I think the vet hurt my rat...Update (RIP Squeakers)

[tenthark]

I just got home from work and found little Squeakers dead.  Thank You for the suggestions.  She was a special little girl that had too short of a life.




Took my rat to the vet yesterday because I thought she had a urinary tract infection.  She constantly had pee and a white-ish fluid all over her area and lower abdomin.  I had to drop her off with them.  When I went to pick her up, I noticed that she was holding her rear funny.  Back was arched and she seemed to have no control of her back legs.  The vet assistant said that they did not think that she had a UI, but that they gave her a shot of baytril/b12.  OK.

Got her home and noticed that she was bleeding from the anus.  Took her back and they could give no explaiation for this.  Said that she was probably hurting from the shot, and that was why she was holding her rear like she was.

Bleeding has stopped, but she has steadily gone downhill since yesterday. Super lethargic and limp. She will not eat, she'll barely drink, and sleeps most of the time. Squeaks really bad anytime I pick her up.  She looks like one of my other rats did right before she died.  She'd had a baytril/b12 injection too.

Any thoughts about what is going on here.  I'm really worried and I don't know what to do.  I really have no trust in that vet any longer, but he is really the only one around here that will treat rats. 

Thanks!

[Lise]

First thing, a baytril injection only lasts for 12 - 24 hours.  If there was or is an infection going on, a single injection of baytril would not be enough to clear ANYTHING up.

At first I thought perhaps she was injured somehow during restraint, but the bleeding from the anus is really bizarre.  I don't know what could cause that.

Can you perhaps try calling around to every vet again, including regular dog/cat vets and asking if they would try treating rats?  Sometimes a vet who doesn't normally treat, but is willing to look up the information is really the best.  I wouldn't trust that vet, at all.

[JR1030]

My only thought is that they tried to take her temperature rectally, and shoved it way too far...maybe she jumped or something...and they just don't want to tell you.  I'd document everything that happens with her, and you really need to find another vet to look at her...you can't trust those first people anymore.  And ditto with the Baytril...if she's got an infection, she needs at least 3 weeks of daily Baytril to make any difference.

[Cigar]

JR1030's idea sounds likely.. you guys will be in my thoughts.

[tenthark]

Just wanted to say thanks again to those that posted.

Michael

[JR1030]

Oh, I'm so, so sorry about Squeakers.  I would venture to guess that if you got an autopsy on her, they'd find some intestinal damage.  I suppose it's possible that she had a bad uterine tumor or infection that ruptured all the way through her intestine...but I'm still suspicious of the vet.  Please find another vet for any of your other rats.  I'm so sorry. 

[baschlais]

I'm so very, very sorry to hear about Squeakers.  Keep her in your heart.
Brenda

[baileyjane]

I am so sorry to hear about your little girl. {{{HUGS}}}

[Dearpie]

*hugs*  I'm so very sorry for your loss.  I'd find a new vet.  I hope your heals soon.

[ratlets]

I know everyone's saying to find a new vet, but I'd confront the one that you think injured your rat.

I'm sorry for your loss

[JR1030]

I know everyone's saying to find a new vet, but I'd confront the one that you think injured your rat.

Maybe an official letter?  I don't know about most people, but if I tried to confront someone about something like this in person, I'd end up being a total, blubbering mess...which doesn't always command the most respect. 

[RavenNC]

I agree with the letter approach, definitely.  I've done that for a vet who missed a very basic diagnosis of over-grown teeth which resulted in over $600 in bills, and guinea pig in stasis who had to be hand-fed for weeks, and his eventual passing.  There was no way I was going to be able to discuss his gross incompetence in any kind of calm and rational way, so I sent a letter detailing my dissatisfaction.  The vet refunded what we'd paid them, and apologized for the "error" made in diagnosis.

I would also recommend trying to find out what really happened and letting the vet know in your letter what happened.  If nothing else, it may prevent them from repeating it with someone else's baby.

I'm so sorry you're going through this!   

[tenthark]

Still not sure what I'm going to do.  I do want to say Thank You to all for your kind thoughts and words. 

[Addicted2Rats]

You might want to contact AVMA about who you can notify about the death of your pet.  That way there's an official record of what happened.

Deb

[ratlets]

I'd still talk to the vet. You could be very wrong.

[RattieQuin]

I'm really sorry about your loss.  I lost a perfectly healthy, and my favorite, rat once due to incompetence at the vet and it was really painful. 
I would agree with everyone who says to find a new vet. You've already talked to them once and they didn't offer a very good explanation. That coupled with them not following through and prescribing baytril makes it seems like you might have a bad vet. You may not, but why chance it? Who cares if you offend the vet or the technician, your obligation is to the rats not them.  Also, you probably won't feel safe taking your rats their in the future and it's not fair to you to have unnecessary anxiety. 

Can I ask where you live.  If you live in my area I might want the name of the vet to know to avoid them myself.  Also, maybe someone could help you find another vet nearby.

Again, I'm really sorry. 

[reesesgma]

Im so sorry for this horribly tragic event. I hope you are doing ok. Many hugs your way....

[rodent_girl_1985]

I honestly wouldn't let this one go. You should write to the vet, or report him. One of my biggest regrets was not reporting my first vet. I had a young rat, Darcy, he had a slight URI. I took him to Banfied, a vets office that was located in the local Petsmart. The vet there put him on some meds that didn't help at all. Darcy just kept getting worse. It was so pitiful to watch. He kept losing weight, and was in really bad shape. I took him in one day, ready to put him to sleep, he was so dehydrated, but the vet said no he wanted to try him on meds that would pull the liquid out of his lungs. It didn't dawn on me at the time, but this was not something to give an animal that was already severely dehydrated. Darcy died two days later, unfortunately when I wasn't at home. I was new to rats at the time, and didn't know of any other vets in town that treated them. I wish I had called around and taken him somehwere else. I paid $180 to try to get him better, only to have some idiot kill him. I wish I had turned him in or done something, but it's too late now.

[ratlets]

Seriously.. talk to the vets before you go "reporting."  You could ruin someone's career and/or reputation over a misunderstanding.

[lilspaz68]

Could they have perforated her bowel taking her temp?    I would push to know why there was any bleeding from her anus.

I have never understood why vets will take the temp of a rat.