Norman isn't doing well-video

[Pixie]

When I left this morning for work everyone seemed to be doing fine. Norman ate a little and nobody had any marks on them. But tonight when I went to take the rats out for their playtime, Norman didn't come out of his house. When I lifted it off of him he had a bite mark, and he was cold to the touch, fairly limp and very lethargic. I carefully washed off the blood with warm water, and have him wrapped in a towel on a heat pack. I took his temperature and is was 99.0F. I can't get him to eat anything, not even baby food with strawberry nesquik or his favorite yogurt drops. He seems to be hydrated, when I pinch his skin in quickly goes back. His breathing is not raspy or labored anymore then usual. Every ten minutes or so he does this really weird head bobbing movement and his eyes go really bulgy.

Does anyone else have advice on what to do?

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[RKEM]

Something is definitely not right, I would take him to the vet as soon as possible. I've seen bobbing like that in rats after a stroke but it could be a number of things. If he is not taking food (and possibly not drinking) ... you need to get him seen very very soon.

 

[victoria]

I was thinking PT but in light of the bite it could be a severe pain reaction or he could be in shock... he should see a vet as soon as possible. Keep offering fluids and keeping him warm.

 

[jorats]

I agree that it might be that suffered a neurological event. I'd get him to a vet as soon as you can... Steroids might help.

 

[handmeafish]

he's doing the same funny sniffy thing Neville did. Its possible he had a stroke... That would fit if he was fine and then all of a sudden wasn't fine.
Hopefully you can get him to the vet soon. Poor guy.
sending good vibes.

 

[Pixie]

I couldn't get Norman to a vet in time. He quickly passed away shortly after I was on the message board. :sad3: I feel horrible, I think it must have been a stroke or heart attack. He started having more violent fits and drooling. I wish I could have got him to the vet to be PTS sooner, but I know he is in better hands now then he ever was with me, with our Father in Heaven.

I will be posting a memorial for him

 

[jorats]

((hugs))

 

[lilspaz68]

So sorry hun that you had to experience that. It does sound like seizures and they are very unpleasant to watch, but they don't usually suffer through them like you think. An epileptic rat owner I knew said that during seizures you "went away" and didn't feel anything or know what was going on.

 

[RKEM]

I'm sorry this happened ... there was probably something wrong neurologically.

If he had a seizure before passing, don't worry, he probably felt nothing at all. I once had a really bad reaction to a medication and it gave me seizures. Like Lilspaz68 said, it's not painful. You're doing fine and all of a sudden you wake up / come out of it; you're not even conscious of the seizure starting of the duration of the episode, it feels instantaneous even though minutes might have passed. There is zero feeling or memory of whatever happened between the time the conscious mind shuts down and the end of the episode ... even though it might look horrendously painful to an onlooker.

 

[Ollie]

SO sorry :sad3: :sad3: :sad3: :sad3:

 

[lilspaz68]

Thank your for the affirmation Helene, it is terribly frightening to see seizures and you are sure they are suffering, but they aren't. Having a person post that has gone through it helps a lot. :thumbup:

 

[jennifervb]

I'm so sorry Pixie. :tearful:

I have no doubt that God needed little Norman upstairs for something really important.

I have no doubt Norman will tell you about it in your dreams. :love6:

Hang in there Sweetie. You are a wonderful rat mom and your boy loves you. :hugs:

 

[Pixie]

Thanks you everyone for your support and condolences. :hugs: