:(

[ratcreature]

My rat Rusty is in a really bad way. I'm not sure what happened. I mean, he has the usual myco lung problems, but last week saw the end of an antibiotics course that had pushed the infection back, so his breathing was fine.

Only then Friday I noticed that he wasn't eating right, and when I weighed him I noticed that he lost almost 20g (!) from when I weighed him last during the antibiotics. I monitored for weight loss because he had problems while on antibiotics before and he got supporting meds with good bacteria this time.

But yesterday evening he still went outside during playtime and walked around a little, even if he seemed a bit wobbly. And then early this morning he ate some cantaloupe, so I didn't think it was necessary to go to the emergency vet hour this morning, and that it could wait for tomorrow. Only now a two hours later he looks more dead than alive, mostly unresponsive, and I think he's probably going to die. If he makes it to tomorrow, I'm going to bring him to the vet, but I'm not sure they can do anything to help him anyway. I mean, the therapeutic options for rats are not that vast. They have injections that can give a short energy boost, that they give to help a rat until antibiotics kick in, if it is in a bad way with an infection, but I'm not sure that would help here. Rusty isn't even that old, only a year and eight months. :(

This group of brothers has been having really bad luck. Even worse than the usual guaranteed heartbreak with rats. Why can't rats have the lifespan of turtles or parrots? :(

Comments

[bluemeridian]

Poor Rusty! *pets him gently*

[ratcreature]

It's just awful. I suspect that there must be something wrong with him internally besides the myco.

[king_touchy]

Sometimes it's so hard to love the animals in our lives.

[ratcreature]

It really is. Of course I know rats are never long lived, but I always hope they make it some months past two at least. :(

[king_touchy]

I think I've mentioned the little mouse I had that made it three years. I think, from what I've read from you and another person on my list who keeps rats (forget the name) that rats are tricky to keep and often have health issues. So sad: rats are awesome little creatures. I get tempted once in a while to get another rodent, but that makes me hesitate. Plus the three active cats I have.

Let us know about Rusty.

[rosaw]

I'm so sorry for you and Rusty. {{{hug}}}