Hugo's deteriorating

Argent · Jan 22, 2011

Hi all...since around Christmas time, Hugo's been starting to look more and more like an old man...he's nearly 2.5 years now and as well as the large squishy tumour on his hip, he has one under his right arm, has lost most of his body weight and the use of his back legs (his back twists so he can't scoot properly

), yet he refuses to give up!

I've been heating the dog carrier he's in, bathing him (apparently to help him toilet...), and feeding him soaked blocks with porridge, and Complan with baby rice and he chows down like a champ. Having acquired a bottle of Metacam for Rufus' broken arm, I thought I'd start Hugo on some too, just to ease his pain a little as he still wants to motor around, he just needs help (I just held his back legs and 'wheelbarrowed' him around the floor!)

He keeps biting me too...rather hard, which I'm not sure if it's confusion, or he's sore. Anyway, just wanted to ask, when is it enough? I get the feeling he's going to be too stubborn to give up on his own terms, but at what point do I make the call? He still eats with such enthusiasm and wants to explore, but his body is failing him completely :sad3:

lilspaz68 · Jan 22, 2011

See if the metacam takes away some of his discomfort, and if not and you think he's uncomfortable and its only going to get worse, then start making that decision in your heart :sad3:

jorats · Jan 22, 2011

Can you up his dose of metacam to see if that helps any?
For me... if the rat is still enjoying a few things in life like food, cuddles, exploring, then I wait till those things are no longer important to them or if you see obvious pain.

Argent · Jan 22, 2011

I don't know how much he weighs (scales are dead DX) but he doesn't weigh much anymore...just given him 0.5ml since Rufus is on the same and I think that's way underdosed....I think Rufie should be on 1.2ml? (he's 600g) ((edit: holy crap I hate these new syringes - I've been underdosing him! Giving him 0.05ml instead of 0.5!!!!! D8)

Anyway, I'm still keeping an eye on whether or not he's interested in his food ect, and he's still fighting on...I'm just not sure if him biting me is out of pain or confusion :?

I can't see him making it to the end of the week tbh...it's been a good couple of months coming, so I think I have accepted his time is soon (I kept checking on him in the middle of the night crying like, way before Christmas and he was nowhere near as bad as this)

jorats · Jan 24, 2011

Do we have the same metacam? I'm pretty sure half a ml is way too much??? I usually dose mine 0.05 and under depending on the severity and weight.

Argent · Jan 24, 2011

It's a purple and white box...my dog gets the same stuff. The prescription says 0.5ml once daily and it doesn't seem to have harmed him :/ Do you think the vet could have made a mistake?

Btw, I'm taking Hugo to the vets tomorrow...I think making him carry on any longer will just become cruel, he can't really move or do anything anymore

temblabamomo · Jan 24, 2011

I'm sorry you have such a tough call to make. It's tough when they're fighters. But you're Hugo's mom, and obviously know him best. If you feel it's his time, then it is. My heart goes out to both of you. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job of taking care of him and making him comfortable.

victoria · Jan 24, 2011

That's a high dose, but his arm is broken. A 600g rat here would get .2 ml usually. .5 ml for Hugo is likely too much regardless of his weight though. Do you have any idea how much he weighs?

lilspaz68 · Jan 24, 2011

Look at the box and see if it says .5 mg/ml or 1.5 mg/ml...

Argent · Jan 24, 2011

It's Rufus on 0.5ml, I gave Hugo 0.2ml since I don't know his exact weight anymore. It's 1.5mg/ml.

mamarat · Jan 24, 2011

:hugs: Such a hard decision but you'll know when it's time.

Argent · Jan 25, 2011

Ugh this is horrible...I called the vets this morning and they couldn't fit us in til 6pm! I'm having a very long last cuddle and on and off crying all day :sad3: