Jack and Sawyer aging; Jack's breathing laboured

[Godmother]

My two sweet brothers, Jack & Sawyer, are about 31 months old. Although they didn't move as fast as they did before, they'd been pretty healthy. The occasional respiratory infections cleared up quickly with antibiotics. Jack was using his wheel until about a month ago, and he came through a recent lump removal with no problems.

But suddenly Sawyer's back legs have become very weak, and Jack's breathing is very rapid. Antibiotics so far have not helped, so the vet suggested a trial of heart meds. He's been on benazepril since Friday, but I don't think it's helping. Today, thinking his lungs might be damaged, I added a small dose of Pred to see if that would ease things. It may take a few days to show any effect. Any suggestions would be welcome. He'll be back to the vet as soon as I can get him in, because he has just been lying around with his head held down after any kind of effort. He didn't even eat much porridge this morning.

So I have a very heavy heart. Here is a recent photo of my sweeties:

 

[Dahlas]

:sad3: sweet boys...hope they both will be okay for a while longer.....

 

[Dazzle87]

Aww I'm sorry. ACE inhibitors like benazipril can take up to three days to work though, so I'd give it a little more time.

 

[jorats]

Sending lots of healing vibes!

 

[mamarat]

Good thoughts for your sweeties.

 

[SQ]

Hope Jack is soon feeling better

 

[Godmother]

I wasn't sure how long it would take to see if the benazepril was working. He didn't seem to be helped by Lasix, so I stopped it when he refused to take it. He is taking the other meds, and he seemed a little better this evening. He grooms himself, and he went crazy for a little chicken bone... so there is life in him yet! He also wanted to come to see me and get patted. He is now back in his big ball, and he welcomed a piece of watermelon. Fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Jems71]

:sad3: Oh my Boys! I have not heard of them in so long it seems.
Sending healing wishes and love to both boys.
Give them a cuddle for me.

 

[lilspaz68]

Sawyer's the gentleman on the right? What lovely boys. Give the heart meds a bit longer to work, and we'll keep our fingers crossed that it or the pred help him feel a bit better for awhile. :heart:

 

[Godmother]

SQ took the boys to the vet for me today while I was at work. I think that the benazepril is helping, but now Sawyer's lungs sound worse to the vet (I can't hear anything, but it is clear from his stethoscope). So both boys will be on Lasix, benazepril, and antibiotics. We will switch from Doxy to Zithro.

Today on their return from the vet they were looking livelier than they were on the weekend, but Jack still has more trouble eating mushy food or liquid.

Jems71, I will give them lots of extra pats & kisses from you. They still love to get their loving!

 

[NinjaRatMama]

How are Jack & Sawyer doing now?
My son & I were lucky enough to meet them on Monday for the vet visit. They're very sweet boys! Poor Sawyer was having an aweful time getting around the bin but Jack was actually very curious to say Hi! :thumbup:
And they are some good sized manrats! lol
I hope the meds are working & they're feeling alright!

 

[eagle]

Sending healing vibes and wishes that the meds will help. :hugs:

 

[Godmother]

I have a better update today. On Friday Jack was in terrible shape -- wouldn't eat, wouldn't take meds, got dehydrated. SQ brought him back from the brink by slowly syringing his meds in (despite his initial squeak of protest). That gave him enough of a boost so that he would eat a bit.

I am so glad it's the weekend, where I can stop in frequently to feed him liquid-y food from my fingers. He has been eating watermelon, baby cereal mixed with lab blocks, baby food peas, and a bit of egg. When he ate the egg, I knew he must be feeling a little better. This evening his breathing seems less laboured than it did yesterday. I was scared that he might not make it much longer, the way his lungs were heaving.

He has been taking all of his meds. He backs off if I present the syringe, but he will take it all from my fingers. My sweet baby --- I have been giving him lots of scritches and kisses from you all. :heart:

Sawyer is doing pretty well. He really can't walk very well, but his breathing is much improved.

 

[Jems71]

Makes my day to hear they are doing better. hoping it continues to improve and you get to enjoy them a while longer.
They are sweet big boys I loved having them with me for their short visit.
:heart: sending lots of love their way.

 

[Dahlas]

Sweet sweet boys.....give him some cuddles from me...he is so lucky to have a momma that loves him so much...

 

[SQ]

I took Jack and Sawyer to the vet (Dr Scott Stewart) today for godmother.
Jack has improved a bit since he was started on benezapril to test dose for a heart condition.
Godmother said that Sawyer has also improved.
Both boys were xrayed today.
Jack's breathing is horrible, his lungs are in great shape but he has a very enlarged heart.
Sawyer's lungs looked good too and his heart looks slightly enlarged.
Both boys are now on atenolol and digoxin, in addition to the benezapril and lasix they were already taking.
Hopefully they will both soon be feeling much better and enjoying life again.

:thumbup:

 

[Godmother]

Both boys took their new set of heart meds tonight, so here's hoping. Jack has definitely come a long way in the last few days.

 

[mamarat]

Sending good thoughts for the boys.

 

[Ratticus]

I'm glad to hear they're doing better. I wonder if all this heat and humidity doesn't aggravate breathing too; it makes it that much harder to breathe for anyone, but especially anyone with heart and/or respiratory problems.

I hope they continue to improve for a long time to come.

 

[Godmother]

Sawyer is doing very well, but Jack is in terrible shape. This morning he was making a clicking sound while heaving for breath. I managed to ease his breathing with a ventolin puffer, but he is really struggling. Every time he exerts himself or eats a little, he pays for it by gasping. I can't bear to watch him go through this any more, so I have put in a call to the on-call vet. They are evidently very busy, so it will be a bit of a wait. I am so glad that the ventolin helped enough to get him by for a little while.