Just another illness???

[nightmarevamp]

Hello all, my boy Thief has been sick all the time. It used to be a lump or something and cleared with meds, and a couple of surgeries. He's 2. They new thing is he rests on his own and isn't grabbing food with his front paws. He feverishly eats a cracker from my hand, he keeps his eyes closed doing it. I checked his paws, they all seem to be working , but he doesn't feel very strong.

I don't know I guess I'm here to vent, I just can't tell if he is dying or what? He's had so many meds that avenue has been done over and over. I see him eat food but doesn't pick it up. Sigh. If he passes I'm ready for it, just wish I knew why he's sick all the time.

 

[lilspaz68]

Jef offer her a cheerio and see if she reacts like this?

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8652&hilit=calla+cheerio

 

[nightmarevamp]

Similar. Today much like last night I need to hold out the piece of graham cracker and he eats it from betweeen my fingers, is eyes close most of the time he's doing this, and when the crumbs fall it's like he's trying to get them but more moves them around.

He places one paw, or sometimes two ONTO the cracker itself putting his weight on it. I just had gotten up because I heard a lot of noises of food pellets being moved around the bowl, I got up to see if it was him, and it was. He was eating but he's not picking anything up.

He hasen't fallen over to one side but does seem to follow smells as a way of moving around as opposed to his vision?

What could it be? Im worried he's not drinking but then again he must be. I placed a bowl of water in the bottom by the food so he has the option just in case. Any thoughts? Or something to try?


When he is on me or my shoulder it's not a firm hold. Hes steady, but by no means is he stable. I can move and he will slide off.

 

[lilspaz68]

You need to pick up soft foods, baby cereal and Ensure, so he can eat that on his own...its obvious hard food is beyond him. Wobblies could be illness, coudl be stroke, coudl be PT, could be inner ear infection.

Listen to his lungs, look for a weakness on one side of his body, look for forelegs stiffly out front and inability to grasp with front paw, watch for head tilt...those are the main symptoms of all those conditions. I will wait to see what you say.

 

[nightmarevamp]

He has been eating softfoods lot and I try and keep them in ample supply.

Here's his update for today. He feels pretty light to the touch I have no doubt he's lost a quite a bit of weight so far. He is weak, he is not holding himself up much and barely resists when being picked up. When he walks on his own he seems okay, but his front paws are spread out a bit more now when standing still.

I cant tell is he is dehydrated I pulled his skin and it snapped back, but not as quickly as before. Maybe about 2 seconds.

Not sure what else to do. :/ Is there anything I can do if it is PT?

 

[lilspaz68]

If its PT then you could try steroid therapy...but it doesn't always work. I take it he's a much older rat?

 

[nightmarevamp]

He's 2 I would say, and has had a bout of problems all the time. The latest was he had a infection under his throat that looked the size of a golf ball. It was lanced and drained and cleaned. I had him on the doxy for about 3 weeks, during that time he devloped a second lump by the same place, and the batryil seemed to take care of that.

It's been 2 or so weeks with him with no visible signs but now these ones are coming out of nowhere and fast.

 

[lilspaz68]

Rats don't normally get infections like that and it may have been a precursor to more serious underlying things. Unless his cagemates bit him causing abscesses? Poor old man. C

 

[nightmarevamp]

No his brother look after him, well they all do they rarely if ever fight, just playfully. I know he's on his way out, I'm just not sure if this is the sorta thing that A) Can be treated and he gets better B) He needs to be put to sleep or C) I let nature take it's course but would hate to think of him going painfully.

 

[lilspaz68]

No his brother look after him, well they all do they rarely if ever fight, just playfully. I know he's on his way out, I'm just not sure if this is the sorta thing that A) Can be treated and he gets better B) He needs to be put to sleep or C) I let nature take it's course but would hate to think of him going painfully.

You probably will need to have him pts if he starts to linger. Do you think he's uncomfortable?

 

[nightmarevamp]

I think he is comfortable, but he doesn't seem to be fighting at all. I'm keeping a eye on him, but the no liquids thing if that is happening cant be good so I dont want to but I might syringe some water into his mouth.

 

[missjenmarie]

I found my sweet Peyton in a similar way and made a thread about it. I started her on pred+antibiotic about 4-5 days after I found her ill .... it's been 36 hours and I'm already seeing improvement. At first when I found her completely lethargic and definitely not eating or drinking, the vet gave her saline water by mouth syringe, along with a/d science diet cat food that they were going to force feed her but miraculously she ate on her own out of a small disk. I know someone was just recommending me to not keep giving her that cat food because it's high protein, but if your rat is severely dehydrated and not eating anything substantial, I might try it for a day or two. Peyton gained 3 grams in less than 3 days, which was pretty impressive. I think it would help your little one get some nutrients and get some weight back. In that regard, it should give me more strength while you figure out what to do regarding possible meds. Like I said, Peyton just started on pred+antibiotic for similar symptoms your little one is experiencing. Peyton is a year and 8 months. Hope this helps you at all, and I hope your sweetie pie gets strength to pull through. I would get to your vet asap and ask about the a/d SD and saline, as well as the steroids. It has done wonders for Peyton so far, and I hope she continues to improve.

 

[victoria]

Baby food or baby cereal is a better way to get nutrients and fluids into her, as is Ensure. Cat food is very poorly balanced for a rat, even as a 'treat' or in an emergency.

 

[nightmarevamp]

I'm able to feed him by hand, and put yogurt on the treats as well. He will eat banana. But he is in decline for sure.

He's been chronically ill for so long now I don't think even strong medicine will buy him more then another month or two. As it was only 3 weeks after a month of meds this happened.

I'm pretty sure he's going to be PTS tomorrow

 

[SQ]

Predisone + antibiotic will help inprove the lives of many rats with pt or other neulorigical conditions.
But it doesn't cure them and eventually the brain damange is so great that they no longer make a difference

Bromo helps some rats with pt.
See: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=28917&p=401595&hilit=stella#p401595

 

[nightmarevamp]

Thief was sadly put to sleep today after a long long battle. He was feeling pain through even the simple examination and with his cronic illness and history it was the sad realization that he was was in pain and not getting better.

He will be sorely missed.

 

[missjenmarie]

Im so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your little one. Hopefully in part of the grieving process you focus your thoughts on how Thief impacted your life and the happy moments you both shared. Im sure there are so many moments that brought both you and Thief so much joy. Those little paw prints forever etched on your heart, you will have that forever. Hugs.

 

[lilspaz68]

I am very sorry Jeff, you really tried for him. :cuddle:

 

[Joanne]

I'm sorry you lost your rattie today. RIP Thief, play hard at the bridge now that illness no longer plagues you......

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry for your loss.