SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Elvira is approx. 2.5 years old (or more). She has a genetic deformity as her chest is too shallow and wide. This has worsened as she has aged. El has been on permanent antibiotics and lasix since I adopted her from the SPCA last summer. My vet says the muscles that allow her lungs to fill with air are being stretched sideways and that is why she is now experiencing difficulty breathing.
At present Elvira is on baytril, zithro & Lasix. She is down to 208 g, having lost almost 30g in a couple of weeks. El doesn't feel well, isn't eating a lot, is almost limp at times, etc I have been syringe feeding her and giving sub-Q fluids for the last few days.
Elvira has slowly been showing signs of pt - head bumping & some confusion. She has also been circling around objects like the water dish. At times she hangs her head down but her breathing does look too bad. Elvira now cuddles up to and sleeps with Simon ... this is new behaviour. Elvira has been living with Simon since she became ill and Strom (Simon's sister) had to be pts, leaving Simon all alone in the seniors cage (they require extra soft food, etc which the younger rats would rapidly consume)
But her breathing doesn't look as labored as before.
I started her on pred yesterday in the hope it will help the pt, as that may be at least part of the reason El hasn't been eating enough.
I am wondering if I should start Elvira on bromo, wondering if I should put her through that as it can be hard on rats.
What do you think?
Elvira today ....... and with Simon Peter (hed, chf, obese after months on meds and little mobility)
Elivra just circled the hat ....
At present Elvira is on baytril, zithro & Lasix. She is down to 208 g, having lost almost 30g in a couple of weeks. El doesn't feel well, isn't eating a lot, is almost limp at times, etc I have been syringe feeding her and giving sub-Q fluids for the last few days.
Elvira has slowly been showing signs of pt - head bumping & some confusion. She has also been circling around objects like the water dish. At times she hangs her head down but her breathing does look too bad. Elvira now cuddles up to and sleeps with Simon ... this is new behaviour. Elvira has been living with Simon since she became ill and Strom (Simon's sister) had to be pts, leaving Simon all alone in the seniors cage (they require extra soft food, etc which the younger rats would rapidly consume)
But her breathing doesn't look as labored as before.
I started her on pred yesterday in the hope it will help the pt, as that may be at least part of the reason El hasn't been eating enough.
I am wondering if I should start Elvira on bromo, wondering if I should put her through that as it can be hard on rats.
What do you think?
Elvira today ....... and with Simon Peter (hed, chf, obese after months on meds and little mobility)
Elivra just circled the hat ....
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