pacapps

Hi All,

Desperate plea for help.

May male rat (Sauron) began treatment for an inner war infection on the 17
Wednesday.he was given a anti inflammatory / steroid injection (should last
5 days) and I was told to continue the anti biotic that I had him on.

Friday night / Saturday morning he had lost a lot more co ordination so I
took back to the vets and they gave him another anti inflam / steroid (3day)
and put on baytril. I was told to return on Monday, last night (Saturday) he
was eating the infasoy (soy / soya based - I am told this is very good for
rats that are not eating properly). that I had placed in his cage. This
morning and all day he is hardly moving.

His legs have become more rigid (tumor?) however he still has responses in
his legs and will move them back to the normal position if he receives
stimuli to his feet. He does attempt to wash himself and will like my hands
when I am feeding him (affection or enjoying the food?)

He is taking infasoy through a syringe, laps it up when placed into his
mouth.

My question.

Could this still be an inner ear infection?

If not what is the point of "no-return" with regards to when steroids and
antibiotic cannot bring him back to a point where he has quality of life.

Luckily he is not showing signs of a build up of fluid in his lungs so I
think he is breathing correctly.

I have an appointment with my vet tomorrow evening (17:50) and I know that
they are going to say Put him to sleep. I have though about that to day, but
its never an easy decision to make. I am an eternal optimist and would like
to think I could bring him back to a point where he has quality of life.

Any help / advice gratefully received.

Paul

jackie

I would say it is the Pitutory Tumor. It always seems to get their legs and
their coordination.
Is he fitting or is he just lying still except for the occasional twitch?
It is horrible not to know what it is and to try and keep them comfortable,
but there is always some hope with meds.
But at the end of the day you will know when the time is right to let him
go.
Healing cuddles and kisses to your little soldier.
--
Jackie - Jorja and Texas <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and
Wilbur.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9

pacapps

Hi,

He is just twictching occasionally. Have had a rat with the P tumor before
and by the time he got to this stage he was showing signs of pneumonia and
not taking any food or meds from me. When I fuss him he brusks and boggles.
Still licks mt had and nibble, although the nibbles are starting to be as
hard as bites.

Will see how he is tomorrow when we go to the vets, if he isn't to bad will
push for some preds rather than the injections, teh last rat who had a tumor
seemed to do quite well for a few weeks on them.

Only prob is the vet we had then is no longer there and although the vet who
recently remove a foot for my girl friends rat the vets we have are not
brilliant.

Thanks for tthe kind words.

Paul & Sauron

jackie

My Wilfy had Pitutory Gland and his back legs went first then he started
fitting and after a while they got worse, he would bite hard, right down to
the bone. But he was sweetheart and I must admit even though I cried when I
had him PTS I knew I was doing the right thing as he was fitting right
through the 12 mile journey to the Vets, I don't think he knew anything that
was going on. Like I said before healing Cuddles and kisses to him.
--
Jackie - Jorja and Texas <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and
Wilbur.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9

jackie

How did you get on at the Vets?
--
Jackie - Jorja and Texas <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and
Wilbur.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9

pacapps

When I awoke for his 5:30 feed he had deteriated. Having trouble breathing,
So I took him to the vets at 9:40 this morning. I did the only thing that I
could to ease his suffering and had him PTS.

It has broken my heart, but I know it was the right think to do.

I held him whilst the 1st injection knocked him out and then whilst the vet
gave him the fatal does into the heart I was stroking his cheeks (just like
he went mad for) and talking to him and telling him that I loved him.

My two remaining rats (Ra and Hades) are not sure what has happened but they
have known that something was wrong for days.

They had only known him about 5 weeks. I only got these 2 to keep him
company (not that I would be parted with them) after he started to mope 8
weeks after losing his cage mate. (Unknown cause)

Just have to arrange the cremation now, that will be another heart wrencher,
as it always is, that final final goodbye. He will be placed in the same
casket as Radagast (his cage mate) and they will both sit on the shelf with
my 5 others that have gone before him.

Thanks for your concern.
a very sad Paul, Ra and Hades

jackie

Oh sweetheart I am so sorry. Words cannot help. But as always cuddles and
Kisses.
--
Jackie - Jorja and Texas <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and
Wilbur.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9

kate

My thoughts are with you Paul. What a lovely thing you have done for
your Ratty Man. It may not feel like it at the moment but you have set
him free from suffering. He will be quite happy now hanging out with a
lot of others who have gone before.. May the coming days bring you
lots of happy memories and lots of scritches to Ra and Hades they will
be feeling a bit lost at the moment too.

Kind regards Kate


--
Today I may meet with injustice, ignorance, denial, all of which are due
entirely to the other's lack of knowledge of good and evil and the
difference thereof.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ollieogg

joanne

I'm so very sorry Paul...

--
Joanne
Owned by 20 rats.
Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

-------------------------------------------------------
~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning*

tracey

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your little one. I know how hard it
is taking them to be pts, but it was the right thing to do and now Sauro is
at peace. He had a good life full of love and happiness with you, he
couldn't have asked for more.

Tracey