Poppy's sick :(

PoppyCorn · 03-13-2007, 09:52 PM

Poppy was showing signs of not feeling well: lethargy, dry nose, sneezing, and scratching. I took her too an exotic animal vet today. He was very gentle with her and she seemed to like him too, if I can venture to say that I understand hamster body language. She stayed in one place while he moved his stethoscope all across her body. He held her up to check her bottom and she didn't move at all. She allowed him to rub her fur and to look closely at her eyes. The diagnosis: upper respiratory infection and mites (yes, mites!). The technician gave her a shot and they sent me home with oral Baytril to administer every 12 hours for 14 days. It will take care of the mites and the URI. The vet wants to see her back in two weeks. He kept remarking how cute a hamster she is. He told me he even wrote that down in her chart...LOL!

I gave her the first dose of oral Baytril earlier today. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was much easier than administering oral Baytril to my cockatiel! I hope tomorrow morning goes as easily. Fingers crossed...

souffle · 03-14-2007, 02:02 AM

Poor little Poppy. When her immune system is low it lets those pesky mites get a grip and makes the little ones even more uncomfortable. Did you get some probiotic from the vet to add to the water to help replace her good bacteria? It is a good idea or you could give her some plain live yogurt which is also good. I hope she gets well soon. Keep an eye on her rear for signs of diarrhoea or discharge and go staight back to the vets if she gets this. Baytril does not taste too good I believe so you could try adding a tiny bit of apple or cranberry juice to it.

Holly · 03-14-2007, 04:15 AM

Sorry to hear Poppy is unwell, good luck getting the medicine into her and I hope she's feeling better soon. It sounds like you have found an absolute treasure of a vet though.

PoppyCorn · 03-14-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

Poor little Poppy. When her immune system is low it lets those pesky mites get a grip and makes the little ones even more uncomfortable.

I didn't think about that but it makes sense.

Quote:

Did you get some probiotic from the vet to add to the water to help replace her good bacteria? It is a good idea or you could give her some plain live yogurt which is also good.

Thanks for mentioning that because I didn't know about it. I'll give her some plain live yogurt during the course of treatment. I mistakenly gave her .04 cc instead of .03 cc of Baytril last night.

Poppystarr corrected me this morning before I administered the second dose. It's always good to have a ten-year-old around!

This morning, I called the vet to find out if what I gave her last night was okay. They said it should be okay but to make sure I give her .03 cc from now on.

Quote:

I hope she gets well soon. Keep an eye on her rear for signs of diarrhoea or discharge and go staight back to the vets if she gets this. Baytril does not taste too good I believe so you could try adding a tiny bit of apple or cranberry juice to it.

The Baytril they gave me is fruit flavored and she took it just fine last night. This morning was a different story though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly

Sorry to hear Poppy is unwell, good luck getting the medicine into her and I hope she's feeling better soon. It sounds like you have found an absolute treasure of a vet though.

Thanks, Holly. This was the first time I'd gone to that vet but I liked him. He was a referral from a lady who rescues rats.

suga · 03-14-2007, 10:26 AM

I hope the little one gets well soon. I guess when they are feeling so poorly they will take what ever meds you want to give them, here's looking forward to you telling us that you are getting a bit of a fight with the meds soon on the road to recovery.

PoppyCorn · 03-14-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suga

I hope the little one gets well soon. I guess when they are feeling so poorly they will take what ever meds you want to give them, here's looking forward to you telling us that you are getting a bit of a fight with the meds soon on the road to recovery.

Oh, gosh...she gave me a bit of a struggle this morning. Must be feeling better already! Thanks for your well wishes, suga.

Intense125 · 03-14-2007, 11:45 AM

Sorry to hear of Poppy's illness but sounds like you are doing everything possible to facilitate a speedy recovery!! Keep us posted, and BTW, she is definite CUTE

flogging_molly · 03-14-2007, 11:48 AM

i hope poppy gets better soon

**babyboos** · 03-14-2007, 04:53 PM

what a lovely vet
good luck and hugs
hope poppy feels better soon and gets those pesky mites back under control

PoppyCorn · 03-14-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intense125

Sorry to hear of Poppy's illness but sounds like you are doing everything possible to facilitate a speedy recovery!! Keep us posted, and BTW, she is definite CUTE

I'll definitely keep you posted. Oh, and Poppy thanks you for the compliment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by flogging_molly

i hope poppy gets better soon

Thank you for your well wishes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboos

what a lovely vet
good luck and hugs
hope poppy feels better soon and gets those pesky mites back under control

Thanks! Poppy is more active tonight, a very good sign. She'll go back to the vet in about two weeks so he can recheck her. I'm glad I found that vet. I figured a rat rescue lady would have a good referral.