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Rissa

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
607
Location
Vancouver, Canada
This is just going to be brief cause I'm racing off to the vet right now again to say goodnight but spock is at the vets and has been all day because of an ear infection. The vet cultured it and said it was aggressive and shes very guarded if he'll make it the night. They have him in an incubator because of low temps and will be holding him overnight. :(
 
I just got back. His eye is almost bulging out of his head. She said its an inner ear infection which is very deep, and causing a lot of pressure. Between the ear infection and the pain killers hes very out of it. They have him on metacam and an opiate I couldn't pronounce. They also have him in a incubator cause they said his body temperature keeps dropping. They gave him subQ as well cause he was getting dehydrated. He refused all food I tried to give him even yummy fatty yogurt drops. They are putting eye drops in his eyes due to the incubator and generally seem to be taking good care of him I just feel powerless. The vet asked me how far I want to go with this because shes very very guarded if he'll pull through, and I said we will talk tomorrow.
 
I took a picture of him while I was there. I brought a snuggle sac from home so he had something familiar. I wish I had thought to bring a hut, he has no where to hide.

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When I was there and holding him I wanted to call the vet and tell her to PTS on the spot but he deserves a fighting chance. I have to say I am very impressed she cultured the bacteria to find the best ABs on the spot and that makes me a tiny bit more hopeful.
 
:hugs: Was anything done to rule out an abscess or tumor? I hate to put any worry in you mind but this reminds me of a rat CCH took in who we thought just had a bad ear infection but then her eye started bulging and we found out it was an abscess.
 
I remember Tilly. :( The vet mentioned possibility of a tumor but she wanted to at least give the abs a chance to kick in and see if we can get the swelling down. She said his ear is completely filled with liquid.

He had zero symptoms until Saturday nigh when he just seemed "off" Then Sunday is when I noticed the smell. His eye didn't start to bulge until this AM and then got worse over the day. He also didn't get lethargic until this morning. She seemed surprised herself how fast its progressing. There is a possibility hes been fighting this awhile, I don't normally smell my rats ears but he was acting 100% normal all the way up until Saturday, he still doesn't even have a tilt. :( She mentioned how thick and soft his coat was and his overall excellent body condition. He wasn't even dehydrated until this morning and he was still licking at the baby food. Between all the meds he now has zero appetite so thats why they stated the subQ. I really wish there was some way I could have caught this sooner, it may mean the difference of life and death. I got home and smelled all my rats ears.
 
Sending all the good vibes we can muster. Poor baby. I'd guess tho that if she took a culture its for sure an ear infection. If it was a tumor, or abscess she wouldn't have been able to get the bacteria from inside the ear.
 
She said sometimes there can be a tumor underneath the infection, but we didn't get into it any further, she just wanted to get him stabilized.
 
I hope your little man pulls through. He has the best chance there with the fluids and temperature control and pain meds, so here's hoping...
 
He made it through the night, so thats something. The vet won't be able to look at him until after 9 then she'll be giving me a call, I really hope he has pulled through the worse of it and can come home with me.
 

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