Godmother
Well-Known Member
I'm glad to hear that Flea is responding, because it's heartbreaking to watch a rat go downhill with PT.
I am going to start meds sooner next time, maybe having some Dex and Pred on hand for when symptoms develop in the evenings or weekends. Maybe if I'd done that i'd have had more time with my beloved Corrie.
Corrie had mild problems with coordination starting in August. She would sometimes fall when doing a simple short jump up or down, and she used to be extremely agile. In September she still looked otherwise OK, although she didn't seem quite herself (less active). She could still zoom to the top of the FN. The vet saw her three weeks ago and saw no problems, and her lungs were clear.
She suddenly had trouble holding and eating hard food eight days ago. By the time I got her some Pred, it was too late. The next night she was in severe respiratory distress and I had to have her pts.
I will have my vet do an autopsy (will report results on another thread), because there were some unusual symptoms and she never had the stiff front legs like poor Flea displays in the video.
Anyway, this discussion has been very useful for me. I have eleven ratties, five of whom are Corrie's daughters, so i want to catch any problems earlier next time.
Thanks to all of you for the info, thanks to dear Flea for her sad video.
I am going to start meds sooner next time, maybe having some Dex and Pred on hand for when symptoms develop in the evenings or weekends. Maybe if I'd done that i'd have had more time with my beloved Corrie.
Corrie had mild problems with coordination starting in August. She would sometimes fall when doing a simple short jump up or down, and she used to be extremely agile. In September she still looked otherwise OK, although she didn't seem quite herself (less active). She could still zoom to the top of the FN. The vet saw her three weeks ago and saw no problems, and her lungs were clear.
She suddenly had trouble holding and eating hard food eight days ago. By the time I got her some Pred, it was too late. The next night she was in severe respiratory distress and I had to have her pts.
I will have my vet do an autopsy (will report results on another thread), because there were some unusual symptoms and she never had the stiff front legs like poor Flea displays in the video.
Anyway, this discussion has been very useful for me. I have eleven ratties, five of whom are Corrie's daughters, so i want to catch any problems earlier next time.
Thanks to all of you for the info, thanks to dear Flea for her sad video.
I'm so pleased Flea is feeling better! 
