Help with diagnosing Griffy

[LadyGray]

Oh, she's not on any right now. Would they have used that before or after a tumour removal?

 

[mamarat]

Only if you had been given a prescription by the vet.

 

[jorats]

I'd bring her in and ask that it is a recheck from surgery. I'd also ask for Baytril, just in case she's got some sort of infection going on.

 

[LadyGray]

She keeps having these seizures, she looks awful for about a day, then she's absolutely fine the next. Seriously, she's invinci-rat. We thought she was actually dead the other day, we were saying our farewells....the next day she was running about like a madRat. There's no sign of infection, either, she just gets them, then recovers, like a human. I'm guessing we won't have her for much longer though :-( but it's good to see how strong she is, she waits them out so patiently, and then when she recovers, she makes up for the time lost by running around like crazy.

Do Rats often get seizures like this??

 

[LadyGray]

Just to update; they're getting more recent too, she's clearly had one today and has a LOT of poryphrin around her eyes and can't walk well - she fell down the ladder but doesn't seemed to have injured herself. It's so difficult because she always looks SO bad when it happens but then is fine the next day, I just want to end her misery when it happens, but have to keep in mind that she recovers. Right now she looks awful again, who knows, she might go now, but if past experience is anything to go by...argh, so confusing!!

 

[mamarat]

Your poor little girl. It must be so hard on you too. :hugs:

 

[LadyGray]

I'm sorry to be such a pain, but i'd really like to know what you'd all do in this situation. I guess my ultmate question is when would you think the pain of these seizures were weighing out the happy times for Griff? When she had one seizure a week it was ok, she'd wait them out for a day, and then enjoy the other 6 days of the week, as normal. I think they're getting more frequent, and she really is a mess when they come up. I know it's up to me to decide what's best for her, but woud like to know what you'd do, or when you think it's time to let go. I'm going to talk to the vet about it tomorrow, but i'm not getting my hopes up. I guess i'm ultimately asking how you all judge when it's time to let your Ratty go

 

[mamarat]

I know it's a hard decision. But when they look so tired and the light goes out of their eyes I usually let them go. I'm so sorry. But only you and your vet can make that decision. Huge hugs.

 

[Cigar]

Having a seizure is comparable to running a marathon because the muscles tense and spasm so hard. It'd be normal for her to be absolutely exhausted and drained.. My Italian Greyhound inherited them thanks to a BYB - when she starts to come out of it we rub a little honey on her gums to give her body some natural sugars. You could always offer some fruit. There are alot of anti-convulsant marketed for humans but I don't know what would be safe for a rattie. My uncle's late dog had to take Phenobarbital to control his but they were much, much milder.

 

[LadyGray]

Thanks Mamarat, you've been so kind. It's impossible with Griff, honestly, the difference a day makes with her! she goes from looking like death to the most hyperactive, bubbly Rat ever. I guess it will be time if the seizures get that little more frequent.

What an Invinci-Rat, though! the amount she's been through, she'll probably end up leaving us in a really obscure parachuting incident or something, lol

 

[LadyGray]

Having a seizure is comparable to running a marathon because the muscles tense and spasm so hard. It'd be normal for her to be absolutely exhausted and drained.. My Italian Greyhound inherited them thanks to a BYB - when she starts to come out of it we rub a little honey on her gums to give her body some natural sugars. You could always offer some fruit. There are alot of anti-convulsant marketed for humans but I don't know what would be safe for a rattie. My uncle's late dog had to take Phenobarbital to control his but they were much, much milder.

Thanks - well it's definately worth a shot. That's explains a lot as well, i'm glad to hear a lot of it is just tiredness, and not her being in pain. Will definately offer her some fruit as well!

 

[LadyGray]

very shocked and confused, Lady just bit Griff and started dragging her away quite violently, and then went for me, not viciously, but a warning chew almost. she's never been very friendly, but she's never been like this before.
Any idea why?

We were thinking she was trying to protect her maybe? I mean, if they were in the wild she might have been saying to Griff 'move into shelter' because a huge hawk could come and get her...

But, anyway, they've HAD to be seperated, Griff is so unwell from a seizure, and Lady's there nipping her. if Griff's not better over the next 2 days, I think it's time to let her go :-(

 

[Cigar]

Here's a topic about hormonal dragging that came to mind: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=19981&p=274855&hilit=dragging+pulling#p274855

I would've separated them too, for Griff's peace of mind. There's no need to leave her where she could potentially be stressed into another seizure.. Poor baby.

 

[LadyGray]

Here's a topic about hormonal dragging that came to mind: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=19981&p=274855&hilit=dragging+pulling#p274855

I would've separated them too, for Griff's peace of mind. There's no need to leave her where she could potentially be stressed into another seizure.. Poor baby.

Thanks again Cigar! wow, poor girls, they've been through so much. And this means Lady's going to be a pain to do intros with when Griff goes. Is it acceptable to keep a lone Rat in this case? she's definately been viciously dragging Griff, and has done so before.

 

[Cigar]

She's not aggressive so I don't think it's fair for her to be alone. I wonder if she'd take to a big, neutered boy?

 

[Cigar]

If she's not drawing blood I wouldn't rule her as aggressive. Kind of like during intros - no blood, no foul. That's just my personal opinion. though. Lady's definitely got to be evaluated as an individual. It's possible that she's sensing alot of weakness from Griff and trying to manage her/protect her.

Where's Cardiff located? I bet someone can help train a rattie to you. I'm sure a rescue would be willing to foster a pal for Lady out to you and when she passes, you could return the "borrowed" girl. If that doesn't feel right I don't see how anyone could hold adopting Lady out against you.. Alot of people get stuck in that situation where they're down to the last rat and they don't want to bring anymore into their life immediately, but most of them are alot older by that time. Lady still sounds young.

 

[LadyGray]

Thanks, sorry, I deleted my message because I feel bad about this whole thing.
But it's nice to hear your advice Cigar, and that other people have been in the same situation as me of course I only want what's best for the crazy Rat that is my Lady!

 

[Joanne]

So sorry to hear about your girl. I know this sounds terrible, but maybe she has a brain tumor, and that's where the seizures are coming from. It's such a tough decision to make to let one of your babies go. Only you and your vet can make that decision. She will tell you when it's time.
As far as company for the remaining rattie, I had the same situation when my first rattie died and her sister was left. I didn't know much about myco at that time, and was worried that the problems would be passed on to any new rats, so didn't get her company. She was very lonely without her sister. She only lived a couple of more months, so it wasn't too long, but I still feel bad about it.
Good luck - we feel for you.