EMERGENCY rat with breathing problems

[windmill-831]

sweetpea my 13month old Dumbo has had really strange breathing since this morning. she sounds like she's got a really dry tacky mouth and is taking gasp's of air moth wide open.
i've fed her water and some baytril but im really worried. i cn see in her eyes she's not happy

 

[Godmother]

That sounds just like Bill yesterday morning. Take your ratty into a steamy bathroom for a few minutes. If you have another antibiotic to add (e.g. Doxycycline or Clavamox), that would be good.

You've been doing well to keep him well hydrated and to have started Baytril. Those are the most important. When I took Bill to the e-vet yesterday, she recommended antibiotics plus good hydration and a warm steamy room when his breathing gets really laboured.

Do you have a vet whom you can call for any other advice?

 

[SQ]

Sometimes the humidity of a steamy bathroom helps, other times it makes things worse.
The only way to find out is to try it.
Using a humidifier to add moisture to dry air in the winter may help as well.
A very tiny piece of dark chocolate can help to keep a rat's airway open in an emergency until you can get them to a vet.

Hope you get in to see a knowlegable vet tomorrow.

 

[mamarat]

Could she be choking on something?

 

[SQ]

If she is choking, you need to let her work it out as long as she is able to breath and not turning blue.

Signs of choking: gagging, drooling, opening mouth wide while pulling ears back.

If not better in 4 hours, consult your vet as it may be something else causing the problem.
(info from rat health care book)

Edit: Please see link for emergency first aid info: http://ratfanclub.org/firstaid.html

 

[windmill-831]

thanks guys! thats really helpful
the dark chocolate thing is amazing and a steamy room makes sense.
she seems to be ok now i've got her on baytril but my vet doesnt have any other anti biotics
she spent most of yesterday wrapped in a scarf round my mums neck (its her favourite place) dosed up on baytirl and getting lots of love and this morning she seems alot happier.
im still going to take her to the vet but i think it was just a bad case of blocked nose dry mouth bless her.
thank you so much though guys
x