Sick Rat!

[mtmaughan]

The other night, my rat Zorro started acting very strange, and I knew something was really wrong. I took him to the emergency vet at 2am. They said he has a severe respiratory infection, with fluid in his lungs. Two trips to the vet, three prescriptions, and $250 later, he seems much better. He is eating again and seems to be regaining his strength. I'm relieved, but I want to remain alert. Is there anything I should look out for while he's recovering?

[Vanilla_Rat]

Make sure he is taking his antibiotics.Signs of excessive sneezing,labored breathing or wheezing are not good.

[mulder]

whoa! best wishes dude! hope your little guy feels better soon!

[tarita2004]

hope he does well !

[mtmaughan]

Thanks everyone, for your concern. He is doing much better now and I'm making sure he gets all his meds on time. I think he will be fine!

-Mo

[uMgaziRatRescue]

Very good you got him vet care!!! (love that name btw ). Yep make sure he takes his meds . Just be on the look out like you were before.

[mtmaughan]

Zorro is getting some diarrhea now... I think it may be because he's been taking a diuretic to get the fluid out of his lungs. He's just finishing it up, though, so hopefully that's the reason and it will stop. I think I will call the vet to ask about it, but I really can't afford to take him back if it's something more serious.

[lilspaz68]

Sounds like Zorro needs some probiotics. Antibiotics (some more than others) kill the good bacteria (gut flora) as well as the bad bacteria. You need to help them replace it with probiotics.

You can give him live culture yogurt (but not within 2 hours of the meds), some powder from acidophilus caupsules sprinkled on food, or pick up Benebac from your petstore.

I normally give probiotics as soon as I start medicating. This should help the diarrhoea.

[mtmaughan]

His diarrhea has stopped, but the yogurt is probably a good idea anyway. I never thought of that! I will get some for him!

[APoetCalledAnya]

Good luck with him. I hope everything works out fine. Keep us posted.

[mebri123]

wow 250 on a sick rat.... wow... Thats spensive....... So far in the past 2 months I have spent 185 on my ferret..... eeeeek..... He is so cute and and has been wasting a bit....... I don't want to be without him...... I love his personality....

[lilspaz68]

Glad to hear Zorro's feeling better!!!

I have spent $321 for a tumour removal on one of my girls, then the surgery brought on stress-related Pyoderma. We battled that skin condition for 5 months, in the end it was around $800.00 I spent to save her life.

If you are curious about Pyoderma, Selene's now fat and famous on the ratguide. Graphic pics though...you have been warned.

Health Guide: Pyoderma Figure 4

I had a tumour removed from the cheek of an older male ($300+), and then he had bacterial infections in both his hind legs, and then 2 situations with his eye and went blind...he was an expensive rescue, but he lived to 38 months and very happily.

[Tammy Hubbard]

Zorro's be back to normal in no time.

[rodentz]

URIs are very common in rats, im really glad hes doing good on the meds!!

[Vanilla_Rat]

Unfortunatly they are very common!