Jade's positive thinking\good vibe's thread!

[*Rebel_Angel*]

A few day's ago I noticed Jade stumbled and fell in the water bowl, I went to check closer and she had a minor head tilt and probably huffing and puffing like she is now (I don't really remember)...I couldn't take her then to the vet but I took her yesterday for an exam..she was getting worse and worse, the stumbling stopped but she is still throwing her head around a bit.

At the vet's (We see Dr. Dunning at the Cumberland Vet. Clinic), the doc said that Jade had infact a head tilt and a bout. of mycoplasma but it was a bit too late for her...the head tilt is permanent (thank god she's not that tilty tho) and the huffing and puffing is mostly scar tissue from the myco. that's making it hard for her to get air, as Dr. Dunning was examining Jade she got extremely tired and was just lying in the doc's arms.
Dr. Dunning gave us some Baytril and lot's of answer's *lol*, her answer to what happens now is if the med's don't work we'll have to figure out more med's to help Jade...if she get's worse and too tired/..an other option would be to put her down.

I asked if Jade was in pain : She doesn't look in pain, again aslong as she look's happy and active she should be fine.
I asked about the holding her considering she can't breathe properly : She look's like she love's cuddle's and being held, if she wants to cuddle cuddle her but don't push her.
Is she getting enough air : same answer as the above, aslong as she look's happy and active she should be fine.

So long story short my young baby is dying! I still cant believe it
Her sister's know something's up, they are so helpful with the grooming ( I also told Kaina the alpha in my group to take care of Jade )

This morning's out time went fine she did take breaks from the running/walking around but she lasted the whole hour except the last 20 mins. where she went to chill in her cage. I could she her slowing down, but she was still walking and checking out some stuff.

One of my question's is, I know rat's are pretty resilient but when do I know she's had enough (will she come out for out time's still)?

I'll maybe post a vid. so you can see her if she's up for it!

Thankx and please keep Jade in ur thought's!

 

[hopefloats]

Is the head tilt the only problem with her? Does her ear smell at all? How old is she? Unless she has other major symptoms like lack of use of her paws or unable to grasp food then I dont know that I would dig a hole for her yet Older rats rest, that is what they do. When you are 80 would you still run amuck like you did in your teens? :laugh4:

I have a boy with head tilt, he is in no way shape or form dying from it. A steriod can help and it can take a longer bout of meds with inner ear infection.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

I think the video would explain more, she is honking, chirping, huffing and puffing...her chest is pumping a mile a minute. I really hate seeing her like this, she too sweet and too young to go.

She's maybe 7 to 8 months aprox.

 

[hopefloats]

That is not an age to die at. She should probably be on a combo if it is in fact that bad. A steroid would help with her tilt and her breathing.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Video!
Sorry for the longness of it, it's hard to capture just how bad she really is!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV5VJGgj ... e=youtu.be

 

[hopefloats]

She is breathing bad, yes. Dying no. IF your vet said that, get a new one. She could benefit from a combo or she will get worse.


Here is a dying rat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJo2Wt_6yzo

See how her eyes are dull and tired? how she is breathing rapidly. Dont want to move and this was quiet time between the gasping fits.

I am not seeing a real head tilt either. her ears stay in place with a head tilt the ear is pretty much stayed straight in the ear.

Is baytril all she has?

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

She didn't really say she was dying that was my term to make me understand it more, she said her breathing is bad, she does get tired and could get worse and instead of making her live like that, basically maybe she had no idea what to do with Jade.

She just has a really minor tilt, you can she it in person, but she does throw her head around sometime's!

And yes Baytril is all she has for now!

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

She also said that she won't get cured the damage is done, she'll just get cleared up and unstuffed her breathing that is! *lol*

 

[hopefloats]

if she is congested you can try try a steam in the shower. Only for a few minutes. If she gasp or gets worse then stop. If she coughs a bit and sneezes then let her just have a bit of a steam. if you do not see a difference in a few days request doxy as an add on. Baytril, is a good start though.

It must be slight because I cannot see even a glimmer or a tilt. I have one he has one ear at the ceiling and one at the floor. He is dumbo so that it works that way with a tilt LOL

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

I did do a steam yesterday morning, I dunno if it helped but she seemed to like it! I did it for 30 min's, how long should i do them and how often?

Ok I'll finish the Baytril on her first then call for a refill of Baytril and request doxy if I see no change's.

So to see if I understand she'll be on those med's for life right?
and I'd only call for refill's only when she gets bad again?

 

[hopefloats]

I dont think you can say she will be on that for life. she hasnt had time to heal. You never steam for 30 minutes she is a rat not a pot of veggies i only do it for 1 or 2 minutes. I only do it twice a day with mine when they are pretty ill. Maybe you could get a humidifier and put it in her room. That might be safer. Personally I would not wait till you finish the baytril. She needs a combo now with her breathing. Waiting can be to late.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

The steam I did with her was what mom does with us the kettle filled and boiling, so it wasn't her over heating I don't think she was even in the steam's way...but I think she is due for another ( she was all pouffy and hiding in a corner, my poor Jade) for the half hour out time tonight..tomorrow I'll only do a min. or two.

I couldn't start the med's last night so I started her on the Baytril tonight, there must be an easier way for her to get her meds...wich is made harder cause I don't want to overwhelm her with too much holding since she can't breathe.

Ya tonight's out time was short since I have chore's to do before bed, half hour out time... beside's an hour is too much for her..she spent it all pooffed up, did a running/walking lap around the basement then went under the desk to rest for the rest of the time.
After out time I made her a HT block mush, I`m worried she didn`t eat some of it yet...
And is she ok, as I said the other`s are all helpful with grooming her but I noticed they became a bit rough with her...

 

[Joanne]

I don't really see the head tilt either. If it's there, it's pretty slight.
She could also have pneumonia. She definitely needs antibiotics. Anytime you put a rat on antibiotics for a respiratory problem, they need to be on them long term. My minimum time would be six weeks, and that's if things clear up quickly. What will happen if the time is too short is that you will kill off all the weak bacteria and leave the strong, resistant bacteria. Then when they regrow, they will be resistant to the antibiotics. So you need to keep the rattie on antibiotics long enough to kill off the strong bugs too.
Good luck, I hope she bounces back.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

It's there, yea very slight thank god lol dont really want a real bad tilty rat lol, but u can also tell she got one the way she throws herself around...she walks fine and all but as soon as she's in ur arms she's like a rag doll..poor dear!
Thankx for all ur advice and everything!!

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

I'll maybe call tomorrow and ask for doxy if u guys say she need's the combo of Baytril and doxy right away.
Same concentration as the Baytril I presume?

 

[Joanne]

Here is a link to the Rat Guide.
It gives you information about doxycycline and the correct dosing amount.
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_ ... ycline.php

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

She was sleeping when I got home, I gave her a second dose of Baytril (did not call for the doxy yet, she look's a bit better but from what I gather doxy would help her breathe a bit right? I'd like to help her breathe!)

Im happy, she was moving a bit more tonight at out time...she was strong enough to challenge Kaina (Kaina and Jade are sworn enemies *lol*)..she even climbed stairs.
I was watching her tonight in aye, she's getting there!

O she's even eating now, small bite's with breaks in between but she's eating!

Go Jade mommy loves you soo much!!!!

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Couldn't update yesterday on Jade sorry but I'll give you and update today of how she was on Friday.
Well I took her out on our coffee table to see her better and noticed that she was gasping for air what really freaked me out (I'm waiting for a call back from the vet as we speak), and as I went to give her her med's (I serynge them into her directly cause at this point I'm scared if I put the med's in a treat she wont get the full effect) she fight's me everytime wich is difficult to see since she can't breathe so it's heart breaking and thats when she started to gasp (open mouth wide gasping)!

I'm terrified, I really can't deal with the pain of seeing her like this!

She being taken care of by her sister's (I have help there), so all there is now i guess is to keep her happy and comfortable!

P.S. - She seem's ok this morning, still looking horrible but ok!