Somethings wrong with Speedy....

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

of course if her breathing improves when her stress level reduces (by being alone) then personally i would hold off any medications. ;)

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She seems to be a little bit better, not much. I have her in the bathroom with the shower running because she does sound a little congested, no runny nose or anything just kind of "chesty" I have put her favorite sweet treats in there but she has no interest yet. I am hoping with some rest and lots of love she will be back to herself in a few days.
I have gone and bought Snow a new home of her own, she has no signs what so ever of being sick, but think I will keep Speedy in the bathroom for a week just to be safe. I am concerned about the girls being "alone" now but do not want to bring in any new animals and am afraid of Snows agression towards other rats....she definitely seems happier by herself and spending time with me....is it normal for some rats to shun other rats and crave human attention??

yes it is. ratties, just like any other critter can be a loner... just like you can have one grumpy ball python when the rest are gentle.

i have one female breeder who is nasty... but a great breeder. she bites us when we go into the cage, beats up any cage mates... and yet is an excellent mother. we are 'rehoming' her after her next litter cause my 8 year old is sick of being bitten when she goes in to feed her.

you may just have a girl who wants/needs to live alone. i would (after this week) keep the cages close to each other so they can 'visit' if needed. ;)

keep us posted lisa. :hug:

Actually, with rats, when they start showing signs of illness(being a prey animal and all), it means they are going downhill pretty quickly and the disease has progressed enough that it is affecting their everyday life. Antibiotics need to be given as their lungs are easily scarred, creating breathing problems for the rest of their lives.

I've had rats be perfectly normal one day, and then the next day have a stroke and I find them in the bottom of the cage cold and barely breathing, with porph around their eyes and nose. I've saved them from pneumonia by taking them to the vet and putting them in an oxygen tank and doping them up with bronchodilators, steroids and antibiotics. It isn't anything to play with or take lightly.. A friend of mine spend over $1200 at the emergency vet to save one of her rats. Pnut had some vestibular issues as well as pneumonia, but she just couldn't get through it regardless of anything that was tried.

This is something that needs to be treated like a pneumonic condition. Get her through the weekend giving her alot of calories(Nutri-Cal gel is good for this, as are protein rich foods), and then get her to the vet.

But anyway! Off my soapbox. :)

And yes, some rats prefer to live alone. I have 2 sets of boys who prefer to be alone, one is by himself but likes interacting with me and the other had a brother(they are both 2-3 years old), but his brother passed away. He doesn't like human interaction so he just gets treats and lots of hammocks. I had one hairless boy, Sneezy, who hated other rats and would get very stressed being with them. He bulked up considerably and looked wonderful being alone. I took him out multiple times during the day and he ran errands with me.

After Speedy recovers, if she indeed does, I would consider getting her a younger friend or two(quarantined of course for a good month or two months). She'd probably enjoy the company.

becky i totally understand that some people are willing and able to spend $1200 on a pet... unfortunately though, not everyone has the ability or desire to do so. it's a personal decision.

if she's breathing better, i would say she is getting better... as stress can cause laboured breathing. if she doesn't get better... then a course of antibiotics would definitely be in order (if that's the route lisa chooses to go)

either way... i hope speedy is back up and speedy again soon :hug:

ok just snuck in from the party to check on her and she actually is not better...I can hear her breathing!!! I'm freaking here people...I have some cipro here that was for the little dogs can I give her like 1cc of it or not??

Speedy has taken a turn for the worse...bad....her breathing is very labored and I can hear her standing 3 feet away. I have gone I got her some tetricycline but I have a bad feeling she will not make it through the night:(
I am going to run the shower to steam her again..I am also treating Snow...Please keep Speedy in your thoughts and prayers....i sure do not want to lose her:(

:( I wish I knew some way to help. I hope she pulls through for you! :hug:

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Originally Posted by JLC

:( I wish I knew some way to help. I hope she pulls through for you! :hug:

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Thank you Judy!

sending healing reiki vibes their way... :hug: keep us posted lisa!

my dog died a few weeks ago, by a large tumor in her stomach. she started out looking very sad and not wanting to eat. she would perk up every few days, then go back to acting strangely. we finally got her to the vet, where we found a tumor the size of large potatoe chip bag. she died a month or so later. her breathing got very labored as this went on. the night we were going to get her put to sleep she died. i hope that you do not have to go through any of this, and that Speedy gets better. but as a precaution to all, if your dog and/or pet is acting sick, take them to the vet, before it gets to be too late. i hope that Speedy makes it. you and Speedy will be in my prayers!