Serious Respiratory Infection... -Back from the Vet

[adreabri]

Okay so wednessday I had my house professionally sprayed for fleas by a retired guy who does it on the side. After he said several times that this would not harm the animals we agreed and did not remove the animals. The rats have been fine since then. Fed them their dinner last night no problem. This morning I find three of my boys gone. Pinky & Brain were old and I was expecting Pinky to leave soon... he had lost a lot of weight and was in the early stages of PT and Brain his brother was equally as old (they were both over 2) but brain was on the healthier side so this was more of a shock but the bigger shock came when I found Milo gone as well. Unsure of Milos age but pretty sure he was roughly 1 1/2 but in very good health with just a small resp infection.

Now Gizmo, the same age has a pretty bad resp infection and already have managed to get a dose of baytril in him and getting him into the vets asap tomorrow morning. However what can i do for him now untill tomorrow?

I know I should have removed them after he assured us they would be fine repeatedly and we kept the door shut and none of the spray got into the room. I deserve the reprimand over this and feel terrible. I let this happen and now they are gone... Everyone else is fine. Scrubbing the cage down REALLY good and all their food is getting pitched and replaced as well as their water. I am calling this guy up immediately after my vet appt tomorrow and will demand my money back and will never call this man again...

Please help me help my Gizmo...

 

[lilspaz68]

Could it be a virus instead?

Where do you live hun?

 

[adreabri]

I'm in chat. Live in the states. Southern Illinois

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I'm so sorry :hugs: Do you know what he sprayed?

 

[Joanne]

Wow, I am so sorry you lost three of your ratties in one night! How shocking for you. I too wonder if there is something else going on. I would think that the rats would have been showing signs of illness much closer to the spraying event if that was what caused it. It may be coincidence.
Hang in there Gizmo!

 

[hopefloats]

I am sorry! hugs to you. Keep us posted on him.

 

[adreabri]

Not yet but I have every intention of finding out

 

[mamarat]

Oh no! Sending healing vibes.

 

[M0onkist]

Doesn't make too much sense that they'd have an issue a few days afterwards - if it was a neurotoxin it should react right away...

Maybe it weakened their lungs a titch and that let some kind of infection in?

Regardless though, you have my deepest sympathies and sincere well-wishes for Gizmo. If your vet does it, instead of baytril/doxy, maybe zithro/baytril? You'll definitely want to make sure he stays hydrated - apple juice or better still Ensure (which gives energy as well as liquids).

And maybe go on Angie's List and give him a scathing review...

 

[jorats]

I know when we had our house sprayed, we had to remove all our cats, even though it was environmentally safe. Even setting off your self cleaning oven can kill.
I don't think it's a coincidence. The spray is airborne and when it eventually hit the room, that's probably when it started to affect the rats.
It's not your fault adreabri... that man should have advised against keeping pets in the home. He is at fault and in my opinion should be held liable. The only way to really know is to have a post mortem done and the tissues sent away for analysis.
I'm so very sorry. ((hugs))

 

[hopefloats]

Do you think she should still call the guy and find out what he sprayed to take that information with her? We walked her through getting him breathing ok again now. She is out now getting some infant ibuprofen for him.

 

[M0onkist]

I think so - poison control always needs to know what you took, it seems reasonable to get that kind of information for the vet.

Not sure I'd be too clear that there are animals dead as a result of his treatment though before you get the chemical used, Adi - otherwise he might not tell you.

 

[jorats]

I would definitely ask what he used. And I would rush the other rats to the vet with that information.

 

[victoria]

I know when we had our house sprayed, we had to remove all our cats, even though it was environmentally safe. Even setting off your self cleaning oven can kill.
I don't think it's a coincidence. The spray is airborne and when it eventually hit the room, that's probably when it started to affect the rats.
It's not your fault adreabri... that man should have advised against keeping pets in the home. He is at fault and in my opinion should be held liable. The only way to really know is to have a post mortem done and the tissues sent away for analysis.
I'm so very sorry. ((hugs))

I tend to agree it's something to look into. Losing half your colony unexpectedly overnight is very serious and unusual. It could be a virus but I'm still shocked to see they all died so close together. I hope you're able to save the rest of your boys :hugs:

 

[crumbilina]

Did you receive an invoice for the services rendered? Or was it a purely cash transaction? If you received an invoice it *should* say on the invoice what was used. If it was a cash transaction, I hope there is proof that he actually did what you say he did.

I'm so sorry about your ratties. It really wasn't your fault.
:hugs: I hope that Gizmo is ok!

 

[adreabri]

It was a cash transaction. He only does it on the side so it was on a handshake.

Gizmo is making me nervous. Extremely worried he won't make it through the night. My vet isn't open on Sunday but when I call I can always get in extremely early. I've given him enought baytril for the day and some infant ibprofuin. Managed to get some ensure in him and some water but he was refusing the food and just wanted to nap.

My heart is breaking. I love all my rats dearly but gizmo is my heart rat. The first to the door when I open the cage and always giving me kisses... I can't handle loosing him after my others passing away. I'm praying that he survives the night to get to the vet tomorrow

 

[kscanuck785]

I'm so sorry.... :sad3:
hang in there!!!

 

[hopefloats]

it isn't uncommon for them to not eat. He is eating the ensure which is good. Which is why you feed them ensure. I find regular lab blocks they ignore but you might find he will eat veggies, cheerios, chicken noodle soup, and other stuff. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and him. Just keep an eye on him and do what we showed you in chat and tomorrow explain every thing to the vet.

 

[crumbilina]

:hugs:

My guys always eat baby cereal mixed with ensure. Not sure if you tired that. Or cream corn works pretty well around here too.

 

[adreabri]

Back from the vet with Gizmo. The vet seemed unsure as to whether or not the flea spraying could have killed the rats or not. She thinks that we would have noticed changes within a couple days and not 4 days later. When I asked about it traveling in the air she still thought it would have affected them sooner. She does think that the spray triggered gizmos resp infection

Well about gizmo all she gave me was baytril but she increased his dosage. he's now on 1/6 of a pill twice daily and she gave me enough for ten days then she wants me to come back. She said that his lungs didn't sound THAT wet of which I was surprised to hear. She told me to continue with the steaming and the ensure supplements and to make sure he's eating because he's lost a little weight. We are doing all we can do for him and hopefully with the medication he will pull through. I was honestly surprised that he made it through the night. When we went to bed last night he was looking pretty grim but this morning he was extremely fidgety and crawly which makes me feel loads better.

We are still waiting to hear back from the guy that sprayed the house. We've called him twice and left a message but still no response. Really interested to hear what he has to say plus we can tell the vets that and it might help this along.

Also I thought I should mention this the vet noticed it... Gizmos skin underneath his fur seems to be extremely dry and yellow-y and the vet was unsure why. She didn't seem concerned about it being linked with his resp infection but said she would do some research on it and see what came up.

Now we just have to pray that Gizmo pulls through I appreciate all the support... It really means a WHOLE WHOLE lot.. Kyle keeps telling me that Pinky Brain & Milo are all watching over Gizmo...