Help Juno, Really worried!!

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ViT

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2010
Messages
8
Location
England
So we've had Juno for nearly two years, she's not had an easy life so far and now she's really sick :(

Our Rattie ownership started with Juno and Porsche (I wasn't allowed to have two boys called Bugatti and Veryon, so this was my comprimise!) But sadly Porsche died over Christmas for some unknown reason. Shortly after this, Juno started getting lonely so we adopted two little ones called Mia and Dax (From TV - Mia Pulp Fiction, Dax Star Trek) and all seemed well.

But in around March, Juno was taken to the VET to have a lump removed roughly the size of a grape from her groin area and was great until recently;

About two weeks ago, she vomitted - I mean actually vomitted which I'm well aware rats can't do, even the VET was astonished, but the emergency VET she went to wasn't exactly a rat genius and inject Batrill into her, which we later learned was a big no no. All of a sudden she went wobbly, wouldn't eat or anything and continually produced a bile like discharge from her mouth and wouldnt really move.

Since then, she's not really had an appetite but over the last week we've gradually had her eating baby food, and the other night she showed interest in softer foods. She's gettting really skinny and doesn't really show water much interest and does not move about much in the cage with Dax and Mia. She spends the majority of her time in the cage hanging over her hammock and more often than not does not know which way is the right way up (Falls over, no balance etc)

She's also still skinny.

IN recent days she's made a slight improvement and will wonder around outside the cage but eventually just finds somewhere comfortable to rest.

Really worried about her, I don't know whats up with her or how to mend her :( No "Vommitiing" since the original incident.
 
Hi, sorry to read your sweetie is having problems. It might be stomach related or gastrointestinal. I have seen rats "vomit" for lack of a better word, it's more letting out food they didn't actually swallow but it does look like they are vomiting.
You should add olive oil to her soft foods to put some meat on her bones. Is she on any kind of meds? The Baytril could be causing her stomach discomfort.
 
Thank you for the response, really appreciated. We are quite worried about her, I cna't tell if she's suffering at all.

Had her out tonight and the weight really has dropped off again, I thought we were making progress but theres hardly any of her left. :(

Managed to get her to eat and she's now drinking quite a bit. What's upsetting, is she's at least trying, runs about (falls over) and she certainly has her attitude back, we just can't understand why she won't eat in the cage, and shows food no interest for the most part
 
Is Juno on meds now? I would keep her in a one level cage if she falls over, try and keep her hydrated and warm. As for the food give mushy soft foods for now.
 
Juno was on meds, but that period of time is over. Vet originally thought it might be a respiratory problem, as I say he wasn't our normal vet and just an emergency one.

I thought this might be useful, guys, meet Juno!

[youtube:pd3ty7vg]3EoquifCS1s[/youtube:pd3ty7vg]
 
Try feeding her baby cereal mixed up with soy infant formula.
Lab blocks dissolved in cool water to make mush with added olive oil is also good.

If she isn't eating in the cage, take her out frequently to feed her and also put a plate of the soft food into her cage.

Have you checked her mouth and teeth to make sure her teeth aren't overgrown, that she doesn't have an abcess in her mouth, etc.

If she isn't improving, I would take her to see her regular, rat vet.
Does she seem to be in pain? Stretch out and suck in her sides, etc ?
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=18981
 
What a sweetie. She looks like she's got a good appetite. I'd continue with baby cereal with added olive oil. As well as something like Boost or Ensure, I can't remember what it's called in UK... but it's a meal replacement.
 
She's taken a turn for the worse tonight, this is quite horrible to watch but she's started throwing up again, think she might be leaving us :(

[youtube:p457zt48]pHNjUBcVmlI[/youtube:p457zt48]
 
Cigar said:
I'm so sorry.. is there any way to get to your vet? I think you're right that it might be her time..

We're going to try and get her to the vet tomorrow, she got really sick late this evening so there's no chance there, plus we both work :(

Shell sat with Juno on her lap for a hour and Juno has settled down, we're preparing our self though, it's quite hard as Juno is the first rat we've owned and means a lot to both of us. Right now, we've climbed into bed and set up the hospital cage next to us with old towles, T-shirts etc in it for her comfort with water and food - she looks really peaceful at the moment.

Will have to see what tomorrow morning brings, we'll take her to the vet in the evening as well, but I think her age and history with a tumour are against the poor sweet thing. Part of me wants her to just peacefully pass away now :(

I just wish I knew if she's in real pain or just discomfort. At least she's stopped vomitting since the video.
 
Here I am not even thinking about time zones.. duh at me. :emb:

Your sweet little lady is no doubt grateful to have both of her favorite people within sight and smell to comfort her no matter what happens.. :hugs: I'll say a little prayer for her comfort and happiness, as well as yours.
 
Cigar said:
Here I am not even thinking about time zones.. duh at me. :emb:

Your sweet little lady is no doubt grateful to have both of her favorite people within sight and smell to comfort her no matter what happens.. :hugs: I'll say a little prayer for her comfort and happiness, as well as yours.

Thank you, that means a lot! :hugs:

Well we woke up this morning to see her looking up at us as we started making the morning noise to get ready for work, we've had her out and stroked her / cuddle and she's had some naughty food and shown it interest. We've put her back in the hospital cage which is now sat on my bed for sent / height / comfort reasons. I got Dax out last night who came up to Juno, had a sniff and climbed over her :emb: :emb: but for now at least, Juno is peaceful.

Out of work early today to take her to the vet before the weekend, she was on the mend but last nights set back is worrying :(
 
Hi guys thanks for your advise and concerns. We took her to the vet on Friday, and he was the arrogant practitioner at the practice and didn't seem too bothered to be honest. He doesn't think it hurts rats to inject batryl (something we've read and what happened at the emergency vet) and he doesn't believe rats feel pain (Which we all know they do).

So, he was unable to say whether or not she was suffering, but prescribed her batryl again (Oral). Over the weekend she started to go down hill fairly quickly and we noticed she had mites too, which we treated and yesterday morning the poor little thing finally said good-bye and passed away in the morning.

It's been a pretty heart breaking few weeks with the ups and downs of her illness, but finally she's a peace now. We're not sure if the anti parasite lotion finally pushed her over what she could take, but we used the ones specified for small furries (suitable for hamsters and rats) At the end of the day, we thought if this stuff makes her last few days with us mite free, its worth it.

So rest in peace my little Juno, love you loads, and there will never be another one quite like you xxx

Photo0141.jpg


We'll always remember you xxx
 
I'm so sorry about Juno, it's wonderful that she had proper care and love in her time of need. I hope your heart feels better soon.
 

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