R.I.P Miloh- 8/14-12/1

Miloh is dying. She had a lump(cyst?) on her neck and today it busted open. I found her in the cage after grocery shopping barely breathing and cold. The emergency vet charges $140 to euthanize and I don't even have half of that right now(just lost a guinea pig and had to pay that)...What do I do to make her comfy? I am so upset, I want to put her down before she suffers much longer but nobody is willing to help me.

I am so very sorry this is happening to both of you {{hugs}}

Keep her warm and cuddle her as she may be in shock.
Be with her, even if she is unable to respond she knows you are there and it will comfort her
Is she dehydrated? Dehydration kills.
Will she take any fluids or food with fluid in it? Watermelon? Ensure?

Is she on any medication?
Is she in pain? If so there is over the counter medication you could give her.
http://ratguide.com/meds/analgesics/acetaminophen.php
Info on metacam http://ratguide.com/meds/nsaids/meloxicam.php
and on ibuprofen http://ratguide.com/meds/nsaids/ibuprofen.php
a medication chart some use http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm

There is no way to humanely put a rat to sleep unless done by a vet
http://www.ratshackforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7652

Her feet are starting to turn blue... I don't even think she is with it. She will move sparatically(spelling) every now and then... :'(

Did she lose a lot of blood? I wish I could help more but it's hard when we don't know exactly what's going on.

If you think she's in pain and can swallow, pick up infant liquid ibuprofen and we'll help you keep her more comfortable til she passes.

It sounds like she isn't getting enough oxygen ... I am so very sorry
Is there any way you can borrow the money ?

I don't know what you can do besides keeping her warm, hydrated if possible (it sounds like it isn't unless you can give sub-Q fluids) , give pain meds if she can take them ....
and be there with her, holding her, cuddling her, talking to her, petting her

I would have asked you to post a picture but I think it is likely too late, unless a vet could help

{{Hugs}} to you both
I am so very sorry ........

I don't see any blood in the cage... she cannot eat or drink anything. She is just laying down

She is still hanging on. Warmed a rice sock for her and gave her some love..if she is alive in the AM I will go to my usual vet immediately. I know he will work with me on the money situation, because nobody wants to let me borrow money, and I don't get paid for another week and 3 days. raying:

Thinking of you, Zanya and Miloh.

I wonder if Miloh had an abscess? (You mentioned it had "busted open"...was it a pale greenish substance inside and did it smell bad? If so, it was an abscess which may be able to be treated.)

I agree with what others have written: It's helpful to keep her with you while she's in distress. If she passes, at least it will be while you're comforting her.

I'm glad you can take her to your vet in the morning.

You are both in my thoughts. Sending positive, warm wishes...

If you can post a pic of the burst lump or a video we might be able to help you better. Depending on what we see, as mentioned, it may be a treatable abscess...

She is still hanging on. Here is a picture before and after. I did not see it bust so I don't know what color it is. Her feet are still blue but I am taking her to the vet as soon as he gets there today. Can all this be from an abscess? Seems kind of weird to me.

Does the lump smell foul? Or just meaty and bloody?

Just bloody

Zanya said:

Just bloody

Click to expand...

Unfortunately that could be a tumour not an abscess

I agree it doesn't look like an abscess. I hope your vet is able to help Miloh.

Thinking of you both...

So vet thinks it's cancer, but I cannot afford blood tests/scans right now. We are going to try and treat her, and she is acting better. I swear she was dying last night. She started baytril and prednisone just now, and he said he will not charge me for euthanasia if she gets worse a day, month, or year from now. She is resting now. At least I can say we tried.

Zanya, if it's any comfort I've just got my boy Dawson on pred and baytril too. He's on his 3rd day of pred and second day of baytril.

He's looking a little brighter tonight, but not great to be honest. If he's not better or showing any quality of life in the next couple of days I'm gonna do what's right by him and have him pts.

I know what you're going through Hun. Dawson is Ill too. Tough isn't it.

Thinking of you xx

Oh, no! Not sweet boy Dawson. Give him hugs and kisses from me! Get well soon, little buddy! :'(
This is so hard. She is perking up a little but not her usual self.

Well now I found my two boys really sick! Is this URI or pneumonia? :-(
https://youtu.be/7mRJj5qInmc

The boy on the top just sounds nasally, so its an early catch. The boy on the bottom is unwell and struggling to breathe, hrs the one who is most worrying