felt better and got some really good sleep and just didn't want to get up. I mention these too illustrate that it might not be a bad thing.

But you are doing everything you can for her. Baytril is the right med for the job. That's a good, safe dose. If her breathing gets worse or she loses interest in food/water, that would be cause for concern but I wouldn't worry about fatigue. Just like people, she should be getting her rest right now.

by sweetlings Sun 26 Feb 2017, 12:20 am

Thanks Scaredymouse, that makes me feel a lot better! I was definitely thinking she might just be feeling off from the meds, so maybe thats it. Am definitely leaving her to sleep as much as possible, so hopefully will see some improvement.

One thing - My girls are still working out their pecking order and one in particular (McNeil) sometimes picks on Margot. I caught her starting to chase little Margot today and I would usually let them sort it out, but in an effort to give Margot more rest, I set up a time out cage for McNeil to be separated into for an hour if she keeps badgering Margot while she's poorly (with necessary space, food, water, toys etc). Is this the right thing to do? I hate to seperate the group :/

by scaredymouse Sun 26 Feb 2017, 1:06 am

What size is this time out cage? If you really thing the other mouse is really interfering with her ability to rest and you see her being rough, it's okay to have a time out. But an hour wont really do too much. If it's a decent size cage, you could just separate her for a couple days. That may teach her not to be so rough and would give Margot a chance to rest. As long as Margot has another friend in there, that would be fine. Just give the time out mouse lots of attention.

Taking her out for an hour here and there is more confusing for mice. By separating for a couple of days, it allows the other two mice a chance to bond and unite against the bully. It has the potential to change the dynamic.

by sweetlings Sun 26 Feb 2017, 1:20 am

Interesting - I was afraid that I would stress the group too much by separating. Even with loads of attention from me, McNeil got VERY agitated being away from her group for even half an hour when I set the cage up today. But I hadn't considered that it might change the group dynamic in favour of the other two. The cage is big enough to permanently house a single mouse (apparently two, according to the cage cage calculator), so it might be worth a try!

If I do need to seperate McNeil from the group for a day or two, should I be keeping her in a seperate room from the other two? Would smelling her cagemates make her more or less agitated?

I really appreciate all your advice on this - You've been a great help!

by scaredymouse Sun 26 Feb 2017, 1:43 am

she can be in the same room Smile

by Teramis Sun 26 Feb 2017, 3:45 pm

I've had good luck doing a one-day (overnight) time out for a bully. They're usually pretty contrite when they go back with the group, just glad to have family around them again.

by sweetlings Sun 26 Feb 2017, 6:50 pm

Thanks guys! McNeil was pretty apologetic even after the original one hour separation, so if she gets anymore ideas about being bossy, it'll have to be a sleepover in the time out cage. Hopefully she's learned her lesson though!

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