Noel is not feeling well

One of my new blue hoodeds is more sneezy (and starting to sound congested) than I prefer, and it's clear she's not feeling well. We're off to the vet now - wish us well. I will mention to him that I have others, perhaps he'll prescribe some extra antibiotic as preventative measures for the others (who knock on wood are not sneezy).

Ironic that it's been 14 days (exactly the length of the health guarantee by PetSmart) since I purchased her.

I adore her, so if she can be helped, it's worth it to me to take her in and get her treated. If he thinks she's in full blown myco, I may have her put down.

Updates later.

Aww, got my fingers crossed for you and your ratties Robin.

I sure hope that Noel can be fixed up with some meds. I know how excited you were to find her. Let us know how the vet visit goes. :hug:

Well, he had an emergency come in, so we got seen an hour after our appointment. Both of them are on doxycycline, Noel on .075 cc 2 x a day, and Holly on .10 cc 2 x a day orally for 21 days. Smells sweet, and they did ok taking their first dose with me when I got home - only the numbers have come right off the syringe!!! GAH! I know that .10 cc is a little less than the size of the plunger, so I may stop by the pharmacy tomorrow to see if I can pick up some more.

I asked him, did he think she should be put down with her congestion, and he said "NO! I don't ever like to see a good rat put down, and I think you caught it time". I asked if we should preventatively treat the others and he said he doesn't like to treat with no symptoms. Holly's being treated because she's slightly sneezy and shares quarters with Noel.

We also talked about snakes (he insists on me bringing Winston in for him to admire when he arrives), and he was amazed that none of my guys fast. He had one ball python when he was in college that fasted, and most of his clients' major complaints are of fasting. We both moaned and groaned about the pet store where we buy feeders, and he understood why I'm breeding my own - it's the only place locally that sells chinchilla food for his chin, so he has to go there too.

So then we discussed that there would come a day when breeders would have to be humanely euthanized as they neared the end of their lives, or if they developed cancer and he told me that he wouldn't charge me anything to do so.

I love this vet - he never charges me an office visit for the wellness exams I take all my new CH aquisitions to, and he charged me $15 to see both rats (rather than their normal $50 - which I was prepared to pay today) and $8 for the medicine. There's lots of it, so I might have to consult Ms. Becky on recommended dosages if any of the other kids get sneezy.

Both girls are settled in and enjoying some of their dinner right now.

oh good! i'm so glad things went well, and you have a good vet.

She sounds like an easy fix. I've had some so bad off they were open-mouth breathing, had pneumonia, and I still brought 'em back.

I'd be wary of just using the doxy, as it doesn't have good effects on the myco bacteria(suppressing it). If they don't show improvement within 1-2 days, I would recommend adding some Baytril with the doxy. Baytril/Doxy is a good combo and will knock out most infections.

Just watch them and if they don't get any better soon, take them back and he should prescribe Baytril. It's the best possible thing for fighting myco-based infections.

I'm glad to hear they have an excellent chance for recovery.

That's good news, and the vet is absolutely TO DIE FOR! You lucky girl.

Oh excellent news Robin! We should all be so blessed to have a great vet like you do hon. Hope the ratties are all feeling better soon!

So, Noel has not been making much improvement after 2 days of doxycillan, so I called Dr. C today and told him she was coughing more and almost acting drunk when she walked, which really concerned me. He has added Baytril to her treatment in conjunction with the doxy. She's getting .5 cc of Baytril and .075 cc of doxy twice a day. Holly's getting it too, but she just has the occassional snuffle here and there and much stronger than Noel.


I'm hoping to see some improvement, she's really a sweetie, but my gosh - trying to get a squirming rat to take .50 cc of medicine is not fun! And you can't just shoot it all down her throat, since they don't have a gag reflex and I don't want to choke her.

I'll let you guys know how she does!

Aww, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her Robin.

I'm not sure how a rat's throat works Robin but having given oral meds to squirming pets and kids over the years I do know that one good trick is to angle the syringe to the right or left and short of shoot it at their cheek so it trickles down the throat rather than going directly at it.

poor noel! i really hope this works and she starts feeling better. can you mix the meds with something tasty to help administer it? i think i remember reading somewhere that mixing it with some tapioca pudding works well a lot of the time...

*EDIT: ah ha! http://ratguide.com/meds/basics/giving_medications.php
not sure where i came up with tapioca pudding but there are some good recommendations on that page. :)

Awww....sure hope that Noel gets better soon!

Bless her heart, she's the sweetest thing in the world, but I am concerned about that head tilt she's got going on now(although Diamond does the same with an ear infection). She doesn't exactly walk straight, but there seemed to be less couging this morning before I gave her, her morning meds. She's getting lots of extra snuggles for sure (after all the others have been handled first, of course). I noticed the head tilting Wednesday night (she saw Dr. C on Tuesday).

could the walking like she is drunk be attributed to an ear infection? i know for people at least that can throw off your equilibrium...

OK, I googled and found this information. Oh Becky - should her Doxy and Baytril help the head tilting if it's an ear infection?

Quote:

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What is head tilt?

Head tilt is also known as "Wry Neck Syndrome" and is really one symptom for several possible diseases.





Other symptoms may include:

• Leaning to one side
• Walking in circles (and difficulty walking a straight line)
• Difficulty maintaining balance, and rolling to one side

Possible diseases include a bacterial infection of the ear/inner ear, pituitary tumor, and stroke. The most common is an ear infection. Infections can be controlled with antibiotics, and corticosteroids are often used to reduce inflammation and swelling, to control symptoms. If you suspect that your rat has a head tilt, see your veterinarian as prompt treatment is crucial for a complete recovery. However, keep in mind that some red or pink eyed rats sometimes "sway" due to their poor eyesight. It's not head tilt, it is nearsightedness.

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Just an update - we still have 2 weeks and 3 days to go of antibiotics - I hope Noel, Holly and I survive it! :rolleyes:


This evening, no more coughing from Ms. Noel - but a few sneezes and a wee bit of congestion that I can hear. All sneezing is gone from Ms. Holly.

Bless their little hearts, despite having yucky medicine squirted into their mouths twice a day, they still come up and greet me and ask to be held.

Noel still has a little bit of a head tilt, but it is improving.

I've read about mixing the medicine with baby food, but they are picky eaters, so I'd rather have a little struggle with both of them, and be assured they are getting the correct dosage each time. Between the graham crackers and Yogi's that they get after each dose, they quickly forgive me! ;)

aw, SO glad to hear they are finally showing improvement. they sound like such sweethearts! :aww:

interesting that they are picky eaters--you wouldn't think a rat would be! mine will pick stuff out of the mix that they like best, but if i wait on giving them more they usually eat it all. :P

Glad to hear they are improving Robin and Emily that was a great link! Thanks for posting it, I've saved that one to my Rodent file in my favorites list.

They are both little sweetie pies and I'm so thrilled that they are pulling through. Especially appreciated their sweetness as I decided NOT to promote the last two of Mrs. Snuggle's girls yesterday and offered one to Sierra who was in full blue last week and refused her meal, and one to Pandora who has never refused a meal to me. The one that I offered to Pandora was one that I really had a hard time deciding whether to promote or not. Pandora struck and killed her, but then decided that she'd rather not eat her. Her first refusal since I've had her, and she eats rats and mice. Broke my heart, because had I known beforehand, I probably would have ended up keeping her. It just felt like a waste of a good rat. :(

So, these two have gotten extra cuddles and snuggles last night and today.

Sometimes our snakes just like to frustrate us, keeps us from taking things for granted.

Rats are such snuggly creatures for being so small. Mine are fascinated by the new kitten.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Glad to hear they are improving Robin and Emily that was a great link! Thanks for posting it, I've saved that one to my Rodent file in my favorites list.

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there is a TON of good info on that site. lots of medical info and photos too which i've used a lot in my paranoia that "somebody" might have "something". :)

So when do you get your new camera Rab? We want to see pictures of these girls! :)

New camera arrives tomorrow!!!! Having it delivered to work, and will be sure to get some pictures of these girls!

Oh I'll be waiting to see the pics. I still can't find a blue self or hooded or anything even remotely interesting at any of our local pet stores so I'll live vicariously through you LOL.

Woohoo! You'll give us updated pictures on the ratties and the snakies right Robin?

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Originally Posted by Entropy

Woohoo! You'll give us updated pictures on the ratties and the snakies right Robin?

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Of course! But I also don't want to flood the forum with pictures (which I could easily do).

So - tracking the camera - it's arrived in the area and I'm waiting to see "out for delivery"! LOL

I doubt anyone would mind the picture flooding :D


Tracking deliveries gets to be so addicting, sometimes you just want to order something so you can track it! Or at least my strange addictive personality sometimes does.


How are the girls doing by the way?

Camera is here, so there will be some photography going on this evening, I'm sure!


The girls are improving, but Noel still ocassionally coughs, mostly after she's had medication forced upon her. We have 8 more days (not that I'm counting) to complete the antibiotics. Thank you for asking!