| SDA (Sialodacryoadenitis) This is a highly contagious virus that can lead to deadly secondary infections. SDA itself does not kill rats. It does, however, destroy the rat's natural immunities for up to a week and allow secondary infections, such as mycoplasma pulmonis, to devastate entire colonies. Incubation for SDA is normally 5 to 10 days. The two distinguishing symptoms of SDA are swollen lymph nodes, especially in the throat, and bulging and/or ulcerated eyes. If you do determine that your rats have SDA, you also need to know that after all of the symptoms have disappeared, they can shed the virus for up to 4 months. That means that a complete quarantine needs to be done for 4 months after the end of all symptoms. No new rats in and no rats leave, along with no litters born. Even though the survivors will act perfectly normal after they finish showing all symptoms, they WILL still be shedding the virus. A complete and thorough quarantine is necessary to contain the virus and stop it from spreading.
Recommended treatment: There is actually no treatment for SDA because it is a virus. However, it is very important that you aggressively treat the secondary infections. You should treat every rat for severe respiratory infections as soon as you know that your colony has been exposed to SDA to prevent as many deaths as possible. A good choice for treatment is a combination of Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and Doxycycline. Note: Baytril and Doxycycline are not recommended for rats under 4 months of age or for pregnant and nursing does. Dosages: Adults: • Baytril - 5mg/kg to 10mg/kg twice per day • Doxycycline - 2.5mg/kg to 5mg/kg twice per day Rats under 4 months of age: • Zithromax - 8.8mg/kg to 17.6mg/kg twice per day or • Tylosin (Tylan) - 10mg/kg twice per day (Do not treat in the drinking water) Pregnant and nursing does: • Zithromax - 8.8mg/kg to 17.6mg/kg twice per day or • Tylosin (Tylan) - 10mg/kg twice per day (Do not treat in the drinking water) More information on medications and dosages: The Layman's Medication Guide You will also want to treat bulging eyes with terramycin to help prevent the eyes from ulcerating. Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment To link to this page: http://www.raisinrats.com/medical/sda.html [back to top] |
