I have a gorgeous boy rat, who would be about 2 years one month old.. needless to say he is my whole world, and I would do anything for him..
Last year, he developed breathing problems, very loud "blocked" sounding breathing, and he began to do a clicking sounding, gasping breathing. I knew he wouldnt be able to hold out for his vets appointment, so we found an emergency vet clinic to take him to then and there. He had to stay there for a week in an oxygen box and was on two different anti-biotics. After the week, he was able to come home and was fine.. once his anti-biotics ran out, he started to get his breathing problems again, but they werent as bad- so the vets said to keep him on his anti-biotics (which are baytril and doxy).. lately, once more, his breathing has taken on the loud, blocked sounding breathing.. and the vet said that he probably has the "rat version" of tuberculosis.. and increased his meds.. but in increasing them, he's been put off his food.. I dont know what to.
We cut down his meds to their original dose, and he is eating again, but his breathing is still loud.. He has a review appointment at the vets next week.. are there any other meds I can request?
And anything I can do to make him comfortable in the mean time?
Cost isnt an issue.. I would pay anything for him to be happy and healthy..
And I know his age is considered old.. but I dont want to consider him taking the "forever sleep".......
I love him more than anything :(
Last year, he developed breathing problems, very loud "blocked" sounding breathing, and he began to do a clicking sounding, gasping breathing. I knew he wouldnt be able to hold out for his vets appointment, so we found an emergency vet clinic to take him to then and there. He had to stay there for a week in an oxygen box and was on two different anti-biotics. After the week, he was able to come home and was fine.. once his anti-biotics ran out, he started to get his breathing problems again, but they werent as bad- so the vets said to keep him on his anti-biotics (which are baytril and doxy).. lately, once more, his breathing has taken on the loud, blocked sounding breathing.. and the vet said that he probably has the "rat version" of tuberculosis.. and increased his meds.. but in increasing them, he's been put off his food.. I dont know what to.
We cut down his meds to their original dose, and he is eating again, but his breathing is still loud.. He has a review appointment at the vets next week.. are there any other meds I can request?
And anything I can do to make him comfortable in the mean time?
Cost isnt an issue.. I would pay anything for him to be happy and healthy..
And I know his age is considered old.. but I dont want to consider him taking the "forever sleep".......
I love him more than anything :(
That is so sad! I have no idea what to do but ask the vet. i really hope you dont have to put him down :( sniff sniff
I understand your upset.Ask a vet. If you need to put him down (God forbid) then at least he will go knowing some one loved him and continues to after death.Good luck.I'm so sorry. Don't give up. But if he starts to suffer let him go.Man know i'm crying I love animals.I'm soooooo sorry. :( I hope he survives
Rats tend toward respiratory problems. I would suspect pneumonia kills more rats than anything else. Two years is an elder rat. Combine the two, and I don't have much good news.
Keep him warm and out of drafts. Love him. Give him his favorite treats. Love him some more. I would suspect he doesn't have a lot of time left before crossing the rainbow bridge. I'm sorry. It it so hard to lose a loved one. Rats live such a short time. We have had rats off and on again the whole time my children were growing up (two have moved to their own homes and are maintaining rats there). My only complaint is their short life span. Enough time to really grow to love them - and then they are gone.
Keep him warm and out of drafts. Love him. Give him his favorite treats. Love him some more. I would suspect he doesn't have a lot of time left before crossing the rainbow bridge. I'm sorry. It it so hard to lose a loved one. Rats live such a short time. We have had rats off and on again the whole time my children were growing up (two have moved to their own homes and are maintaining rats there). My only complaint is their short life span. Enough time to really grow to love them - and then they are gone.