My Beau is really sick.

[Sabriel]

He's having the absolute worst time breathing. When I pick him up his fur is all puffed up, and he is really limp. He usually gets very tense when I pick him up. I got him to eat a bit of Ghirardelli chocolate, and he ate some of his regular food too. I'm gonna go steam him right now. Beau is my old boy with the two tumors. I hope he's gonna be okay, but it's been my experience that older rats with respiratory infections don't usually make it. :::sigh::: To make matters worse, I *have* to leave the house soon. I really want to take him with me, but do you think that'll make him too stressed out?

[NatalieJ]

Sorry to hear about your rattie, Sabriel.  Our beige self (Cuddles, in my pic to the left) was not feeling good a while ago.  He's fine now, though.  Wonder if he got a bad yogurt drop?  

Give your rattie a scritch for me, and extra treats, if he enjoys them.

[Ensie]

I hope your rat gets better!   I know what you're going through. I've been there myself. Can you get him to the vet quickly? It seems like the warning signs -- puffy furr, lack of energy/listlessness, not eating, weakness-- are there that something is seriously wrong. I would love it if I'm wrong on that one, but I wouldn't take any chances. Hopefully, your vet is rat-friendly and rat-knowledgeable. You can look up the referral list to vets on this site. (I actually found my vet awhile ago, but I was very pleased to see him listed on the vet referrals.) I will keep you and your precious one in my thoughts.

[Yresim]

If you have an emergency vet in the area, I recommend that you go there now.  

Otherwise, pick up some KMR to sustain him, and spend as much time with him as possible.  

As for whether or not to take him with you, it depends on where you are going.  If you are going to the store, then leave him at home.  If you are going to a close friend's house, and will be able to care for him, take him with you.  Travel is stressful on rats (especially sick ones), and you shouldn't take him with you unless you will be able to care for him a great deal while you are out.  

If at all possible, cancel your plans.  You *can* call in sick to work for a day, if that is where you are going.  There is nothing that says you MUST leave.  Please re-think your situation.  Don't do what I did years ago, or you will regret it.

[Sabriel]

I brought him here with me.  Unfortunately, I have to work on a big project that is due tomorrow.  Beau's been sleeping on my lap, and I've been feeding him some yummy treats such as nutracal and applesauce.  Yresim, I saw that you mentioned KMR...I have some of their kitten weaning formula at home.  Should I try to get him to eat some of that when I get back?  I also have baby food that I could try too.  He is eating his normal food too, but it seems to take all of his energy sitting up to eat.  Man, his breathing is really labored.    I hope he can hang on long enough for the Baytril to start working.  Thanks for everyone's help and good wishes!

[Grace Jr]

He's having the absolute worst time breathing. When I pick him up his fur is all puffed up, and he is really limp. Beau is my old boy with the two tumors.

Abbie sounds like your situation.  She had a tumor, and last night she started having trouble breathing.  Her fur was puffy, and she was real lethargic.  She was in the vets today, adn what happened was the tumor had spread to her lungs.  Hopefully, your sdituation isn't as bad as that, but please try and get him to the vets as soon as you can, even if it means an emergency vet.

[Sabriel]

For tonight, should I put him back in his cage with all 4 of his buddies, or put him and Peanut (his son ~ they are very close) in a separate cage?

[Dimi]

Aww, I'm sorry. I hope your rat will be ok.

[Joe]

For tonight, should I put him back in his cage with all 4 of his buddies, or put him and Peanut (his son ~ they are very close) in a separate cage?

  If I were in your situation, I'd probably sit up with him...
  But if you have to put him back in a cage, put him in one alone. As much as I'm sure you'd hate t do this, it's the best thing for him. Peanut would probably want to play with him, and that would definately not be a good thing right now.
  Good luck. Rattie hugs and kisses from everyone here!

[Dearpie]

aww I'm sorry to read about your rattie.  

I think that to separate him totally would stress him out even more.  Rats are very intuitive and Peanut would most likely be a greater source of comfort to him than anything (besides you).  You may not be able to sleep too soundly and in your waking times, just be sure to cuddle him when you can.  

[Sabriel]

When I got up to give Beau his Baytril this morning, he wouldn't swallow it.    Last night he practically attacked the syringe.  So, I ran him in to the vet.  They gave him an oxygen treatment, and they're going to put him on an injectable antibiotic and get some SQ fluids into him.  The antibiotic is called something like Nexell.  I'm not sure if I spelled it right, but has anyone heard of it?  I had to leave him at the office, but if he improves by tomorrow I get to bring him home.  I hope he's not too scared.  Poor guy's had a hard life.  He's had at least three different homes, and was even dumped outside at one point.  Then he developed two tumors and now pneumonia.  I've worked so hard this last 3 1/2 months to gain his trust.  Now, he'll even give me kisses every once in a while.    I really hope he pulls through this.  Thanks for all of your help and support.

[rogermerriman]

I would put him in with Peanut. A while back when one of the two old boys ( JO ) was ill, his friend Tom was very good with him, even cared for him when I was not around.

[scout]

I've got my fingers crossed for Beau. I'll send him some healing energy, too.

[Sabriel]

The vet tech called last night and said that Beau had improved just a little. He has been gromming himself a bit, and he ate 3cc of baby food. They were still putting him on oxygen on and off.

This morning the vet called and said that the antibiotic didn't seem to be working well enough, so he switched antibiotics this morning. He's still on oxygen when he needs it, and they'll know in 24 hours whether the new antibiotic is working. He said that Beau seems to be comfortable. He's still eating when they hand feed him, and when he sleeps it seems to be a peaceful sleep.

Thanks so much for all of the good wishes.  I want him to come home!

[JulesDoug]

Paws crossed...do keep us posted..we are thinking of you.

[Jodi]

Very best wishes for you and Beau, Honey! You know, I lost my Milo rather suddenly not long ago, and when Bailey also started having gasping breaths, I was so scared I was going to lose him, too. I got him in right away, and they immediately put him on oxygen. He was already on a course of Baytril at the time, and when I noticed his distress, I dosed him with prednisone and terbutalene, then took him to the vet. They said the meds were the right call, and the only thing left for them to do was to put him in the oxygen tank for an hour or two. They did, and the improvement was dramatic! I'm convinced the oxygen saved his life that night, and now he's getting over his infection symptoms and is doing really well.

Thank heavens for the wonderful vets who understand our love for our ratties! Hopefully the meds and oxygen will be just what Beau needs to pull through this. Hugs and best wishes to you both!

[Teresa]

Please let us know how Beau is doing.  I've been hoping to hear he is allright.

keeping good thoughts......
Teresa

[Sabriel]

I talked to the vet about Beau yesterday. He had been on oxygen all day. Yesterday afternoon, they anesthetized him and tube fed him. They can't get him to eat much food even when they hand feed him, and he's using up all of his energy. If he doesn't get better by tomorrow the vet said that we will probably have to discuss euthanasia.    It's so hard, but it's not fair to make my poor Beau suffer like this.  He's had a hard enough life as it is.

We definitely have SDA on our hands, and Peanut is going downhill too.  I'll probably end up taking him to the vet tomorrow to stay with them.  His color is getting bad, and he's hasn't been eating (though he did eat a piece of watermelon a few moments ago).  I've been having trouble getting his meds down him too.  He has swollen areas around his throat, and I think that they may be making it a lot harder for him.  

Thanks so much for your concern.  It means so much to me right now!  12 sick rats are a lot of work, and I'm trying hard not to get discouraged.

[Sabrina]

::BIG hugs::

I'm so, so sorry to hear about Beau and Peanut.  I send you all my best, and I really hope they get better soon.  Everyone else has given you great advice... just know I'm sending you lots of love.

Sabrina
and Ellie

[Yresim]

Oh, no!  Are all twelve of your rats sick?  I'm so sorry!  

[Sabriel]

Oh, no!  Are all twelve of your rats sick?  I'm so sorry!  

Yeah.    It's horrible.  Some are better than others, but a couple of them are not doing well at all.