Aww, Dominic. URI?

[DadRat]

Our oldest is making what I'm guessing are "monkey sounds." He had done this in the past but only when sleeping, thought perhaps he was vocalizing in a dream. He has started doing it frequently and sounds a little nasally congested today, looks like he doesn't feel right. Going to try and get him into the vet, but not sure if we can get him seen before Tuesday by our regular vet. Does this sound like a URI? Should we look to give him some children's benadryl and/or sudafed in the meantime? At what dose? He is right at 1.5 pounds.

Advice please? Off to make a call to the vet.

 

[Chevalrose]

Yeah, that sounds like a bad URI. He really needs antibiotics.

As far as things to do in the meantime...I don't know about the Benadryl if that will really help or not, many someone else can get you there. Otherwise you can steam-bath him (run the shower and let him breathe in the vapors).

 

[DadRat]

The shower REALLY freaks him out, would not be calming at all.

Vet appointment for this afternoon in about 3 hours. We did give him a tiny piece of chocolate, that has helped calm his breathing for the time being. The little guy is really worrying me, very sudden onset and sounds really bad.

 

[Chevalrose]

Yeah, then I wouldn't suggest that! Glad you got a vet appointment today. Hope all goes well!

 

[Rachael]

Good luck today. Showers often stress mine out too and generally haven't helped them at all.

 

[jorats]

Good luck!

 

[DadRat]

Well, after spending far too long* stuck in traffic, we have Baytril. Dom sounds like a little grunting monkey
Our vet likes to treat with Baytril and Doxy, but the clinic had no Doxy on hand, so I'm looking for a close pharmacy to have it called in to, will hopefully get it tomorrow or Monday.



*the normally 50 minute drive there took me 110 minutes there and 80 back. *Twitch.* Listening to Dom grunt/squeak/sneeze the entire time. *Twitch, twitch.* I. Hate. Traffic.

 

[jorats]

That's good that the little guy is getting his meds. I'm impressed your vet knows to use combos. :thumbup:
Lots of healing vibes for your little guy!

 

[DadRat]

He sounds so pitiful right now with the squeak/grunting

I turned my radio on just so it wouldn't be the only sound in the room. Work fast Baytril!

 

I hope he gets better soon

Baytril & Doxy work really well together, whenever my ratties get URI they always get treated with that combo.

My guys get freaked out by the shower as well, but I usually take 2 or 3 in there, that way they are not alone and not so freaked out. I find the shower thing works really well! Also use dark chocolate with coco, just little tiny bit.

 

[DadRat]

Dom now is getting .15 Baytril and .3 Doxy twice daily. Didn't realize that he'd be getting twice the amount of Doxy to Baytril, but the compounding pharmacy was nice enough to add strawberry flavoring, so he is happy with it.

3 doses of Baytril and 1 of Doxy and he is barely grunting now. Sneezes are still wet sounding and snuffing is raspy, but this is vastly improved over yesterday.

Also our vet gave us extra Baytril if the other boys start showing signs of a URI. She said we could do preventative medication or wait and see if any symptoms appear, which is what we are doing as Greg is already on Baytril post-neuter and Quilt seems healthy as a rat-sized ox.

 

Dom now is getting .15 Baytril and .3 Doxy twice daily. Didn't realize that he'd be getting twice the amount of Doxy to Baytril, but the compounding pharmacy was nice enough to add strawberry flavoring, so he is happy with it.

3 doses of Baytril and 1 of Doxy and he is barely grunting now. Sneezes are still wet sounding and snuffing is raspy, but this is vastly improved over yesterday.

Also our vet gave us extra Baytril if the other boys start showing signs of a URI. She said we could do preventative medication or wait and see if any symptoms appear, which is what we are doing as Greg is already on Baytril post-neuter and Quilt seems healthy as a rat-sized ox.

Yay!
Be keep a good watch on Quilt, as URI are contagious in rat's!
Good luck.

 

[MomRat]

Also use dark chocolate with coco, just little tiny bit.

I used baking bar. It's just sweet enough to be edible. =)

 

Also use dark chocolate with coco, just little tiny bit.

I used baking bar. It's just sweet enough to be edible. =)

Thats a good idea