Emergency, boo is not eating or drinking.

[AlexandraBoo]

Boos, foot is very swelled, he is not eating, and i barely find him drinking.

I dont know what to do.

Please HELP

Im trying soo hard to keep him hydrated and eating a little, i bought him some baby cereal to syringe feed to him.

I know his foot is affecting his appetite. He can barely walk, and when he does he moves slowly an sluggish.

Also, he has it all curled up underneath him.

Any help will do, please I need advice on this, i dont know what to do!

 

[SQ]

He may have an infection.
Sounds like he is in horrible horrible pain.
He needs to see a vet asap. for possible antibiotics and metacam - which I believe will help both pain and swelling. Please get him to a vet today!!

Extreme swelling is not only unbearably painful but can also stop the flow of blood to the affected area, causing the tissue to die.

Pedalite from the drug store is good for hydration. Mine like the grape flavored best.
Also baby cereal made with soy milk, soy baby formula or water, mushy lab blocks, water melon, baby food ... Try hios favorite foods, but as long as he is feeling so horrible, he may not be interested in food.

 

[AlexandraBoo]

The exotic vet is away intell next monday!.. and no one will see him, i have called every office in town!

 

[mamarat]

Do you have any meds at home you could start him on? Put him in a one level cage so he doesn't move around too much. And keep him warm.

 

[SQ]

There are other meds you can give for pain but tryu to get some metacam first.
Clark may be able to help.

 

[starfoot]

I've given Jiggy Ibuprofen before... I crush a tablet and dip my finger in it, and give her just the few tiny powerdy bits that stick to my finger... maybe a quarter of a match head... I did this when she had a very swollen foot that stopped her walking completely, she wouldn't put it anywhere near the ground... and theat helped an awful lot.... I'd do it again, but you need to be careful that it's the tiniest amount.

Stay strong Boo xx

 

[AlexandraBoo]

thanks so much guys, especially SQ, For calling clark for me. He came right over last night and brought me some meds.

Also, My grandmother was trying to get me to give him the tinyest peice of a asperin, i told her i wouldnt give it to him!

But now that i know about the ibprofun.

His leg seems relativly better today, and he is eating and drinking.

Hobbling around Like a fool though, poor thing.

im glad my baby is okay!

 

[starfoot]

I know rats can have tiny doses of ibuprofen, but thats the only one I'm certain of... I'm not sure about paracetamol, or asprin... i know paracetamol can severely endanger cats... but I've no idea of rats.... I can vouch at least that ibuprofen is safe for rats in small doses = )

Edit: It really helped Jiggy's foot go down when it was really swollen, but I wouldn't use it as a constant treatment, as it's just deswelling, and masking the pain, therefore masking the problem, and although it helps, in the long run we need to treat the problem and not just keep helping the symptoms..... So yes, it definately eases pained swollen ratties feet, but rather than keep using it you need more long term solutions to prevent the pain and swelling happening again...

ooo that was a bit of a ramble!! And I wasn't just speaking to you alexandra, more for the benefit of everyone, and myself = )

How's Boo doing today? EDIT: just reread your last post... sorry for my sleepy headedness! I'm so happy that he's perked up a bit... beautiful boy xx

 

[lilspaz68]

If you are going to use OTC meds, you need to pick up Infant liquid Motrin, or Advil, and then I can help you figure out a proper dose for Boo.

Both have ibuprofen, and will help with discomfort and especially the swelling. Can you take a pic of his foot for us and we can see where he is?

 

[AlexandraBoo]

Thank you amy

Lilspaz, i tried to take a pic last night, It diddnt work, The swelling has gone down quite a bit since last night, he is hopping around normally, i am hoping it is just a sprain.

I am giving him a small dose of baitryl just incase its infected somewhere in there. Hopefully between that and some rest he will heal. He seems SOO much better today! im so glad!

 

[lilspaz68]

If you are giving him baytril he will need to be on it for at least a week to make sure you do not cause a resistance to the ab.

 

[AlexandraBoo]

whats is that? ....... :?

 

[lilspaz68]

YOu cannot give one or 2 doses of baytril and expect them to be better. Just like with kids you have to give them the entire course of it since it builds up in their system and fights the bacteria.

IF meds are used improperly, the bacteria/germs can build up a resistance meaning the next time you have to use baytril it may not work as well. Pain meds can be used for just a dose or 2, but antibiotics need to be used for at least 7 days in this case and if he was truly sick (URI or something else) then it would be a minimum of 2 weeks.

 

[AlexandraBoo]

he is giving me a whole bottle, so im sure i will be able to treat him for 3 or 4 weeks, that is what he told me it would last me.

I just give him a drop out of the dropper on the bread, one squeeze of the dropper.

 

[SQ]

You need to figure out his weight and give us info on the milligrams/ml of baytril. The amount given is based on weight.
It is dangerous to over or under medicate.

 

[Moon]

I'm glad Boo is feeling a bit better. Relief for you, I'm sure

 

[mamarat]

So happy he's feeling better.

 

[AlexandraBoo]

boo is probably around a half a pound.

Clark showed me how much to give him for his size, a little squeeze of the dropper, in a little baby pablum. He eats it all up.

 

[starfoot]

That's quite small for a boy isn't it?? I've no idea really at all... but my jiggy is 3 ounces off a pound and she's by no means fat, although she has got a little bit tubby in her old age... and I thought boys weighed more.

I'm so glad he's taking his meds though, and perking up by the day... give him my scritches. xxx

 

[lilspaz68]

Question for everyone else...

IF Boo is not actively sick (he probably stopped eating/drinking from the pain of the swelling) and Alexandra has no clue of the concentration of the baytril beyond "very concentrated/"he put a spoon full in a bottle"/very strong...BUT its probably not an accurate dose by any means. Should she continue or stop?