How can I keep her comfortable?*she is gone :( *

[meghan]

My very first girl I ever had is on her last days :cry3: Over the past few days she has become extremely emaciated and will not eat or drink. I can't even feed her with a syringe, she just won't take it.

My vet has no more emergency appointments left today and Dr. Munn is away at a conference. I will NOT take her to the one vet in my city who "sees rats". By that they mean they'll take the best guess at what should be done. They do not know anything about them besides they generate addition income for their business.

I've added additional fleece to their cage and her sister is helping keep her warm. She has NO body fat and is so cold. Her breathing seems laboured aswell.

What else can I do to help keep her as comfortable as possible.

 

Poor baby
Have you tried baby food? or mashed up bananna's?
Keep her with her cage mate, taking her away will stress both of them out, and like you said her cage mate is helping keep her warm and is good company.
Just let her rest, as long as she is no pain let it take it's course.
Take her to the vet whenever your vet is available and discuss your options.
I wen't through the same thing with my first girly, it's heartbreaking.
don't worry and stay strong for her sake.

 

[meghan]

Thank you. I would never dream of removing her cage mate. They are sisters, not biologically, but they love each other.

I have tried every kind of food I can think of. She ate a tiny bit of my daughters green peas and brown rice puree last night, but not much at all.

What should I do if her breathing gets worse?

Sweetest thing ever......Dora (sick girl) is just laying in a big pile of fleece and Suki came out to get some food. Well the fleece came off Dora a bit so Suki took the time and pulled the fleece back over top of Dora. I will never stop being amazed at how smart and sweet these animals are. It just blows my mind.

 

[jorats]

When a rat of mine is sick, dying and stopped eating, I keep them comfortable by exactly what you did. I occasionally try to offer foods but I don't force feed. They know when it's time to go...
:hugs:

 

If she's not in pain let her be, but if you think her breathing is causeing her distress or pain, maybe your should humanly euthinize. That's what I had to do with my girly, she was breathing really heavly ..couldent get any air ..I took her to teh vet and we ruled out everything. But do what you feel is best, everything happens for a reason ...you will knwo when it's time. <3

 

[victoria]

It sounds like you're doing all you can.

If you need/want to go to the vet I used to live in Peterborough and I know that both Cavan Hills and Dr. Jenny Laing at Champlain Animal Hospital (as well as Dr.'s Fortune and Noble will see them in an emergency if she's not available) on Lakefield Hwy. treat rats. Dr. Laing was my first vet and while she didn't treat many rats at the practice she did a wonderful job on my spays and tumor removals and she does have a fair amount of experience from working at Trent. I don't know if one of those is your regular vet or one of the ones you don't trust but I really did like Dr. Laing (although I found out later that there were better antibiotic options for pneumonia) and if I ever go back I would go back to her again.

I'm really sorry your girl is sick :cry3:

 

[meghan]

Cavan Hills is my usual vet hospital, but they have no more appointments. I'm going to try calling back to see if they have had any cancellations.

Thanks for the other suggestions though.

I did end up taking her out of her cage, but only to snuggle with her :heart:

 

snuggling is good, spend as much time as you can with her, let her know that everything is okay and that she can do what she needs to do.

Poor lil doll <3

 

[lilspaz68]

She will tell you what she needs. If she doesn't want to be with you right now, she'll seem a bit agitated. Put her back in her cage then. If she settles down on you, that's where she wants to be. Sweet Dora. :heart:

 

[meghan]

I told her that last night. I was snuggling her and said that she can do what she needs to do. If she goes overnight, I will be ok with that, but if she makes it to the next day, we will keep trying. She knows I love her and I thanked her for the years of laughter, love and entertainment.

Shelagh, this girl has never been one to cuddle. Constantly on the go! But shes very content being on me right now. I assume its because of the warmth, but either way, it makes me happy knowing I can cuddle with her.

 

Sounds just liek me when my girly left, I told her it was okay with me, she could go if she needed to.

She's just precious <3

 

[trexgorawrrrrr]

just know that you're doing everything you can. i know how hard it is to watch one of your furkids pass away... she looks so precious in that picture. as jo said, they just kinda know when it's their time to go... and so do we :heart:

 

[Maple]

When your ratties stops eating its their way of saying they have had enough. Bless her soul sweet little Dora. :heart:

 

[meghan]

Anyone have any thoughts on her breathing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcGyXqe4XCQ

 

[lj]

:hugs: I feel your pain. I've got one on his last couple of days. :heart: She knows you love her.

 

Poor lil thing, she is breathing heavily, but she seems content

 

[henry's_mum]

OH sweetie!
I just got your PM from this morning now(hubby's been on the computer all day), i'm SO sorry hun....
I'm suprised they didn't fit you in at Cavan Hills, crap, I wish i'd have seen this now, i'd have called them for you and tried too....
You're doing all you can do love, and she's clearly comfy with you and her sister's love surrounding her hun.

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs:
I will be home for the night if you need me ok? and tomorrow too...

 

[mamarat]

:hugs:

 

How is your girl doing today?

 

[lilspaz68]

I am sorry Meghan, it is more than warmth, its the love and care she is soaking up as well right now.
That breathing is awful but not distressed at this point. Does she open mouth gasp or does she just seem like her clock is winding down?