Please send vibes for my rats....

[undergunfire]

Ralphie and Louie were acting odd last night, so I gave them nummy food and kept the heat on in the house. I woke up this morning and their breathing is terrible. We got them into the carrier and headed to the vet at 8am with no appointment, right when their doors opened....

I asked the receptionist if I could drop them off and have Dr. Luna see them as soon as she possibly could. The receptionist proceeded to tell me that Dr. Luna's last day at the office was yesterday and that she opened her own practice in Lake Havasu, AZ (4 hours away). I asked if Dr. Batt (my bunny vet) could see my rats and I was told that she does not have rat knowledge. She proceeded to give me 2 numbers over vet's in town that see pet rats.

I called the two vets. Vet #1 said that their exotics vet was out of town for a few weeks. Vet #2 has no rat knowledge because I have been there before, they wouldn't give me Doxy for head-tilt and held up my rat by the tail. I called all the vets in this area with NO LUCK...not even one of them would see us and were willing to figure out the issue.

The issue? They have both contracted very bad URI's literally overnight.


I sent Miranda (the girl who I had fostered her 3 rats before) a text and she has the meds on hand. She went to the post office today and had them mailed over night to me. They will not arrive until 3pm tomorrow. I am taking the day off of work to keep both boys as comfy as possible.

All I have on hand is Baytril and that is not a strong enough medication to tackle this.



I am so angry and upset that I didn't even receive a letter in the mail saying I soon would not have a rat vet. I have an emergency and there are no vets who can help me. I don't know what to do....

As of just a little while ago I noticed Spartan is acting up. I think what is happening is a "myco" flare up. With no vets to help me and limited meds coming in the mail tomorrow...the news does not look good.

At this point, I do not think my Nakie Ralphie will make it through the night. I have a heating pad on the cage and have done all that I can to make them comfortable.


I've lost Zaide (our kitten), Spook (my baby foster rat), Mace (a piggie I adopted out to Alicia), and now possibly my three rat boys.

 

[seniorcats]

Amy, what meds do you need? If I have it, I will overnight it tomorrow. I have a lot Clindamycin liquid. Can you use it?

I would give them the Baytril anyway just to have them on something. Do you have any TSC's or feed and grain or farmer's supply stores where you can buy your own antibiotic?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

:hug: I'm sorry Amy... I don't know anything about ratties... Saying prayers for you and your little ones.
ray: I hope everybody feels better really soon... Sorry I can't do more for you

 

[undergunfire]

I asked and Clindamycin liquid won't help, I asked. A lady from the rat forum said that a Baytril/Doxy combo is best.

I don't have TSC near me. Do they sell Baytril or Doxy?

 

[seniorcats]

I'm not sure on the Baytril or Doxy. Ours has various penicillins, terramycin, tetracycline - mostly as injectibles on the penicillin. Sometimes it varies from store to store. Can a local vet call your old vet who moved away and get help over the phone?

 

[undergunfire]

seniorcats wrote:

I'm not sure on the Baytril or Doxy. Ours has various penicillins, terramycin, tetracycline - mostly as injectibles on the penicillin. Sometimes it varies from store to store. Can a local vet call your old vet who moved away and get help over the phone?

I am going to try to figure something out tomorrow, in case the meds Miranda sent are not enough. Some vet HAS to do something for me.

It's just not fair, arg.

 

[seniorcats]

Doxycycline is a variety of tetracycline. Don't stores that sell fish sell tetracycline for them without a prescription? I could swear I've seen it.

I double checked my drug drawer and there is a small amt of Orbax and Albon. Put in a call to my friend Beth at the shelter to see what drugs she might have on hand.

 

[undergunfire]

Thank you so much, seniorcats!

The rat lady I have been talking to is a vet tech, so she was helping me a lot. I am trying to do more research, though.

Fish stores do sell meds for fish...but I am not sure if they are the same for rats. I'll find out, though...

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Amy, just a thought....... you don't have any of those little edible huts/furniture they have been making/selling do you? the pressed hay mix?

 

[Michaela]

Any updates?

I really hope your boys are ok Amy! ray:

 

[JadeIcing]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

Amy, just a thought....... you don't have any of those little edible huts/furniture they have been making/selling do you? the pressed hay mix?

No she doesn't.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Thanks, Ali. I hate those things and I swear they killed our last rat.

I'm praying for these guys. I love her boys. We talk about nakie Ralphie all the time. We want a nakie cause of him....

ray:

 

[JadeIcing]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

Thanks, Ali. I hate those things and I swear they killed our last rat.

I'm praying for these guys. I love her boys. We talk about nakie Ralphie all the time. We want a nakie cause of him....

ray:

She and I have discussed those things since we first saw them. I have heard several people have healthy animals than get that. Some how there animals become ill and I just don't trust them.

 

[EileenH]

How is it going? I'm thinking of you & your crew, it's so scary, I know....

Keep us posted.

 

[MissBinky]

Oh no I know how much you love them Amy, I hope they will all pull through ok. Thinking of you :rose:

 

[undergunfire]

With talking to Lise, it is pneumonia. The boys will not take a mixture of chocolate Ensure & water through the syringe...not even by drinking it from the dish. They show now interest in eating. When I try to force it into them, it throws them into a breathing attack. They sound like huffing squeaky toys.

I am heart broken. I may go from 3 tubby boys to no tubby boys. I can't expect a "win" from this because if I let myself think they will make it...I may be let down in the end. I am really hoping they will pull out of it. I hope that Miranda has sent a lot of the medications we need. If not, tomorrow we will be going to our vet and demanding that Dr. Batt (my now bunny vet) sees them. They HAVE to have books or something there to look up information. We are going to go by Ryan's mom's house tonight to print out information to give to them.

It's just not fair.

 

[TinysMom]

:hug1

I can't do more than that - I'm sorry.

 

[undergunfire]

The Doxy just arrived in the mail :bow. I am waiting for some one on the rat forum help me with the dosages of Doxy & Baytril.

Please send happy healing vibes for my boys :hearts.

 

[LedaHartwood]

Nothing but love and good thoughts headed your way, from me and all my bunnies!

 

[Cove]

Sending good vibes your way, hope all will be OK.

ray: