Hunter's Gone :(

The vet just called, Hunter just woke up from surgery. He has bowel cancer
There's nothing that can be done, only to keep hime on pred.
He is not sure how long he has, I will be keeping an eye on him, and once he seems uncomfortable I will make that hard decision.

From today onward he will get what he wants!
Any sugegstions for nummie healthy treats that might help him feel better?

He has to stay at the vet's for a few hours until recovered, so heres to a fast recovery.

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry. Will he be on Metacam then?

 

I have not picked him up yet, so I am not sure what else he will be put on.
What would be best?
I know he is going to give him pred.

 

[victoria]

I am so sorry Ratty Momma, I know this is not the outcome you wanted. :hugs: Give him lots of love for us and tell him it's ok to let you know when he's ready.

I'm so sorry. Will he be on Metacam then?

Metacam and Prednisone cannot be given together. I'm not sure if Dex and Metacam can be combined if needed or if there is another pain killer that can be used. It's a good question for the vet in case he starts showing signs of pain again.

 

Thank you, I will keep that in mind when I go down to get him.

Should I continue to give him lab blocks? or should I give him easy digestiable food like the woody MC diet

 

[RatsForever]

Oh, I'm so very sorry. :sad3:

 

[lilspaz68]

I had a feeling

Anything he will eat. Start him on baby cereal and Ensure which goes through easily and they like. All my rats get it at the vet's clinic and the night they come home. Its easy to eat even for a groggy ratty.

He will definitely need painkillers...the pred is only supposed to try to shrink the tissues of the tumour inside of him, but because its a steroid (like dex) it cannot be used at the same time as metacam or any NSAID. He will need something like an opiate or tramadol, etc for the pain for the next few days and possibly later on, if he's uncomfortable. Make SURE you get pain meds. I would even say metacam before prednisone at this point.

 

I had a feeling

Anything he will eat. Start him on baby cereal and Ensure which goes through easily and they like. All my rats get it at the vet's clinic and the night they come home. Its easy to eat even for a groggy ratty.

He will definitely need painkillers...the pred is only supposed to try to shrink the tissues of the tumour inside of him, but because its a steroid (like dex) it cannot be used at the same time as metacam or any NSAID. He will need something like an opiate or tramadol, etc for the pain for the next few days and possibly later on, if he's uncomfortable. Make SURE you get pain meds. I would even say metacam before prednisone at this point.

I will def get him some pain meds.

So all I should feed tonight is baby cereal with Ensure?
Should I offer lab blocks?
After today/tonight should I continue baby cereal with ensure and should he get lab blocks?
Also right now everyone is in the double FN.
Should I keep Hunter in a smaller cage? with his brother Toby (he has always been kept in a cage with him)

 

[ChrisK]

so sorry to hear Hunter's diagnosis.

 

[lilspaz68]

IF Hunter seems up to it, put him back with all his friends, if not then put him in the smaller cage with Toby to let him recover for a day.

Offer him his regular food but I would also offer softer, easier to eat foods as well for awhile

 

IF Hunter seems up to it, put him back with all his friends, if not then put him in the smaller cage with Toby to let him recover for a day.

Offer him his regular food but I would also offer softer, easier to eat foods as well for awhile

Thanks for the help.

If he seems fine, I will let him be back with his mom, brothers and sisters. I fnot he can stay with his brother Toby for a day first.

 

Just got home with Hunter.
He seems very alert and active.
I just fed him some rice & bananna baby ceral with ensure.

The vet was still in surgeries when I picked him up so I was unable to get any pain meds right now, but they did give him metacam after surgery according to the vet bill.
So How long will I hold off on giving him Pred? since he has had the metacam?
Lucky I never gave him pred this morining, his last pred dose was at 8:30 pm last night.
I will be calling the vets office in a few hours for more pain meds.

 

So apprently metacam is not supposed to be given with steroids, hunters last dose of pred was 830 last night and the stupid vet gave him a metacam injection after surgery :emb:
He did not send him home with any pain meds either :wallbang:
He is still in surgery with other animals and I am unable to get in contact with him until after supper.

 

[mamarat]

I had an exploratory done on Lady and she had a tumor invading her colon. Vet did not operate. She was sent home with Metacam and lived a good 2 months. She was older girl and she passed at 28 months. Let's hope you have many more months with Hunter. hugs

 

Thanks Mamarat, he seems healthy and alert, as he has since saturday after the e-vet. I hope we still have a long Journy ahead.

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry Ratty Momma, but like mamarat writes, we just don't know how it affects our babies. Who knows, he might surprise us all.
(((hugs)))

 

RPOM?? Seconds? Thats just too sweet. Good luck to you and Hunter today, sending hugs.

 

[jorats]

aww...I totally missed that picture. I'll second it.

 

I feel bad that I put my lil man through surgey, and he got nothign out of it other than painful stitches, I hope he heals quickly and hopefully he will stick around for many months :heart:

 

[PitLuvs]

:sad3: Im so sorry. :hugs: