Breathing issues, please help!

[Cloudlessskies]

We have 5 fancy rats, all brothers. We have had them for a year now, they are adored.

One of them, Steven, the smallest is not breathing properly. My daughter noticed he was a bit "off" a couple of weeks ago, but everytime I checked him he seemed OK, he is active, eating, pooping etc, but today she got him out and his breathing is laboured and noisy. I'm now terrified! We just tried to settle him in a make-shift box but he won't settle so will have to put him back in with his brothers soon. I will try to attach a video I took about half an hour ago. Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Cloudlessskies]

I can't seem to upload, it's too large

 

[lilspaz68]

Upload it to YouTube then link it here.

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Will try that now...

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Fingers crossed this works

 

[lilspaz68]

Ok that's serious. I call that constricted breathing where they can't get enough air into their lungs

Does anyone in your family have an inhaler??

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Yes we have inhalers

 

[lilspaz68]

Shake the inhaler, put him on your lap facing forward, make a funnel with your hand covering his eyes and do 2 puffs into your hand funnel. You don't want to make him panic by putting him in a container or box when his breathing is like this. As you know this effect is only temporary. He needs antibiotics and steroids really.

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Thank you. We tried the inhaler last night, it was tricky not stressing him out further. He is going to see the vet in 4 5 minutes.

 

[mwp051699]

He is in dire condition. IMO, when they get to this point, where they are gasping for air, they don't respond well to antibiotics because you can not get them to eat or drink. If you can't get his breathing under control from the inhaler treatment, I would strongly consider euthanasia before he asphyxiates. A vet can give him an injection of a steroid and antibiotic and hydrate him, and then you can take him home and continue this treatment of subcutaneous injections to hydrate and treat his infection, but I'm many cases they have permanent lung damage as well. In any case, a vet appointment is definitely necessary immediately and either a risky at home treatment or euthanasia will be required. I'm sorry. I am not a vet, but have extensive experience with rats, and this video is something that you rarely are successful treating. It IS possible, but if it is a result of long term infection without treatment, then he is not likely to recover. My best to him and you.

 

[lilspaz68]

How was the vet appointment? Did he make it?

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Thank you for asking. The vet says he has pneumonia

He has been given 3 lots of medication, I believe one is antibiotics, steroids, and something to liquidise the gunk.

He's still struggling, but he licked some yogurt and peanut butter.

 

[lilspaz68]

I'm glad he has a chance. Pick up some baby cereal (flavored if possible to encourage him to eat) that he can lick up and breathe in between. He won't be able to eat solids right now. Be careful with the peanut butter...a choking episode could kill him in this state. ((hugs))

 

[Cloudlessskies]

Thank you, the Peanut butter was literally a tiny bit from a finger tip.

Baby cereal, in a jar?

 

[lilspaz68]

Thank you, the Peanut butter was literally a tiny bit from a finger tip.

Baby cereal, in a jar?

Dry baby cereal, in a box or a package. You just add water. Its in the Baby section

 

[Cloudlessskies]

I know the stuff! I'll grab a box tomorrow. He's eaten a little tonight, had a really good drink (syringe) and 20 minutes on a nebuliser. He has also been cleaning himself.

 

[lilspaz68]

grooming as long as its not just trying to clear the nose to breathe is a good sign

 

[Poe and Friends]

He is in dire condition. IMO, when they get to this point, where they are gasping for air, they don't respond well to antibiotics because you can not get them to eat or drink. If you can't get his breathing under control from the inhaler treatment, I would strongly consider euthanasia before he asphyxiates. A vet can give him an injection of a steroid and antibiotic and hydrate him, and then you can take him home and continue this treatment of subcutaneous injections to hydrate and treat his infection, but I'm many cases they have permanent lung damage as well. In any case, a vet appointment is definitely necessary immediately and either a risky at-home treatment or euthanasia will be required. I'm sorry. I am not a vet, but have extensive experience with rats, and this video is something that you rarely are successful treating. It IS possible, but if it is a result of long term infection without treatment, then he is not likely to recover. My best to him and you.

they might still eat liquid foods.

 

[lilspaz68]

How is your lad doing now?

 

[mwp051699]

I hope and pray Steven is recovering. A helpful tips... When giving fluids to drink (to try and wean him off the syringe forced fluids), give him THICK fluids, like Ensure ( even that baby cereal thinned out) and use the smallest round bottom bowl that you can find. By round bottom I mean the shape of an inverted ball, so there's no "bottom and sides" type of shape to it. The rat will lick from the shallowest area, at the surface, next to where the the liquid and bowl meet, so to speak. That's how they control their intake and avoid drinking too much and choking on it. I know it sounds dumb, but you will see how much better he will be able to drink once you watch him. And I always give Ensure to my rats with nutritional issues or intake problems. My best to Steven, may he get well quickly.