sick rat! A little history, what I've researched, the symptoms, and what I've done thus far.?
About me and my rats, I’m 26, a huge animal lover, and a first time rat owner. I initially only wanted to get one rat but after some research, I learned that rats are social animals and being a solo rat can be very depressing for a rattie. So I opted to get two from the same age range. Solene was my first purchase along with another rattie. But the other did not seem to be very fond of me infact she was a biter. She would even bite Solene. So the biter was returned and exchanged for a more docile and friendly rat. Enter Lossette. after a week, I went to the pet shop to buy a new toy for my babies. When I went, the pet shop owner was trying to talk a customer out of purchasing a tiny little rattie because they intended to use her for snake food. This little rattie was a light brown hooded rattie. My heart went out to her and I purchased her and added her to the family. My son named her Nova. They reside in a 4 level rat manor, their bedding is a concoction of aspen shavings, recycled paper bedding fluff, and recycled paper pellets. The have plenty of chew sticks, an exercise wheel, two water bottles (One for each floor), and a clear running ball for trips outside the cage to play with the cat without being eaten (LOL) It’s been nearly 3 weeks since that wonderful day when they all were settled in with our family, and my three girls have been best of friends and the love of life (Next to my son, of course). Solene (3 month old Albino Fancy), Lossette (2 month old Albino Fancy), and Nova (1 month old Brown Hooded fancy)….
But for the past 2 days, Lossette has become very lethargic, she seems to be eating less and less, and there is a more prominent discharge of red fluid from her nose and eyes. I know that the discharge is supposed to be normal in rats, but this seems like a lot and I’m beginning to speculate that it may infact be blood. Also, I know that rats are prone to a respiratory infection called Mycoplasmosis (or something like that) and there is now a rasping to her breathing. She has become very thin to the point I can feel her spine and ribs when I hold her. And that’s not a good sign in ANY animal. I feel horrible for not seeing the thinning sooner. When Lossette first came into my life, I noticed her raspy breathing and my vet prescribed Baytril. She seemed to recover but now, she looks terrible.
To try and fatten her up, I have concocted a meal for her to feed by plastic syringe. A mashed banana, some watered down apple juice, a pinch of sugar, and a crushed rat food pellet. The banana for the protein and potassium, the apple juice for the energy boost and immunity assistance, the sugar also for energy, and the pellet for everything else I know she needs in her diet. I have been giving her a feeding session every two hours trying to give her at least 4ml each feeding. I don’t want to over feed her because I know that could do more harm than good, so I’m doing the small feedings to keep from over stretching her stomach. I am also making an effort to keep her warm by giving her a terry cloth wash rag to snuggle into at night.
I know the typical response would be "Take her to the vet". Well no duh, people, I’m not stupid. The symptoms set in friday night, after the vet clinic was closed, and there’s no emergency clinic that cares for exotics. I’ve already taken that into consideration. Infact, my vet is the ONLY vet in my town that cares for exotics. Another issue is that I dont get paid until This upcomming friday. I have a whole week to wait before I can pay a vet for their services. (All though, I plan to call and see if they will allow a payment plan given Lossette’s situation)
What I am asking, is there anything else I can do for her in the mean time, to keep her well, warm, and alive?
If you choose to answer, PLEASE dont respond to me like I’m an incompetent child.
Filed under: Potassium Side Effects
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it sounds like your ratty is having either a severe myco flare-up, a respiratory infection that didn’t clear up with just baytril, or possibly even pneumonia.
you need to get her to a vet tomorrow if possible. maybe since you know your vet they will let you pay in a few days rather than right off? i’m telling you, if you wait until friday, your rat may die. i’m not saying that to sound mean, just trying to warn you. these types of illnesses progress extremely fast in rats. a few days can mean life or death.
how long was she on the baytril for? sometimes they simply aren’t on it long enough, so the resp. infection comes back with a vengeance right after they come off the baytril. for a nasty infection, a 30-day course of baytril plus another antibiotic (like doxycycline) may be in order. the vet may also want to prescribe a steroid (like prednisolone).
you’re right in trying to give her soft foods. when rats are sick, they often do not want to sit around munching on their usual hard foods. you can also try yogurt, or even baby food.
also, put her water bottle or water dish literally right next to wherever she’s sleeping so she doesn’t have to walk far to drink (same thing with food dish).
also, the red you see around her eyes and nose is not blood– this is called porphyrin. a little bit of this is normal in rats, but excessive amounts are indeed indicative of illness (such as myco flare-up or resp infection), which is why i think your rat is experiencing the illnesses i suggested.
i’ve had rats deal with these symptoms. i’ve treated a few successfully with antibiotics and lost one because the infection spread. i hope your vet will work with you on the bill and still see you tomorrow.
one more thing– i have a VERY thin rat as well. she came down with a breathing illness when she was a year old and began losing weight. every time we took her off antibiotics, she regressed back to being sick again. it was finally determined she had a chronic breathing issue that was actually similar to a rat version of asthma. as such, she is on an antibiotic and prednisolone FOR LIFE. it’s been 6 months now and she’s doing marvelous. she’s still thin but she’s fine as long as she gets her medicines. so if you notice that the infection keeps coming back this might be the type of illness your girl has (my vet called it reactive airway disease but it may have another name), and she may just need medicines for the duration of her life. not likely, but figured i’d mention it.
good luck to you and your little ratty.