Timmy - using his hands again!

[mia9_28]

Well, I finally decided to make a thread about Timmy's progress (or not so much).

Some of you already know that we almost lost Timmy the other night.
BananaClic found him walking weirdly so she took him out of the cage. He had bled from one of his eyes and his nose. He couldn't walk much, drooled and layed on his side without moving. I gave him some Metacam that I had on hand and made him all comfy with a blanket. We syringed fed him all night. His hands and feet were stretched out, which made it seem like a pituitary tumor. It seemed like we were going to lose him that night as he wasn't moving and was getting a little colder. But then hours later he recovered a little and tried to walk a bit.

Here are some pictures and a video I took when we found him:

That was a couple of days ago and he's still alive today... but it seems like the damage was permanent and all he does is sleep all day, He can't use his hands but can eat lab block mush and Ensure. I still give him Metacam once a day.

I also have Baytril on hand... should I give him some?

Should I consider euthanizing him as he has no quality of life left and his condition isn't getting any better as days go by?
He's pretty much vegetable...

 

[hopefloats]

it does looks bad. I dont think baytril would help that. He seems pretty bad off. I am sorry. I wish it was a better outcome.

 

[mia9_28]

I'll post a video of what he's like today.

 

[lilspaz68]

Someone poke me to watch the videos when I get home tonight?

 

[jorats]

I was wondering what happened to Timmy. If he's still the same way as how you described us in chat, I would most likely have him pts. He's not getting better and I bet it's a pt after all.
Poor little Timmy.

 

[mia9_28]

I was wondering what happened to Timmy. If he's still the same way as how you described us in chat, I would most likely have him pts. He's not getting better and I bet it's a pt after all.
Poor little Timmy.

He's better than the first night. He can't use his hands... but he can still walk just enough to get around. It's just sad to see him like that... and he's definitely unhappy.

and I'm up for getting him pts.. but he's not my rat, he's BananaClic's rat. (but I take care of the 5 rats we have between the two of us)
so it's her that has the final word. I talked to her about it and told her to think about it.

I hope that if she reads this thread (which I will make her), it'll make up her mind about having him pts..

 

[mia9_28]

Here are some recent pictures:

Loving his berry Ensure

Where he spends his whole day

I'll post the video here once it's uploaded (very slow internet)

 

[mia9_28]

Here's the video. I gave him a cheerio and let him walk around a little bit to show you guys.

 

[hopefloats]

that is sad. He cannot use his hand to eat. I would have to go towards PT and not a stroke for some reason. I would be worried he would choke eating like that. It is odd because he can walk though. He seems a bit better. just the eating is worrisome

 

[mamarat]

Poor baby, he does look like he has trouble swallowing. It does look like the end stage of PT.

 

[SQ]

Pred sometimes helps reduce the symptoms of pt by reducing swelling.
Pred may also help rats who have had a stroke.
If pred is given, an antibiotic must also be given.

I'm not sure why he doesn't have much use of his front legs & paws, and they seem weak.
He doesn't seem to have the symptoms my rats have displayed with pt.

If he is in pain and nothing can be done, then it is likely time

 

[mia9_28]

He doesn't seem to be in pain.. just miserable. :/

I'm gonna talk to the vet tomorrow about getting him pts.

 

[lilspaz68]

That does look like PT. Poor love.

 

[SQ]

Many rats with limited mobility do very well and have good lives if given the supportive care they need
With pt some people try pred and/or dex to see if it wiill give their rattie some good quality time.

You will know when it is time ....

 

[hopefloats]

so it is normal for him to walk ok but not be able to hold food? i was expecting his front legs to not work right at all or something

 

[lilspaz68]

PT is ultimately fatal BUT You could definitely try oral pred, it might give him a lovely reprieve with you. He's at a stage where he might come back with the steroid shrinking the tumour pressing on his brain.

If your vet is willing, ask for a shot of dexamethasone to kick off his therapy, and get baytril and prednisone or prednisolone for giving at home. You should see a difference with the dex shot within 24-36 hours sometimes less, the oral pred often takes a lot longer.

 

[mia9_28]

PT is ultimately fatal BUT You could definitely try oral pred, it might give him a lovely reprieve with you. He's at a stage where he might come back with the steroid shrinking the tumour pressing on his brain.

If your vet is willing, ask for a shot of dexamethasone to kick off his therapy, and get baytril and prednisone or prednisolone for giving at home. You should see a difference with the dex shot within 24-36 hours sometimes less, the oral pred often takes a lot longer.

Yeah, that's the problem.. my vet is totally clueless about PT, and wont take my advise at all.
Also, she doesn't have any of those steroids on hand. She would need to order them. (How convenient...)
And the last problem is money issues. I just had to bring Deno for an ear infection... and it's already hard as a student.

 

[lilspaz68]

PT is ultimately fatal BUT You could definitely try oral pred, it might give him a lovely reprieve with you. He's at a stage where he might come back with the steroid shrinking the tumour pressing on his brain.

If your vet is willing, ask for a shot of dexamethasone to kick off his therapy, and get baytril and prednisone or prednisolone for giving at home. You should see a difference with the dex shot within 24-36 hours sometimes less, the oral pred often takes a lot longer.

Yeah, that's the problem.. my vet is totally clueless about PT, and wont take my advise at all.
Also, she doesn't have any of those steroids on hand. She would need to order them. (How convenient...)
And the last problem is money issues. I just had to bring Deno for an ear infection... and it's already hard as a student.

Then cuddle him, and handfeed him for a little while then let him go. I am sorry.

 

[mia9_28]

PT is ultimately fatal BUT You could definitely try oral pred, it might give him a lovely reprieve with you. He's at a stage where he might come back with the steroid shrinking the tumour pressing on his brain.

If your vet is willing, ask for a shot of dexamethasone to kick off his therapy, and get baytril and prednisone or prednisolone for giving at home. You should see a difference with the dex shot within 24-36 hours sometimes less, the oral pred often takes a lot longer.

Yeah, that's the problem.. my vet is totally clueless about PT, and wont take my advise at all.
Also, she doesn't have any of those steroids on hand. She would need to order them. (How convenient...)
And the last problem is money issues. I just had to bring Deno for an ear infection... and it's already hard as a student.

Then cuddle him, and handfeed him for a little while then let him go. I am sorry.

It's what I've been doing. :heart:

 

[mia9_28]

He is doing better today, actually pretty active.
Although, he still can't use his hands.

I have an appointment to get him pts on Tuesday, but we're reconsidering seeing as he's doing better and might still be able to live a happy life even if he has to be hand fed everyday.