Sendai This is a highly contagious virus that can lead to deadly secondary infections. It is believed that, unlike SDA, colonies infected with Sendai continue to be carries of the disease and are, therefore, always a threat to uninfected rats. However, this is not a certainty so a strict quarantine to try to eliminate the virus after an outbreak is a necessity. No new rats in and no rats leave, along with no litters born for 4 months after the end of all symptoms. A complete and thorough quarantine is necessary to try to contain the virus and stop it from spreading.    Sendai itself does not have any clear symptoms however, the presence of pneumonia symptoms and fatalities among a high percentage of your rats is a good sign that you may have Sendai. Sneezing, porphyrin discharge from nose and eyes, hunched posture, labored breathing, deaths. The only way to know for certain is by having an ELISA test done on one of your rats to test for the virus.   Recommended treatment: A combination of Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and Doxycycline or Azithromycin (Zithromax) 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 • Zithromax - 8.8mg/kg to 17.6mg/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 at: The Layman's Medication Guideline For Use In Rats To link to this page: http://www.raisinrats.com/medical/sendai.html [back to top]