Rattie Health Update - Paw Talk

luvboyrats · #1 07-19-2007, 10:35 AM

Okay so a few days ago I got antibiotic for Remi's upper respiratory infection. He seems to feel better, not breathing quite as heavily, still making some squeaky noises but not nearly as many. He is making a lot of noises that sound like chewing on something hard with a few squeaks between the chewing sounds, but he's never chewing when I hear it. Is this bad or is this the bruxing I've heard so much about?

In the meantime his cage mate Emile has shown symptoms, but he seems to be recovering more quickly and never acted like he felt as bad as Remi did. Both are eating well, drinking lots of water and acting pretty active while I handle them and right after. My only concern is that now that I had to treat both with the antibiotic intended for one, I'm not sure I'll have enough for them both to get it for a full week. The last vet bill was $90 and I can't do that again, so I don't know what I'll do if I run out of medicine.

Vanilla_Rat · #2 07-20-2007, 12:49 AM

It sounds like it could be bruxing.

Does your vet do payment plans? Also to refill meds,your vet may not even charge you or will only charge you the price of the meds and not an exam fee.

My vets only charge the exam fee once and if I have to take a rat in continuesly,then they just charge me meds.However they also gave me meds for free for one rat who was on them for the remaining of her life.
So call your vet and ask them what happens when you have to get refills.

Skratikans · #3 07-20-2007, 08:49 AM

i agree with vanilla rat

mtmaughan · #4 07-20-2007, 09:39 AM

Here is a video of a rat bruxing. Hope this helps.

Elias the Rat, Bruxing

luvboyrats · #5 07-20-2007, 10:33 AM

I did manage to get a refill on meds without the exam fee. It was better, but it's still another $30 on top of a $90 vet bill and $150 spent on getting my new guys set up in a home with toys etc. about two weeks ago. Rats sure do get expensive for animals that cost about $8 to buy.

Last night when we gave them their medicine they were so much better. Climbing and playing in my hair and on my fiance and in their little cup towel (after all I spent on toys they spend most of their time in and out of the cage playing hide and seek and peekaboo in the folds of a raggety old cup towel). At first I was afraid that having to give them medicine would slow down the bonding process by having to hold them down and give medicine (they wouldn't take it mixed in various foods). But it actually seems to have done the opposite. It seems like they think, "well we're restrained and totally at her mercy and she's still not hurting us. I guess she's okay." They've really starting coming to me and wanting to cuddle and play with me and they're even taking food and treats out of my hand. Emile is such a sweetheart. He actually sticks his nose out from between the cage bars so that I will rub it. He just loves to have his nose and cheeks rubbed. In spite of the expense, they're great animals, and I'm so glad we have them.