My first love is sick

[Melissa]

I came home to me dear Aslan weak, breathing heavily, and limp as a noodle. I was crying for an hour. I put my mind to work as soon as I got home and took him to the bathroom, put the shower on hot and dropped some tea tree in the tub. It has helped his breathing, but I'm not sure how much time he has left. I just put him back in his cage, with a cold diffuser on in the room. It has a few drops of tea tree, sweet thyme and eucalyptus. I has no idea if any of these are toxic to rats, as there is little research, but on many other animals they are safe. These oils are excellent for the respiratory system. He seems much more comfortable now. He had a whole lot of water, a tiny bit of chicken and a bit of baby cereal. I just ask that no one gets mad at me for not taking him to the vet. I really feel it will just stress him out more and make his myco flare up even more. If he ends up suffering, I will indeed take him in to be put to sleep. For personal reasons, I've really become anti-drug (as you know I'm weaning myself off meds and I also stopped taking other kinds I was on. I'm even done with OTC stuff). So please, pray for my little one, my first ratty love.

 

[lilspaz68]

Ahh poor Aslan, he is such a sweetheart.

See if you can get some strawberry Ensure and syringe it into him. Just offer it to him and he will lick when you depress the plunger of the syringe. He'll stop when he needs to breathe and you will get some calories and fluids into him all at once.

So sorry Melissa, its terrible when your first love gets ill when they are old. ((hugs))

 

[Melissa]

He's doing ok with the baby cereal. I made sure to make it liquidy. I think I have some ensure... just have to find it.

 

[lilspaz68]

keep him warm, and let him tell you if he wants to be in his cage with his brother or with you instead.

 

[Melissa]

When I have him with me, he will sometimes sit in my lap but he is more often crawling away to be beside the pillow away from me. He also turns around so I can't see his face. I almost feel like he doesn't want me to see him the way he is.

 

[LA]

Awwww, what a little trooper. (((Melissa))). Keep us updated.

 

[Melissa]

I will try. My bet is still in the other apartment. I'm going to go nack up now and check up on him.

Thanks guys.

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry, Melissa. Sending healing vibes to your sweetie.

 

[Bronwyn]

Oh gosh, waiting for news!

I completely understand the no-vet wish. Sometimes you just know when to let them be. :heart: I'm thinking of you two!

 

[Melissa]

I'm in the midst of posting a sad video of Aslan. I am not sure how bad he is, so I am hoping you guys can help. I just need to wait for it to upload.

 

[Bronwyn]

:redbud:

 

[Melissa]

I don't even think meds would do him any good anyways since he is almost 28 months. *sigh* I feel so bad.

 

[Melissa]

Here we go, don't mind my conversation with Shelagh on the phone.

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa13 ... lan001.flv

 

[Bronwyn]

He's sooo handsome. I have absolutlely nothing of use to say but it's quite true. *sending virtual kisses to Aslan*

 

[Melissa]

Thanks, I'm sure he loves it.

When I put him in his cage, he just lies on his side with his mouth opened a bit. I'm sooooo scared every time I go to peek in.

 

[jorats]

This may be the end for him. It's been a long good life though... Make sure he's comfortable and the babies aren't bothering him.
I'm so sorry you are going through this.


(((hugs)))

 

[Melissa]

*get super emotional*

Do you think I need to find a vet... for... you know. I just don't know when to say it's the end unless he does it for me first real soon.

 

[mamarat2]

*get super emotional*

Do you think I need to find a vet... for... you know. I just don't know when to say it's the end unless he does it for me first real soon.

I try to get an idea of how bad they are suffering. If it is respiratory and its apparent that they aren't getting any better (have been on meds for a long time and still going downhill) then I will promptly take them to the vet for euthanasia. Not being able to breathe is a horrible thing at least from an asthmatics' standpoint, I feel like its the last gift I can give them.

Only you know if you really need to take him to a vet to have the sweet ratter euthanized.

(((((((hugs)))))))) you're in our thoughts tonight

 

[Bronwyn]

When my rat boy acted like that he was gone within the hour but it wasn't respiratory, we're not sure what it was. : x But it does seem his time is limited if that's anything to go by. I had another rat act the same way only she lasted a few hours. I kept her in my hoodie for a while but thought she might want to be alone in the end despite her acceptance of being cuddled. : / I settled by setting her among blankets in her cage and just talked to her until she died. It's really tough for you, but I like to think they have some sort of comfort knowing they aren't alone.

:rose:

 

[lilspaz68]

He doesn't look in distress...more tired and slowly giving up. You will know when its time to take him in and help him pass...there's a frantic look in their eyes, or a dull look which means he is just enduring.

See how he is tomorrow and then decide.