Normal poo switching back and fourth between diarrhea

[GerhardtsMom]

I wanted to ask, I had issues with my rat having diarrhea then going back and fourth from normal to diarrhea and back right now its and in between consistency where its a tad runny but in pellet form. I don't want to stress here out for a second time this week by taking her to a different vet for a second opinion.

 

[Emmabeeee1996]

Is she being fed watery vegetables? Some vegetables have lots of water in them, or some foods may not agree with them and can make them have diarrhea, even just trying new things could cause it too. I’m no expert! Just things to consider! Hope someone can give a more educated response

 

[SQ]

Feed her a small amount of cooked pumpkin - not pumpkin pie filling - you can buy a can at a grocery store

What is she eating?

How old is she?

Please post pics showing her belly.

Do you observe any of the following:

• Abdominal distention
• Failure to thrive
• Delayed to no passage of stool
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea (usually with a foul odor)
• Diarrhea interspersed with bouts of constipation
• Impacted fecal matter visible in the rectum
• Unusually shaped stools (large, blunt, broken, cylindrical)
• Imperforate anus/anal atresia (abnormal or missing rectal opening)

 

[GerhardtsMom]

She is 5 weeks old and eating lab bricks and a small amt of seeds but prefers the lab bricks.

 

[SQ]

She looks ok …. not bloated, which is good
Are you feeding oxbow?

try offering her a bit of the canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and see if that helps

 

[GerhardtsMom]

i did offer her a little bit on her Lab Brick and she is licking it off atm. I am unsure on what the food is that I was given by the breeder i can ask. I mean to switch her to something else once she has regular poos, I don't want to upset her system more than is it.

 

[SQ]

btw, if she is only 5 weeks old, she should still be with her mama and sisters

 

[GerhardtsMom]

that's what I thought she is weaned and what not so I wonder if he sent her home to soon just glad shes here and not possibly someone's meal. He breeds rats for food but sometimes they let you pick out some for pets. I am going Tues to get one of her siblings so hoping that might help her.

 

[lilspaz68]

Can you show us a pic of her body markings? She looks high white to me. Which could be much worse. You said you already took her to the vet? Was she given medications or antibiotics?

 

[GerhardtsMom]

antibiotics in water atm she is drinking it really well so not to worried but nervous if it continues

 

[lilspaz68]

Sigh. Antibiotics should never be in water and could be causing her diarrhea BUT she also is high white (splashy white markings) which also could mean megacolon, a horrible digestive genetic issue.

But lets start with the antibiotics, what are they? What form are they in...tablet or liquid? How are you mixing them into her water?

 

[GerhardtsMom]

its doxycycline 100mg powder mixed in her water bottle changed every other day she drinks about half of the bottle before I redo it I have 1dose left

 

[lilspaz68]

OK lets hope that is your problem. What were her symptoms and what was she diagnosed with to get you doxy?

 

[GerhardtsMom]

abcess on tail but also had diarrhea with the abcess, the pumpkin helped last night I will keep eye on her poop. she is trying to type on my phone to you.

 

[Emmabeeee1996]

Good luck to you , I hope it’s not megacolon and she’s just having diarrhea because of the doxy in water. Before I could save him from a little girl, I witnessed a rat with megacolon and it’s just awful and heartbreaking she’s very sweet and I’m glad you’re asking and informing yourself. If it is megacolon than maybe don’t get more rats from the same person as they may have the genetics for the same problem. I wish you the best!

 

[GerhardtsMom]

I am glad to find people that get it, the vet at a local office will be calling me that specializes in rats and I will be setting up a time next week for her to go in if it doesn't improve I just want to make sure I am doing anything and everything right for her

 

[GerhardtsMom]

I am glad to find people that get it, the vet at a local office will be calling me that specializes in rats and I will be setting up a time next week for her to go in if it doesn't improve I just want to make sure I am doing anything and everything right for her

I want second opinion to be safe

 

[Emmabeeee1996]

I am glad to find people that get it, the vet at a local office will be calling me that specializes in rats and I will be setting up a time next week for her to go in if it doesn't improve I just want to make sure I am doing anything and everything right for her

By trying to inform yourself and bringing her to the vet you really are doing everything you can! If it turns out to be something like that don’t feel guilty, Megacolon is fatal and I’m not sure how much can be done. You’ll know for next time about the doxy thing as well. I learned something too, I didn’t know that high whites carried that gene. The little guy that passed away was one now that I think of it. anyways let’s hope she’s completely fine

 

[lilspaz68]

Doxy is not a good antibiotic for abscesses, it doesn't attack the right bacteria. Doxy is also hard on the tummy. You might as well stop but KEEP those other 100 mg tablets/capsules as they might be handy in the future.

You could try a few things to help regulate her bowel movements initially. Probiotics like live culture yogurt is good to give every day to see if it helps her gut flora. You can also try her on the BRAT diet (Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) or some variant of to see if that helps.

If your wee one bloats up, then deflates with diarrhea over and over we are going to have to discuss Megacolon.

 

[GerhardtsMom]

so far so good she hasn't had signs of any bloating since I have had her. I am just concerned her poop is rice size finally but a little big, I am picking up oxbow later this week also a buddy from same breeder tomorrow. I am going to make sure to look them over really well to make sure there healthy.