My rat is developing issues... Too soon, man. Way too soon.

[larch]

I will check it all out when I go shopping.

I just looked at him and there is a red stain on his fur going from his mouth to his chin. I gave him some food which he snatched up but didn't swallow, so I took them out of his mouth. They were red-stained.

I still don't know if it's possible that too much porphyrin could do this. Coming through the mouth and staining some things that come in contact with his mouth, I can understand. But dripping out his mouth, even a bit, seems too much...

Is he actively bleeding from his lungs or somewhere? It seemed to have stopped before now but I can't be sure.
I'm starting to wonder if I'll be losing another friend...

 

[larch]

Now he's breathing awfully and starting running around in a panic... I can't believe this. :sad3:

 

[Fidget]

Crap, from the 1st page I was coming to say porphyrin is in the eyes & nose, not the mouth. Something isn't right. I wish I knew what to tell you is wrong, I don't know, sounds like some small internal hemorrhage. I shouldn't say what I don't know, I don't want to scare you but to me it sounds like your boy has something going on inside. Oh hon., god my heart is so with you...

(It's no consideration at this point but for future reference to all baytril can last months in the right form).

 

[larch]

I was told from the emergency vet, who take care of all sorts of animals, that it is possible to have porphyrin go into the mouth from the eyes/nose if there was a build up/too much of it. I still hope this is the case but it seems totally uncommon and wrong for this to be happening...

I can't miss anymore school to take him to the vet, or else I get kicked out of school.
I'm so at a loss...

His breathing seemed to have calmed again but I don't doubt he'll have another episode.
Why are these horrible things happening to my babies... I can't stand another one.

 

[Fidget]

so you have to get him to emergency - or you have to just just hug him and love him, larch. He's been to the vet, so if you just do the hugging you're doing the best you can by him. I''m so worried about you both but I can't do anything, I don't want to make it worse by making you worry but I'm not feeling ok about him having blood in his mouth. Maybe its just he has some bleeding painful dental problems... apparently Metacam can make bleeding worse, so I dunno what to tell you except keep telling him you love him...

 

[larch]

if I hug him, I will have a very soaked rattie on my hands. I can't stop sobbing thinking of what this will probably lead up to... Again.

I can't sleep.

I love him so much, why'd this have to happen so soon. I wish someone would drive me to the animal ER... Actually I am MAD at the ER for not seeing this sooner. He was like this when they handed him back to me!!

 

[Fidget]

Sometimes hon they're just sick in a way that can't be helped by your or a vet.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and hope Ketchup proves me wrong by being just fine tomorrow. but I don't believe this 'they can have porphyrin in the mouth'. Maybe they can but porphyrin is a slight thing and you are not going to notice it in their mouth with the saliva diluting it and them swallowing. If you see blood in a rat's mouth I have to think there is some significant bleeding from either inside or from their teeth. Maybe Ketchup isn't ok. I hope I'm wrong. But I do know that you've done everything you can to look after him!! Some things you can't fix. Just love him and let him know. If he's not ok you will feel guilty, it doesn't mean you didn't do everything you could, it's just something mom's feel no matter what they do.
You need to just love him right now and comfort him best you can. And you need to remember that you're not god and neither are the vets. And right now is not about blame or anger, it's about being there with your boy, not just to give but to get, rough as it can be it's a lifetime love.

 

[larch]

He is not looking well... I had high hopes before, but everything is playing against him. He may still be alive tomorrow, but he won't be fine, he'll probably be worse. I don't think he wants to drink anymore...

I'm curled up with him and a blanket, petting him.
It's just not fair. He should live to see 2... Everything that makes me happy is leaving me.

 

[Fidget]

you've been the best mom to Sucksuck and Ketchup. You have a lot of other stuff going on in your life, eh? and they should be your pleasure. Somehow you're getting the worst draw possible in a lot of ways, eh? It's not right. But you remember that Sucksuck & Ketchup have both been lucky enough to find love and be cherished & cuddled til the end of their days. Ketchup is gonna hang in long as he can for that good lovin'. Most humans end their days alone in an old folks home and maybe never had a hugs for months. Your boys are already blessed and you already blessed them. The rest is gravy. You just cuddle Ketchup and don't worry about tomorrow til tomorrow. Hugs, hon.
You'll have lots of love & support here always...

 

[Joanne]

Sorry that you're dealing with this so soon after Sucksuck. If he's having a really hard time and doesn't seem to be improving, you may need to make a decision we all hate to make. About a month ago I made that decision for my Kira. It was hard to do, but it was harder to watch her panicking and struggling to breathe. Do what you feel is best for Ketchup. I'm so sorry...

 

[larch]

I had to make that decision. My little friend is gone. I'm trying not to be as sad about it. It's less hard since he's not the first, but it's more hard because he seemed a lot less worse off.

You guys were right, it was blood in his mouth. He's been also swallowing that blood and pooping black. The vet also noticed a mass in his abdomen, which could have been anything. He assumes it was cancer that spread to his lungs. He said there was probably only 10-20% of his lung left, and there was only a 5% chance of him getting better with aggressive treatment.

When I saw him last, he was still panting horribly, but his eyes were wide open and he seemed alert. I could have kept him for another day, but it would be the same story when I brought him back. I decided to do it while I was there.

He kept lapping up water as if he were saying, "I'm a good boy, I can keep hydrated on my own!" and he kept coming up to me, jumping on my chest, and snuggling with me in my scarf. I cried on him until his neck was pretty soaked. Whenever I tried to take him off me, he clung to me. He really didn't want to go. But I really saw no other way... Eventually I handed him over. I was going to be there for him when he went, but I decided I couldn't do it. After seeing his eyes wide open like that, I couldn't watch him go.

I am getting him cremated like Sucksuck.

R.I.P my little Ketchup.
Now I am totally Rat-less... I don't feel right.

 

[mamarat]

I am so sorry. RIP little man.

 

[Cinderwolf]

I'm so sorry for your loss Larch

RIP little man, go play hard with your brother SuckSuck.

 

[southpawratties]

OMG I am so so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. But my thoughts are with you and you have my condolences. I lost 2 adults and 2 babies last month so I can relate sadly. If you need to talk or vent or cry or anything pm me. Again so very sorry for your loss.

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry.

 

[xenrielle]

So very sorry for your loss.

 

I'm so sorry :heart:

 

[crumbilina]

:hugs: So sorry for your loss.

You did everything you could for him and he knows it.

Rest well Ketchup :heart:

 

[temblabamomo]

I am very sorry for your loss :hugs: I hope you can find a bit of comfort in knowing that he is reunited with Sucksuck. Play hard, boys.

 

[larch]

Thank you southpaw. Thank you Fidget.
Thank you everyone.

>: I will be writing a memorial letter for them soon.