Baytril and young rats

Bumble mentions some disturbing findings on 'Baytril' used on young rats.

What is Baytril?
Baytril is basically a very powerful antibiotic. Also known in the US as Cipro.

I've been doing allot of research lately into rat health issues, and have come across some alarming reports of Baytril (a quinoline) causing severe problems when used on rats under four months old.

To name but a few, the reports of damage include arthritis, numerous joint disorders such as abnormal carriage of the carpal joint, permanent lesions of the cartilage, and increased incidence of osteochondrosis/erosion of cartilage, which is caused by a magnesium deficiency induced by exposure to baytril during the formative months.

Warnings concerning the human equivalent of Baytril(ciprofloxacin):
"The safety of ciprofloxacin in children has not yet been established. Damage to juvenile weight-bearing joints and lameness were observed both in rat and dog studies but not in weaned piglets. Histopathological examination of the weight-bearing joints in immature dogs revealed permanent lesions of the cartilage. "

This is an animal pharmacology of Ciprofloxacin:
"Ciprofloxacin as well as other drugs of the quinolone class, has been shown to cause
arthropathies (arthrosis) in immature dogs and rats. In addition, these drugs are
associated with an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in rats as compared to the
incidence observed in vehicle-treated rats."


Here's a couple of links for further reading:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=162873

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=89784#B31

...it's a pity so many vets still seem to be unaware of these contradictions.
Knowledge is power.