URGENT - I think my rat is dying - Page 14

Maxmancrazy · 03-19-2013, 09:13 AM

Sadly Moon has passed on to the rainbow bridge, I didn't even get a chance to know her properly. I'm guessing she just wasn't meant to be , but now is in heaven with all the other passed on ratties. Sleep well little one. Goodbye

Gamina · 03-19-2013, 09:17 AM

Having a cage full of pet shop rescues I know how bad respy conditions can be. Its sad to hear about it in one so young. I hope her little sister is ok and I am sorry for your loss

With keeping rats for any length of time I think you get so used to knowing the ins and outs of medicating them you can almost talk it through and make suggestions to the vets! We even have our own stethoscope to I can check my boys every fortnight and while I don't claim to be a vet its easy when you know the sound of a little ones lungs to hear when somethings not right.

Starbuck had a respy weeze from around the 3/4 month mark when we got him but he lived with it, although managed till he was around 30 months (not a bad age considering). Thats part of the problem with pet shops selling rats as "pocket money pets" my Starbuck set us back around £500 in vet bills before he passed in his lifetime and Adama my old man is probably racking up close to that with elected surgery included. I would defiantly talk to your Mum about the issues they can face, it may be hard for her to understand with them only being small but its the horrible fact of things with pet shop rats

racinghamster · 03-19-2013, 09:47 AM

How sad for you. I`m sorry to hear she passed. Keeping rats can be a labour of love and one of the reasons I had to stop keeping them. I couldn`t bare watching my rats suffer from respiratory and related heart conditions to the extent it was affecting my own life due to me worrying about it so much. They are really wonderful little pets and many do live healthy lives if they are lucky. But most become prone to this sadly.

Rats really are an adult concern when it comes to their medication because they need funds for constant veterinary medications, some short term, some can be life-long. Rats can be cheap to buy, but not so when it comes to their health.

shiny · 03-19-2013, 10:02 AM

So sorry about Moon

Biscuit · 03-19-2013, 10:33 AM

I'm so sorry. R.I.P little one. xxx

**DrKMcK** · 03-19-2013, 10:41 AM

Hey Max, I'm glad your Mom took you to see the vet. I wish it had all turned out differently for Moon, but this is probably best. She was suffering and now she free of all the pain.

It is really hard to sit up all night with a pet and not be able to help her. I've been there a number of times with various pets through the years. I hope Jasmine stays healthy and happy. Even though this forum is for hamsters, yet has folks who are experienced with rats, I suggest you also check into a rat forum now, while Jasmine is in good shape. Emergencies are the worst time to need help and not know where to look. Also, the rat forums will be more exclusive in their info on things that will help Jasmine have a good quality of life. I've started looking at rat forums and literature myself because I am interested in getting a pair of rats. If you get a chance I'd love to see Jasmine.

Maxmancrazy · 03-19-2013, 12:25 PM

How do I attach pictures from an ipad to HC ?

**DrKMcK** · 03-19-2013, 12:28 PM

I'm not sure about anything to do with an ipad. Try PM one of the moderators. They can help you.

LavoChain · 03-19-2013, 12:33 PM

You can upload images from an ipad to photobucket and then use the IMG code to transfer it onto here.

I'm sorry moon passed and I'm even more sorry that the vet was useless. You are probably best looking into exotic vets as soon as you can, as has been said an emergency is the worst time to suddenly need a good vet.

When you are feeling better it may be an idea to get your existing rat a friend, if you join the fancy rat forum you can find lots of ratties up for adoption. Females are much easier to introduce than males however things can still go wrong, that's why it's best to adopt from a rescue as they will always take the rat/s back. Obviously you won't want to be thinking about this for now but as someone who has a lone rat (I'm trying to find him friends) I can honestly say that it is no way for them to live, they're very social animals.

Maxmancrazy · 03-19-2013, 12:46 PM

I have actually been out today and rescued a little rat called luna , shes a black and white hooded with a mismarked spot. Shes gorgeous x