my rat is very sick and cant eat but wants to. help!

[kaci]

my rat muffin is almost 2 years old and has had a wonderful life he has always been very energetic,active, and loved food. Recently he started to slow down and seem tired and also didnt seem too interested in his food. then one night (last thursday) he choked on some bread ( im not sure if that has anything to do with the problem) and after that he went down hill fast. he is so weak and cant hold his food in his hands and has trouble cleaning him self. we took him to the vet last friday and we were given two antibiotics (Vibramycin and Enrofloxacin, i believe those are the names of the medication). at first he seemed to get a bit better, but now he is even worse. he wants to eat but cant chew much and has trouble finding it even when i hold the food in front of his face. please help i dont know if there is anything more i can do! i love him so much and i just cant give up this easily on him! :sad3:

 

[hopefloats]

First get a syringe and feed him some ensure, he needs his energy. Is he sick? labored breathing? how is his balance? can he hold a cheerio with two hands?

 

[jorats]

It sounds to me like a pituitary tumour. Could you call the vet and ask to have prednisone added to his med list?

 

[EDK]

Ya try to syrenge feed him, ensure or baby food, anything to get his energy back up, and check back with your vet asap hope he can hang in there

 

[kaci]

First get a syringe and feed him some ensure, he needs his energy. Is he sick? labored breathing? how is his balance? can he hold a cheerio with two hands?

yes the veterinarian said he was sick (they took a blood test and he had a high white blood cell count so hes trying to fight off something), his breathing seems regular, his balance seems good also but he isnt able to stand on just his back legs anymore (i think he could be too weak), and no he cant hold a cheerio at all anymore ): i will definitely get some ensure for him! it just might be hard to get him to take it cause he hates the syringe so much. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the advicw :heart:

 

[kaci]

i will also check into if it could be a pituitary tumor. thanks so much for the advice! :heart:

 

[SQ]

For pt .... pred twice a day with an antibiotic. This will help to relieve the symptoms of some rats by reducing swelling
And bromocriptine twice a day, helps some rats with pt. If it works, it treats the tumour, not just the symptoms.
Please see: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=24452&hilit=bromo
and viewtopic.php?f=21&t=28917&hilit=bromo

As noted in Godmother's post, she starts treating with bromo by giving 1/4 of the dose and gradually increasing it.
It is more effective if given with predisone, and predisone must be given with an antibiotic as it lowers the immune system.
And I believe it should be given around the same time as food as it may irritate the stomach.

Ensure or soy infant formula, thickened with baby cereal .... you can feed it using a syringe (into the side of his mouth), but he might lick it off your finger.

You need to keep him warm and hydrated
Hope he soon feels better

 

[dan2333]

Darn, I feel for you. When my Jasper was sick I fed him with a syringe every 2 hours to no avail. I hope your rat gets through this.

Give him lots of love and tell him that he'll pull through it.

 

[EDK]

I'm sure when you have a syringe of tasty food he'd reconsider, when rats are hungry they will eat, I hope he will in your case though. Good luck!

 

[Godmother]

Good luck. It is such a hard thing to deal with.