Possible gel ingestion!

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Help!
Dunno what to do?
Last night I put a pack of Theragel (a cold ice pack like thing) in the girl's cage (wraped in a towel) thinking that I was doing right by giving them something cold to lie on, they loved it. But this morning after being woken up by work (they wanted me to come in today), I went to check on them and saw that the towel was pulled back and the side of the pack chewed open...I started to panic, and grabbed the girl's out of the bed basket and checked them over fast.

They seemed ok, but I needed to go to work. (I know I'm awful for leaving them like that, so I don't want bad comment's about it!) I would have never left them if they were really sick!

They still seem ok tonight, I just gave them a blueberry each and a small piece of freshly cooked blueberry muffin (which they loved) to wash the bad stuff down, if there is any.
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I had a stupid moment last night, I did not think at all that they'd chew it!
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What should I do?
Book a vet appointment or leave them be?


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The "Theragel" idea was (well I was just looking for something flat that they could lie on if they want) from the frozen water bottle idea I read on here, but I had the bright idea to get something flat instead.

 

[purinpurin]

Uh-oh! Ice packs (or even heat packs) meant for humans shouldn't be used precisely for that reason. It's alright, at least you know not to do that from now on.

If they seem alright now, then they might not have ingested too much; they could have licked some of it, found it tasted bad, and didn't bother eating it. If they become lethargic or a change in behaviour (ex. disinterest in food), then take them to the vet ASAP to get a checkup. You might also want to phone your vet at the very least and ask them what you should do in such emergencies. Most vets are more than happy to give clients quick tips.

 

[jorats]

Toxicity through ingestion usually yields immediate reactions. If the girls are ok now, I'd just keep an eye on them.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Oh good, I feel less bad now!

They have a doctor's appointment at 10:45 tomorrow for a checkup just incase *lol*
wanted to know all your opinion's?

The rat's first doctor's appointment
I hope the doc's used to get pooped on, cause Kaina's a poop machine

 

[victoria]

Next time, you can make a cheap ice pack by freezing water in an old pop bottle. That way if they chew through it there's only the risk of making a big mess in the cage.

 

[MomRat]

Frozen ceramic tile is a good cool down too. If you have two you can swap them out, and they don't make the cage flood.

Also, its not a bad idea to keep activated charcoal in your first aid kit, for poison ingestion. Also, (we were discussing this last week cause my girly rats stole some flowers that were toxic) some SPCA's have a poison control phone number specifically for pet issues, its good to have handy.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Ya my thinking too, frozen water bottle so if they chew it, it's only water.....that will flood the cage *sigh big clean-up ahead*.
Thankx victoria!

And I like the ceramic tile idea too, but it won't break in the freezer?

I will look those up!
Thankx MomRat!

Today, in a few hours the girl's will experience their first doctor's appointment!

 

[hopefloats]

I took some zip lock bags and put a bit of water in them, laid them flat in the freezer and let them freeze. I didnt use the normal ziploc bags, I used the vacuum seal bags they are thicker and not as flimsy as the otherers I love the ceramic tile idea though. But that stuff stinks bad when they pee on them LOL.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Oh!

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Well the kid's had their doctor's appointment just now and both checked out perfectly fine...for now!

Just I dunno really how to do what the doc suggested, I just have one cage...that I need to make sure they both eat, poop, pee and drink!

 

[Zooy]

If they are fine now they are probably okay. My dog ate one and she was literally poisoned from it, she was never right after she ate it. We took her to the vet and they did as much as they could for her. She had serious issues from it though and was put to sleep a year later. I don't even keep them in my apt anymore.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

 

[jamiej]

But i think its bad :roll:

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

They are fine, went to the vet and she cleared them both just saying that if they ingested some it should have affected them straight away or any day soon...just to keep an eye on them.

 

[SQ]

The ziplock bag idea sounds good ..... the freezer ziplocs would likely work great with a bit of water in them.
Ice cubes in their water dishes is another tghing you can do.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Those are great idea`s for next time, but for the summer I got the permission to move them downstairs where it`s way cooler and they seem to appreciate it