Strange behavior. PLEASE read

[faintardis1]

My husband and I recently got to little babies from someone who could not keep them anymore. They will be 3 months old near the middle of April

They are currently living in a temporary small cage until they are a little bit bigger and can be integrated with our big girls.

We cleaned out all the cages on Sunday and everyone was fine, they got fresh food and water. I give everyone a few food blocks each morning and either fresh fruits or vegetables every other day.

Last night when we got home from work, one of the babies, Impa, seemed tired and did not want to come out to be handled, but we assumed she was just sleepy even though the other one, her sister Sheik, was acting normally.

This morning we went to check on her, Impa was lethargic and her eyes looked slightly sunken in (and her cheeks were a little puffed out). There was not any strange looking poop in their cage and Sheik is acting perfectly normal.

They had food and water but when I took her out to hold her and offered her water she seemed as if she had not drunken any water in a good while. We fed her some baby food and soft bread and she ate it, and is looking slightly better. But we wanted to know these are symptoms for an illness or if Sheik had not been allowing her to drink or something like that?

My husband and I are taking turns going home during the day to check on her. He fed her some more about 2 hours after the first time and says she looks better, but is still a little off.

Any ideas?

 

[mamarat]

At that age I would make sure they have food at all times in the cage. As for water I always have a bottle and a small dish. Good luck with your baby.

 

[lilspaz68]

it sounds like something is very wrong, and she needs to get to the vet if she's not feeling better today or tomorrow.

 

[jorats]

Do you have a water bottle? Sometimes those don't always work right. I'd have a bowl of water as well as a bottle water.
How is she acting after the drinking normal?
Does she appear to be breathing fast, any sounds when breathing? Is she eating well? Do you see her eat?
I agree with lilspaz if she's not better by tomorrow it might be worth a vet visit.

 

[faintardis1]

We just put a bowl of water. We fed her some bread and baby food again, and she is definitely seeming better. We have had them for weeks and this is the first time either of them has acted strangely.

Her breathing is perfectly normal, they hoard food but we do see them eating. She is currently sitting in the corner of her cage eating a food block.

She is being less lethargic but still a little odd. I am wondering if you guys have had any experience with babies having strange behavior like this?

 

[Moon]

Does Impa look similarly to the rat in your avatar? They are still young enough that she could be dehydrated due to melacolon. It does sound like you are dealing with a medical problem, not a behavioural one. Can you post some pictures of her?

 

[SQ]

It is important to have at least 2 to 3 sources of water in the cage.
As previously mentioned, water bottles may stop working, get clogged, etc.
Rats die every summer due to inability to access water.

As others mentioned, it is important that rats have access at all times to good quality blocks.
Approx. 80% of the diet is a good quality block
Approx. 20% of diet is daily vegs, and occassional healthy treats such as a piece of fruit, cooked grains or cereals, etc

As Moon mentioned, please post recent pictures, esp. of her abdomen, and her whole body.
Is she the same size as her sister?

 

[faintardis1]

I have been having ALOT of trouble posting pictures. She is a little bit smaller than her sister. I have been feeding her and taking care of her the whole afternoon. She is definitely less sluggish, she is walking around in my lap and sniffing all kinds of things. I took her away from her sister and put her in a little cage (just temporarily) and she has been eating and drinking almost non-stop.

I have seen her eat many times since we have had her, but evidently Sheik has been resource hoarding. She keeps eating, drinking, pooping, and walking about her cage. This has just been so strange. Now I have a water bowl in each of my girls cages.

 

[faintardis1]

I figured how to upload photos.

This photo is from today and her face looks A LOT better!

but she is having other problems...and I am worried about my little one.

We are locating a vet to take her to tomorrow, but I would like some information as soon as possible to know how to proceed.

Her breathing is some what more labored than usual but with no sounds. She is still eating and drinking fine and coming to the cage door whenever we open it. Her poops are looser and her belly is pouchy.

 

[faintardis1]

If you click on the images and then click 'open in a new window' they work.

 

[GrayLightNewDay]

The pictures don't work, it just same "image".

 

[faintardis1]

If you click on the little boxes that show an image should be there, and then click 'open in a new window', they do work.

I am just unsure how to upload the pictures otherwise?

 

[Ace8670]

You can try tinypic.com it's pretty simple just upload then type in what it says and the copy and past the IMG that says for message boards and forums into this topic hope that helps

 

[jorats]

It worked for me by right clicking and opening in a new tab.
She does't look bad, even her face. I think the most important thing is her breathing. A good vet will be able to hear it in her lungs and get her on the right meds. I would ask for baytril and doxy.

 

[faintardis1]

We took her to the vet and they gave her medicine for her poop and it has gotten a lot better, and an injection of some liquid because of her dehydration. They also clipped her teeth since they had gotten a little long while she was sick, and some medicine for her lungs since she is breathing rapidly.

We made her a mix of chicken babyfood, peas, water and smushed up tekland block. She was eating well yesterday after the vet but so far today she has eaten and drunk nothing. I have tried to give her water but she just is not drinking.

Do you have any suggestions as to how we can get her to continue to eat and drink? I don't want to force her because she gets stressed out, but I am still worried because she is lethargic.

 

[jorats]

Did the vet give you medication to continue to give her?

 

[faintardis1]

they gave her some medicine, liquid antibiotics for her lungs if she has an infection.

she is breathing very rapid little breathes. and she refuses to eat or drink

 

[jorats]

They didn't give you any medication to give at home for a few weeks?

 

[faintardis1]

They gave her some baytril which we have been giving every morning and every night like they said too.

I am mainly concerned about her not eating or drinking at all without being forced.

Does anyone have advice how to get them to eat or drink?

 

[AmandaTrexica]

I've not had personal experience with this, but is read on here of people giving ensure. I wonder if that will entice her to drink and give her some nutrients if she doesn't want to eat? I'd take her back in if she doesn't eat or even see interested by tomorrow. I hope she feels better soon