Update on Apollo??

Oh no hun.  I'm so sorry.    You're in my thoughts. *hugs*

no one knows.. the vets had no idea and have never seen something like it

Could it be a blood clot?! *thinking*

I have heard of swelling from an allergic reaction (meds in one case...the rats tongue swelled up)

What about soaking it in epsom salts?  I've never used it with my rats but it mentions it in this article:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pet-Rats-3537/2008/6/Rat-foot-swollen.htm

The photo they show looks similar... 

what are the chances of a stroke? I took him outside with me and he poo for the first time in hours but it was a nasty hard poo that was black. I am pulling shadow. When shadow was ill i had her with me 24/7 and i carried her in my  sweatshirt pocket. I am going to treat it like a stroke. It possiable if you take out the feet factor

any good news? no.. internal bleeding.. stroke..poor boy

yep he is good. I did get him to take baby food, but he isn't going to the bathroom so i think I'll give him pure pumpkin to soften anything and help clear up his system.  He looks better but his breathing is really my consurn. He is making a deep moment to breath and it follows to his head  moving back and forth. He is trying so hard to breath you can see his chest going up and down. On a good note the swelling in his feet went down and they don't look blue or feel hot.

 I hope he  makes it, i have cried my eyes out for him. Its just been so sudden and he is maybe a year old. Healthy one week and the next he is close to death.. i don't understand.

I'm wondering if this is kidney-related?  If his kidneys weren't working properly, fluid would accumulate in his body due to lack of urination and possibly cause his feet to swell.  Also, since the kidneys control metabolic acid balance, if that's not working properly, you can see changes in respiration as the body tries to compensate.  And the vomiting type behavior could be caused by nausea as toxins are starting to build up in his blood.

Deb

I can't remember now but is he on pain meds?  That breathing sounds pain-related.

I signed on to check and see how Apollo is doing today. I am thinking about both of you 

Hang in there, Apollo

R.I.P Apollo

 i went to casey first to make sure and he told me it was his heart failing. The doctor said the same and said we can try meds.. i said no.. no more pain.
 I would never put any of my animals through so much pain just keep them alive  for me. I gave him the last gift i could give. A PEACFUL DEATH.. WITH NO PAIN...