While I was at the vet this morning, I was talking to her about the
course she went to last week. This was given by Dr Tom Donnelly,
the rat expert from the NY small animal clinic that Jane says is
fabulous! Anyway, I asked my vet to enquire about Vibravenous
Tetracycline, a long-lasting antibiotic injection, and whether it was
available here in Australia. This stuff has brought rats from the brink
of death at the hands of severe Myco. I wanted to know that my vet
could have it on hand for my boys, just in case.

Sadly, it's not available here, but several bird owners mentioned to her
that something similar is: long-acting injectible doxycycline. Odd thing
is though, it's not approved legally yet so vets can't actually buy it. But
pet owners an obtain it through an online veterinary drug supplies store
(www.vetafarm.com.au) and bring it along to their vet for use. [I just
checked there and the link to the injectible is down for some reason...
I hope it is still available] It's apparently used for psittacosis (chlamydia)
in birds, and mentions it can be used in rodents too.

Robyn
Nimbus, Stat!, Bramble, Ramekin, Motley, RiffRaff & Bokeh
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
The Dapper Rat: http://www.dapper.com.au