Erin Hamby
New member
I used to have 2 rats but the older one passed away leaving 18 month old Nimh alone.
So I bought a little rat named leon to keep him company.
Both rats were bought as young feeder rats with respiratory infections. Nimh's went away and for over the time I've had him he's been much better and is happy and full of personality.
I came home today and Leon, whom I've had for about 2 months, was dead.
I had taken great care of him just the way I did with Nimh and thought he was better but I guess I was wrong. And even worse, I think he awakened the old bacteria from Nimh's infection from when he was a tiny thing because now Nimh is hunching his back, going limp when I pick him up, his breathing is a bit off, and I haven't seen him drink water for a long time now.
Tonight I made him take in a little water by holding the corner of his mouth as I cradle him(because he's very weak) but that's it. He isn't showing much interest in food either and the only thing he's been able to eat was a bit of wheat bread and a nibble or two of some salad I fed him since he's having trouble with his solid rat food.
Leon died quickly after his symptoms occurred and it would just kill me to have to lose Nimh like that too. Ive had so many great memories with this intelligent, quad riding, potty trained, cuddly, loving, and all around amazing rat and would do anything to make him better.
The local vet is closed for the weekend and I don't think he can wait that long for treatment. We don't have any antibiotics in the house, just some pain killer from when my kitten had it's tail injured by another cat and had it amputated and some Vicks (which i don't know if i should use to make his breathing a bit clearer or what?) Please. I am desperate. It's trial and error right now because I'm not sure how much longer he has. Doing the wrong thing would be better than doing nothing at all as I don't think he will make it without help.
I have a little money... is there anything from a pharmacy that would work in a small dose?
Some kind of antibiotic that is cheap and over the counter?
HELP
So I bought a little rat named leon to keep him company.
Both rats were bought as young feeder rats with respiratory infections. Nimh's went away and for over the time I've had him he's been much better and is happy and full of personality.
I came home today and Leon, whom I've had for about 2 months, was dead.
I had taken great care of him just the way I did with Nimh and thought he was better but I guess I was wrong. And even worse, I think he awakened the old bacteria from Nimh's infection from when he was a tiny thing because now Nimh is hunching his back, going limp when I pick him up, his breathing is a bit off, and I haven't seen him drink water for a long time now.
Tonight I made him take in a little water by holding the corner of his mouth as I cradle him(because he's very weak) but that's it. He isn't showing much interest in food either and the only thing he's been able to eat was a bit of wheat bread and a nibble or two of some salad I fed him since he's having trouble with his solid rat food.
Leon died quickly after his symptoms occurred and it would just kill me to have to lose Nimh like that too. Ive had so many great memories with this intelligent, quad riding, potty trained, cuddly, loving, and all around amazing rat and would do anything to make him better.
The local vet is closed for the weekend and I don't think he can wait that long for treatment. We don't have any antibiotics in the house, just some pain killer from when my kitten had it's tail injured by another cat and had it amputated and some Vicks (which i don't know if i should use to make his breathing a bit clearer or what?) Please. I am desperate. It's trial and error right now because I'm not sure how much longer he has. Doing the wrong thing would be better than doing nothing at all as I don't think he will make it without help.
I have a little money... is there anything from a pharmacy that would work in a small dose?
Some kind of antibiotic that is cheap and over the counter?
HELP