30gram weight loss literally overnight & pneumonia?!

[TheRatQueen]

Is this even possible?

Is it possible for a rat with no respitory symptoms to develop pneumonia overnight??

His cage mate Paulie, has cancer and a huge fluid filled tumor, when we came home from the vet and put him in the cage Mortimer has been acting funny. We weighed Mortimer and since yesterday morning he has lost 30 grams and is having a terrible time breathing. I don't understand what's going on. He had no symptoms at all. Hopefully the vet can get us in tomorrow.

 

[Joanne]

Life-threatening things like pneumonia can and do crop up overnight. It is very important to start therapy as soon as possible so they have the best chance for survival. He may have been sick for a while - rats are very good at hiding illness. Good luck!

 

[TheRatQueen]

He had 2 surgeries a month apart (last month) and he lost weight and hasnt gained it back. He was fine until last night. We noticed him acting weird and threw him on meds that we have here but I still want the vet to look at him. It's never happened this fast usually I notice their acting weird a few days before

Thanks.

 

[Dazzle87]

I've had pneumonia show up overnight, it is very sudden sometimes. I'm sorry. Let us know how it goes at the vets.

 

[hopefloats]

I had no idea what was happening to my two pews. I noticed staining on their fur. Put them on meds. The next day, neither could breath. They didnt even sneeze. I think if the lungs fill up slowly, then it sneaks up on you. Then you see when they are totally struggling. Steam him it helps. I hope for a fast recovery for your sake, I hate dealing with pneumonia.

 

[TheRatQueen]

We have been feeding him baby food to fatten him up and he gained 10 since Monday and lost 30 since yesterday

We do have a humidifier shod I turn that on in the center of the room to put some moisture in the air?

Ive never done the steam. Should I just turn the shower on high and sit on the toilet? Haha

 

[Joanne]

Moist air is good. You know if you have a chest cold, moist air and keeping hydrated (drink lots of fluids!) keeps the mucus loose so it can come out more easily.

 

[hopefloats]

We have been feeding him baby food to fatten him up and he gained 10 since Monday and lost 30 since yesterday

We do have a humidifier shod I turn that on in the center of the room to put some moisture in the air?

Ive never done the steam. Should I just turn the shower on high and sit on the toilet? Haha

I dont do the bathroom for me it takes to long to fill the room up with steam. I always boil water. I have instructions on there for the steaming and getting through pneumonia..it is a hard fight. I hate it

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=27365&hilit=rat+gets+sick

 

[SQ]

If it came on sudenly, it may be a secondary infection.
You may want to ask the vet about giving baytril + clavamox to him
Clavamox is good for secondary infections
He may also need lasix to get fluid out of his lungs

You need to get him to a vet and on meds asap

 

[TheRatQueen]

He was awesome this morning. Breathing really heavy but the "gasping" stopped completely. I left the humidifier on all night. We're giving him vibermicin ( not sure if that's the right spelling) and baytril. He even ate 8 mL of baby food this morning and block. So let's hope this is a good sign.

 

[Aida]

Ooooh, I hope he gets better quickly! Good thing he's feeling better. :sad3:

 

[Dazzle87]

Vibramycin is a brand name of doxycycline for those reading that aren't familiar with it.

So glad he's doing better!