two rats to the vet, need advice asap

[Petunia]

i'm taking the two rats that I am sitting to the vet
this vet is known for doing all sorts of diagnostics, etc that may not be completely necessary (but who can argue about tests, right?) to pad the bill

since these are not my rats I need to keep the bill down to only what is truly necessary

what diagnostics are not really needed for a rat who is sneezing and another one who was being treated for a URI but only got 10 days worth of Baytril prescribed?

 

[jorats]

He might want to do X-rays which is not entirely a bad thing but expensive and not really necessary when you can just get the meds anyways. I wouldn't do any blood work.
Get the vet to listen to the lungs and dispense meds if necessary. You might also mention that 10 days wasn't enough, that it came back.

 

[crumbilina]

I agree with Jo

For a URI, I always try meds first. I don't know why anything else would be done unless all combos were exhausted and the rat was getting worse.

Are you in contact with the "owners" (lack of a better word) so you can ask them what they want to do or even call them from the clinic?

Good luck!

 

[Petunia]

ok thanks'
I have put a call into the family and left a message telling them what was going on, and what I planned to do and to call me if they had any objections, since calling from London is very expensive

before they left, we discussed all this and wrote down what they wanted done etc, and said they pretty much trusted my judgement

Hal was on baytril for 10 days and he's got a porphy nose and poufs up a lot, but then, he just lost his lady friend Peri so he's a very upset little boy

I thought it was Hal sneezing all night but it turns out it's Niko (or possibly both of them, although I've not witnessed Hal sneezing yet but he does have some funny snorting coming from him when he's asleep- could just be the way he was sleeping?)

I am going to pay for Hal to be seen because I'm bringing him in more for my benefit, than anything else. I am worried, after losing Peri, and I don't want to take any chances that something awful like that happens again to another one of these guys
That would be too much for this poor family!

Niko already had a porphy eye before she got here, but that came and went and she's older (28 mos) and no one was too concerned but now with the sneezes, she really needs a vet and I'm sure her family would agree on that
They are head over heels in love with this little girl and with good reason, she's just a doll!
I know they would want me to do whatever was necessary for her.

So Hal is iffy, more of a judgement call on my part and from being unnerved by the loss of one rat - even though I'm fairly sure there wasnt' anythign I could have done for her

I'm still quite shaken up and need to try to regain some confidence, the rats will pick up on my anxiety and thats not good for anyone, esp not them

 

[jorats]

Keep in mind that these rats are in a "new home" and so it could be new home sneezes. The porphyrin can also be due to stress of being in a new place.
But, it's good to get a good listen to the lungs.

 

[Petunia]

Keep in mind that these rats are in a "new home" and so it could be new home sneezes. The porphyrin can also be due to stress of being in a new place.
But, it's good to get a good listen to the lungs.

yes, I know, so I'm trying to stay calm about that

They have actually been fine up to now, there was no stress and no signs of any issues til after Peri passed away

they were happy go lucky little bubs and now between losing their buddy and me a nervous wreck, they are a bit stressed

I"m doing my best to stay as calm as i can
, though

 

[temblabamomo]

they were happy go lucky little bubs and now between losing their buddy and me a nervous wreck, they are a bit stressed

I"m doing my best to stay as calm as i can
, though

:hugs: The family trusts your judgment, I'm sure they would not want you being so stressed over their rats. I agree that a good listen should be all that's needed. X-rays are helpful, but it sounds more like the new home sneezes and the 10 day meds were definitely not enough.

 

[SQ]

Listen to the lungs/breathing ...
If a problem with breathing, then antibiotic like baytril + ______ (doxy or zithro)
and treat for 6 weeks if the antibiotics are helping

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Good luck with them!

 

[Unepuce]

How are the boys doing now?