Ralphie's breathing troubles...Feeling Better!!!: 4/18

[Slapdash]

I've been dealing with learning that Zoey has chronic kidney disease this week then yesterday I find a mammary tumor on Rosie!
Then, I'm getting ready for bed last night and I see my oldest guy Ralphie, (21months) having trouble breathing...I'm a total wreck right now and would so appreciate any help I can get...
I started him on azithromycin and doxy last night, and gave him some motrin around 6 or 7am when he still looked in distress and his sides were a little sunken in. I was going to steam him but he got too worked up (I think panicky from his breathing) when I took him out of the cage :sad3: I couldn't get out of work today because I've already left early twice this week and called out once last week for my girl Zoey's kidney issues :gaah: So currently, he just had a little more dark chocolate and he look's maybe a TINY bit more comfortable but is still using his abdominal muscles to breathe and his whole head moves a little when he breathes, it absolutely breaks my heart to watch him like this!
So, I can get him in to the vet for tomorrow but I'm not sure if I should bring him to the emergency vet tonight? I'm also not positive they'll be able to do much more for him then I can here. I need help! lol

My big questions are...
How can I tell if it's his heart vs respiratory, because he's always had URI problems, been overweight, I've noticed SOME weakness in his back legs but I'm not sure if it's just because of his size? I want to get some lasix tomorrow at the vet but will he be ok until then?
I also have albuteral I can give him but if it IS his heart will it help?
I can also give him SubQ fluids, this would be beneficial either way, correct? Because I have noticed a slight decrease in his water intake and appetite last night at veggie time he kept losing interest in the food and he would just take a nibble here and there and walk away which is VERY bizarre for him!
I'm running out to the pharmacy, is there anything else besides maybe ensure that I should I get, to get him through the night, that is if you don't think I should go to the ER vet?
Finally, I'm torn as to if I should separate him and Zoey from the rest of the pack? It's finally dawning on me that all these issues must have been brought on my the two new baby additions (Clementine and Clarabelle) to the crew, and I'm racked with guilt over the thought :sad3: I could split up the FN into a sort of seniors and juniors type situation but that would most likely mean separating Ralphie from Rosie who he's been with the longest, but who would be needed with the other girls :wallbang: And since they've all ALWAYS been together I don't know if separating them would backfire anic: The babies can be quite annoying at times and I don't like to see them plow over him or Zoey when they're not feeling well, so I feel like I have to do SOMETHING???

I'm sorry for all the questions I'm just so overwhelmed and sick to my stomach over everything!

 

[lilspaz68]

OK we shall assume its another URI flareup. Heart issues usually present as not responding to abs, but obviously he does and gets better right?

If he has a gasping attack, give him the albuterol, or if you think it won't stress him too much and he seems to be having issues getting air in, give him some.

If he fails the pinch test for dehydration give him fluids

I wouldn't give lasix at this point at all, there's no real reason to believe its his heart is there?

The dark chocolate will only open up the airways temporarily and should be used during a respiratory attack.

 

[Slapdash]

OK we shall assume its another URI flareup. Heart issues usually present as not responding to abs, but obviously he does and gets better right?

If he has a gasping attack, give him the albuterol, or if you think it won't stress him too much and he seems to be having issues getting air in, give him some.

If he fails the pinch test for dehydration give him fluids

I wouldn't give lasix at this point at all, there's no real reason to believe its his heart is there?

The dark chocolate will only open up the airways temporarily and should be used during a respiratory attack.

Thank you so much for the quick reply and clear responses!!!

Yes he has had previous URI episodes and they have cleared up in the past, but in the past maybe 6 or 9 months they've been rather stubborn and he's been on and off abs but he's never had THIS much trouble.

He's had two or three "attacks" since last night. The middle of the night and a little while ago, those are the times I gave him the choco, didn't have the albuterol last night So I'll use it if it happens again.

I only thought maybe his heart because of some of the noises he's made but I don't know what I'm listening for lol He just also seemed to have a lot of the signs I read on the health guide. But I'm honestly not sure just trying not to miss anything.

Thanks again!

 

[Bundyrats]

I can't give much advice but I really feel for you. It's the worst feeling and in the last couple of weeks, everytime I turn around there seems to be something wrong with one of my 3 girls. I'm on edge all the time. So I really hope every works out. Sending you good vibes.

 

[Slapdash]

I can't give much advice but I really feel for you. It's the worst feeling and in the last couple of weeks, everytime I turn around there seems to be something wrong with one of my 3 girls. I'm on edge all the time. So I really hope every works out. Sending you good vibes.

Thank you, it really is a terrible feeling! I hope everything works out for your girls as well :hugs:

 

[Slapdash]

Had him out on the couch tonight to get a video, he's still having trouble but is at least a little more active and less panicky then yesterday.
I've also been listening to the sounds he's making a little closer and I actually hear a bit of a chirping with almost every breath he takes inside him when I do rattie phone. He's also making some intermittent sinus like noises and wet sneezes.
Gave him all his meds, veggies, and some a little ensure...do you think I should give him some more motrin?

(You can see him best towards the end)

 

[SQ]

If it flared up and progressed really fast, it may be a secondary infection.
If it doesn't respond to the meds, try clavamox + baytril.

Heart problems develop gradually. Respir. infections can respond to meds but if there comes a time when the various combos of meds don't clear up a respir infection, then it may be a heart problem causing the symptoms.

To check for a heart problem you give enalapril (0.25 mg/Ib or 0.25 mg/454.4 g, twice a day).
If that helps, then atenolol (1 mg/454.4 g twice a day), and lasix as needed (1 - 2 mg/454.4 g twice a day to start).
If xray shows an enlarged heart, digoxin is added as well.

 

[Bundyrats]

Poor sweetie.

 

[jorats]

It could also be pulmonary abscesses... when lung capacity diminishes, they struggle harder to take in deeper breaths.
You could try giving him an inhaler to help open up his airways.

 

[lilspaz68]

Is his chest hard and there's very little give when you press from both sides? I find this is a symptom of pulmonary abscesses. Some of my RTR's have those lungs and are chronic respiratory rats.

 

[Slapdash]

Is his chest hard and there's very little give when you press from both sides? I find this is a symptom of pulmonary abscesses. Some of my RTR's have those lungs and are chronic respiratory rats.

It seems to be a little hard actually, but I'm not sure if that's just cause of his size/weight? I'm going to try to get another video in a few minutes. He seems to be doing the same maybe a TINY but better today. He still sounds terrible when I rat phone him tho

 

[Slapdash]

Video from a few minutes ago... now he seems worse, the vet appt can't come soon enough!

 

[mamarat]

Poor baby.

 

[Slapdash]

Not sure where to begin, I'm a mess right now. We had to admit Ralph to the vet, it was also a 24hour emergency facility. They took xrays and the vet said it was difficult to say for sure but he suspects pneumonia :sad3: He had a few white "fluffly" spots on the xray but he said its not the normal looking pneumonia where its almost all white? He put him in oxygen for about a half hour and he showed a little improvment. He said with the abs hes already on there isnt much more to do but admit him for oxygen.

Initially we wern't going to leave him because I have a vet appt tomorrow with my regular vet and I thought the stress would be too much but as we were getting ready to leave he started open mouth breathing :cry4: So we left him and I was so grateful the vet was willing to take Rosie to be with him, cause we had taken her along for the ride.

I'm thinking I'm going to call around 9 and if he's doing better, I'm going to go pick him up but if not we'll leave him overnight...what are everyone else opinions? I don't know if him being away from home and his cagemates is going to be detrimental to the oxygen in the first place? I'm so worried he's not going to make it and the vet said to keep out fingers crossed...I can't lose him yet! :cry3:

 

[mamarat]

My girl Cookie had pneumonia at 20months and was also given oxygen for a while then I took her home with a Baytril and Zithro combo. She got better and lived to 33 months. Good luck with your boy.

 

[Slapdash]

My girl Cookie had pneumonia at 20months and was also given oxygen for a while then I took her home with a Baytril and Zithro combo. She got better and lived to 33 months. Good luck with your boy.

Thank you, that's good to hear. I hope I can say the same for Ralphie!

So, I also asked for a copy of the xray so I can bring it to my regular vet tomorrow and he gave it to me on a cd so I can actually show you guys, not sure if anyone knows what to look for in an xray? He said these two didn't come out great cause he was wiggling but he was going to try for a better one after we left.

 

[handmeafish]

I know a bit.. more about humans... but healthy lungs should be clear, they shouldn't even show up on an Xray. It looks like the left side is worse than the right. The cloudiness is fluid, which is whats making it hard to breathe. Usually its caused by the lungs reacting to bacteria in the lungs, which is why ABS help.
Good luck! Sending healing vibes

 

[Slapdash]

Ralphie's coming home!!! :joy: So, when I called to check on him alst night around 10, they said his breathing was slightly better and he had eaten a little and that they were going to try to wean him off the oxygen overnight, I was so relieved just to hear that. So when the doctor called after their rounds this morning he said that they had taken him off the O2 around 1am and then had to put him back in around 3 or 4. But around 8 they took him off again and he said while he's still having some trouble, he's better than he was and he said they noticed he was most calm with his buddy and breathing best when with her so he thinks we should try bringing him home, and if he gets worse or doesn't improve by tomorrow he might have to go back for the 02. I had asked the vet about home oxygen therapy(made a post as well) but he could only point me in the direction of trying a medical supply store. But I wouldn't know what to get or how much to give?

We have another vet appt with his regular doc at 12 15 today, going straight from picking him up to there, I just hope the stress won't be too much for him, I really want his opinion, he's been seeing Ralph since he was 2months old and the docs at the evet said they're still not 100% convinced that it's pneumonia.

Thanks everyone, even though he's not back to 100% it feels so good to know he's coming home and doing better!

 

[lilspaz68]

Let us know what your regular vet says...would he give lasix to help remove some of the fluid?

 

[Slapdash]

Let us know what your regular vet says...would he give lasix to help remove some of the fluid?

He might, I asked the evets last night when I called if they were giving him lasix or prednisone and they said the doctors didn't feel it was necessary at this point? But I'm gonna ask my vet, cause if he needed oxygen so bad, it would probably be helpful correct?