Mako isn't thriving/He's gone

[Argent]

Hey all, since we lost Hugo, his brother Mako has started to look really ill. A few days before we made the decision to send Hugo over the bridge, Mako started getting a little respy. Since Hugo has left us, it's gotten worse and he sounds extremely congested. I know it sounds far off but it's because I'm travelling back to my parents for the weekend to bury Hugo, that I've decided to take Mako with me and get him an appointment at our (much cheaper and friendlier) home vets.

They're more willing to help ratties out and as they know me, they will be more than willing to let me try a 3 week Baytril/Doxy combo to really give this flare-up a kick in the nuts. That and it will cost me around £20, it's much more at the vets here, for much less I've just had him in the bathroom with me while I had a bath and he calmed a little and went a bit quieter, but back in the cage with the young boys I think he's suffering a bit as they're not up for cuddling/grooming him, and basically leave him in the igloo to himself while they all curl up in the basket (should I take the other hidey holes away so they have to sit with him?)

I get the feeling I'm going to have to pick up where Hugo left off with him, as the others aren't particularly attracted to him, and he really enjoyed a scritch off me earlier, which he normally hates.

Another thing, I keep feeling tempted to spray my reliever inhaler in his direction, but OH is telling me it's a stupid idea that could do more harm than good. I'm aware of this but his breathing sounds terrible (quiet now though!) The inhaler is Salamol, Salbutamol Sulphate, CFC-Free if anyone knows if it's definately safe. The cage is clean atm and we've had an air purifier running in the room all day, don't know what else to do.

 

[mamarat]

Poor Mako. He's probably grieving the loss of his brother too.

 

[Argent]

I think he's taking it badly...they've been inseperable, no one understood him like Hugo.

 

[jorats]

I do that with my salbuterol with my guys in respiratory distress. No harm, in fact my vet told me to do it.
It sounds like he's grieving hard but he may be telling the babies to leave him alone so I wouldn't remove the other nests. You could be there for the extra cuddles and scritches.

 

[Argent]

Awesome! I just popped him in the carrier and gave him a spritz, hopefully it'll give him some relief for tonight!
Some of the bubs are coming around to him now, one was sat in the igloo with him just now. He'll still be getting loads of extra attention from me!

 

[Argent]

Took Mako to the vets today, he sounds pitiful The vet said she could definately hear fluid on his lungs and there is a chance that is to do with his heart so we're treating this as CHF. He was given a lasix injection which lasts 8-12 hours (he had it about 8 hours ago now) and I came away with Baytril 0.1ml twice a day and lasix in tablet form to be given twice daily, but once if he responds well. I'm not sure how long to wait to see if there is a response but he's certainly still heaving away now...keeps going quiet now and then, and rising to a peak before sneezing and quietening back down, I can't sleep because I'm listening so hard, hoping his breathing quietens down, and at the same time, if I can't hear him, I panic that he's passed away >.<
Is there anything I can physically do to help ease his breathing whilst waiting for the drugs to work? The inhaler doesn't seem to have affected him either way. I can't lose two rats in one week, I feel like he's literally dying of a broken heart :sad3:

 

[SQ]

If he is being treated for heart disease then he needs to be treated with enalapril (0.25 mg/454.4 grams, twice a day) This acts as a diagnostic tool. If it helps,then atenolol is added (1 mg/454.4 grams, twice a day).

Then an xray is done and if his heart is enlarged, then digoxin (0.0025mg/454.4 grams, twice a day) is added.

(info from way too much experience, and from the Rat Health Care book)

 

[Argent]

Thanks for the advice SQ, but we decided on Saturday he was in too much pain...unfortunately that meant having to wait all Sunday as vets are closed and I can't afford emergency fees, but my mum took him this morning to go over the bridge. I feel better about this than prolinging any pain - I know he's not eaten, drank or even slept in 3 days, and that's too much. I'd been trying to just give him his Baytril and some Metacam to relieve his pain, but he desperately didn't want to take it, to the extent of thrashing about and snapping at me, that's how I know he was in far too much pain, he's never fought back like that, I feel he was drowning in his lungs and couldn't take any more fluid. He's going to be at peace now, and I couldn't ask for more...

 

[Bundyrats]

Sorry to hear about Mako.

 

[lilspaz68]

Poor Mako needed to be with his brother. ((hugs))

 

[Kimber]

So sorry to hear that he's gone, but now he is with his brother. xo

 

[SQ]

So very sorry.
Glad Mako is no longer suffering.

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry.

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry. RIP sweet boy.

 

[Exodog]

I'm sorry about your losses. I know how hard it is to lose a pair in close succession.
My two older ladies were similar. There was a bit of back-and-forth health for a while, then after Grurder passed, Eloise wasn't more than a month in following her.
Their little hearts are so big, and if anyone disbelieved the love and grief a rat can express, this would surely show otherwise.
Hugo and Mako will forever be in your heart, and in ours.

 

[Argent]

Thanks for all your lovely kind words guys. I feel much better knowing he's no longer in pain and he is frolicking at the bridge with Hugo, Marsh, Axel and Joey. :heart:

 

[eagle]

So sorry for you loss. :hugs: