Noel Update

[rabernet]

So, Noel has had head tilt during all this time she's being treated for myco, but it got especially bad today, so I rushed her into see Dr. C. I was prepared to have her put down, because she's having a hard time walking, and her equilibrium is all messed up.

He does not want to give up on her, he said as long as I see her eating and drinking, let's try to beat this. He called it Wry Neck (I may be spelling it wrong). He was going to prescribe Baytril, but she's already on it. So, he wants to try Meclizine for the next 10 days, .6 cc once a day. He said it has been used successfully in dogs and cats, and he just needed to figure out the correct doseage. He felt we'll either see a marked improvement in the next few days, or we'll re-assess her at that time. He weighed her and said he had to figure out the dosage for 1/22nd the weight of a rabbit.

He did check her ears - there is no ear infection.

Please keep her in your thoughts, she's really fighting for her life right now. Holly is perfect, and babies Noel. Dr. C did not feel that they needed to be separated and that Holly probably offers Noel comfort.

[lillyorchid]

Sending prayers your way for both Noel and you!

[recycling goddess]

sending sending sending

[Entropy]

Aww Robin, I was really hoping Noel was out of the woods. I'll be keeping the little girl in my thoughts.

[tigerlily]

Poor Noel. I sure hope she responds well to this treatment.

[rabernet]

She's doing worse today, she can't even stand up, but she's a fighter. Sadly, I think I'll be having her put down next week. She's not in any pain, and she's eating (albeit laying on her side - but she's munching down the pasta) and I've lowered the water bottle to almost floor level and she's drinking.


She scoots her body across the enclosure to get to the food, but I've set some food down near where she sleeps, and her eyes are bright, and she happily munches her food.

Holly's babying and cleaning her, I've been giving her cuddles. The fact that she WANTS to live (as evidenced by her appetite and drinking water) I keep hoping that she'll improve and continue the medicine.

I joked at the vets how much money I've spent on this little $10 rat, but I'm emotionally invested in her. He's just perplexed as to what's causing this. No inner ear infection that he could see. How do we treat what we don't know is causing it?

I'm just sending up lots of prayers right now that if she's meant to live, that she'll pull through - otherwise, I'll take her in one day this week. As long as she continues to eat and drink and show a will to live, I'll keep fighting with her.

[ZEKESMOM]

Many positive thougths for Noel and for you!

[mlededee]

poor noel. it is great that she is eating and drinking and seems to be in good spirits but this must be really pulling at your heartstrings. it makes me a little teary just reading about her. i really hope that she will turn around and get better. best wishes and prayers to noel and to you during this time.

[SatanicIntention]

Poor girl. Did he put her on any steroids or antiinflammatories? Sometimes a round of steroids will help the swelling go down so the antibiotics can work better. It would definitely make her feel better.

Maybe suggest 5-7 days of prednisolone and see what he says. I've had rats that stroked out and couldn't use their back legs or go to the bathroom. After a few days on the antibiotics and steroids they were back to a functioning rat(not 100% but able to function and be in a multi-level cage).

I hope she pulls through for you. It sounds like she's really trying!