End of life treatment advice?

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edt94

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Although it is sad for the end of their journey to be in sight, it has been a fulfilling 2 and 1/2 years with my ratties. At their last visit to the vet, they were prescribed a final course of various medications and I was told that the goal is now to simply keep them comfortable as they approach the end. As such, I'm seeking some end of life treatment advice:

1) Over the course of the last month, one of my two rats, Socrates, has lost about 80% of his mobility. He drags himself across the floor and often topples over. However, he doesn't appear to be in pain and seems content to cuddle and receive help grooming/eating/drinking. In your opinion, can a rat live on in this condition? If he can pass on peacefully like this, I'd love to continue nursing him until his body shuts down or whatever happens with degeneration.

2) Once one of them passes on, what is the best approach to keeping the other content? I work full-time but spend time with them in the evenings. Although this has kept them happy while they're together, my more active rat has been getting increasingly bored as his brother has become less mobile. Trying to brainstorm ways to keep him happy.

3) Would it be acceptable to move them both to a smaller single-level cage (dimensions are about 30.5 inches X 15 inches)? They're currently in a multi-level ferret cage, but Socrates can only use one level of it and Ben, the active one, has hurt himself several times through over-exertion. Even with modifications to it, it's not completely practical for Socrates. I'd hate to confine Ben since he's so active, but it might be safer for both of them and I don't want to separate them since they help each-other out so much with grooming, nesting, exc. Suggestions?
 
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I'm sorry to hear that. :(
Ratties can live for a while like that, but you need to monitor their life and alter their surroundings(maybe consider the smaller cage, as long as it isn't too small) so that they don't get hurt. You also have to be honest, and when it's obvious that your boy isn't enjoying life anymore, have him put to sleep. Unfortunately, not all of our pets can peacefully pass at home. Most of mine have passed at the vet's, either PTS or in surgery, and I feel happy because none of them had to suffer.

As for your other boy, make sure you move him back into the bigger cage once his friend passes. Fill it with many toys and rotate them often to keep him entertained. The best best best best best course of action would be to get him a cagemate or two, because rats are social animals and should never be confined to being alone. :(
 
So sorry about your senior boys. But unfortunately you are preparing & that is good.
Yes - definately move them both to a single level cage. I just did that for all mine. Is there any way you can afford to get a cage that is a little bigger?
I would put a couple of hammocks close to the bottom and have a "hidey" also -like an igloo or even a box with a couple of holes cut in it that they can get in & out through.

What kind of meds is Socrates on? Has he had a diagnosis from the vet? Does he still eat well & drink?
He will definately need a very accessable "bed" to get to as he cannot climb.
Give them lotsa love & kissies ! - But I am sure you do that .:heart:
 
I'm sorry to hear that. :(
Ratties can live for a while like that, but you need to monitor their life and alter their surroundings(maybe consider the smaller cage, as long as it isn't too small) so that they don't get hurt. You also have to be honest, and when it's obvious that your boy isn't enjoying life anymore, have him put to sleep. Unfortunately, not all of our pets can peacefully pass at home. Most of mine have passed at the vet's, either PTS or in surgery, and I feel happy because none of them had to suffer.

As for your other boy, make sure you move him back into the bigger cage once his friend passes. Fill it with many toys and rotate them often to keep him entertained. The best best best best best course of action would be to get him a cagemate or two, because rats are social animals and should never be confined to being alone. :(

Thanks for the advice and insight. I'd love very much to get Ben another cagemate once Socrates passes, but it isn't a very practical option at this point. They're both nearing the end of their lives and I don't plan on owning rats for a while after these two babies. Love them to death, but not at a place right now where I can start over like that.
 
So sorry about your senior boys. But unfortunately you are preparing & that is good.
Yes - definately move them both to a single level cage. I just did that for all mine. Is there any way you can afford to get a cage that is a little bigger?
I would put a couple of hammocks close to the bottom and have a "hidey" also -like an igloo or even a box with a couple of holes cut in it that they can get in & out through.

What kind of meds is Socrates on? Has he had a diagnosis from the vet? Does he still eat well & drink?
He will definately need a very accessable "bed" to get to as he cannot climb.
Give them lotsa love & kissies ! - But I am sure you do that .:heart:

The vet didn't diagnose exactly what Socrates' issues are since she said she wouldn't be willing to perform surgery regardless due to his health history and age, but he has a growth that may be cancerous and she suspects some sort of thyroid issue as well. She suspected him to keep gaining weight and become less functional over time. They're both on a Zithro & Orbax (Baytril family) combo for chronic URI symptoms, and Ben is on Metacam for spinal pain. I could likely find a bigger single level cage, if needed. Socrates doesn't move around enough to need the extra room, but Ben does. As of now, Socrates is eating and drinking with some minor assistance. Thanks for the cage/bed recommendations!
 
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One more thing, what approximate dimensions should I look for in a single level cage for the boys? I was reading one guideline that says approximately 2 cubic feet per rat, which makes the one I currently have at 30.5" x 15" x 14" just barely miss the cut, but not sure.
 
I keep all my rats in the Critter Nation regardless of mobility. I do make modifications:
Ramp covers on all the ramps so they can't get a foot stuck, lowering the shelves so the ramp incline is as low as possible, adding a second shelf so any falls are minimized and putting an extra ramp between the shelves, hides and hammocks in a spot they can crawl into, water and food on a few levels, etc.
I had one girl with large tumours - I would put her at the top of the DCN, and she would work her way down the cage during the day, then I would put her at the top again, and repeat. She used the whole cage!
As long as your boys are happy and eating, I would keep them going. If a person loses mobility, they still live their life! We just use a wheel chair instead of dragging ourselves around on our bellies. ;)
If you can't take your remaining boy to work when the other passes, then whatever company you can give him will have to suffice unless you can find him an elderly cagemate to foster until he too passes. I tried to intro my elderly girl to a new group, and she would have none of it. I ended up keeping her in her cage next to the other cage so she could hear/see/smell the other rats but not live with them.
 
I keep all my rats in the Critter Nation regardless of mobility. I do make modifications:
Ramp covers on all the ramps so they can't get a foot stuck, lowering the shelves so the ramp incline is as low as possible, adding a second shelf so any falls are minimized and putting an extra ramp between the shelves, hides and hammocks in a spot they can crawl into, water and food on a few levels, etc.
I had one girl with large tumours - I would put her at the top of the DCN, and she would work her way down the cage during the day, then I would put her at the top again, and repeat. She used the whole cage!
As long as your boys are happy and eating, I would keep them going. If a person loses mobility, they still live their life! We just use a wheel chair instead of dragging ourselves around on our bellies. ;)
If you can't take your remaining boy to work when the other passes, then whatever company you can give him will have to suffice unless you can find him an elderly cagemate to foster until he too passes. I tried to intro my elderly girl to a new group, and she would have none of it. I ended up keeping her in her cage next to the other cage so she could hear/see/smell the other rats but not live with them.

Thanks, I'll keep fighting for him until I know he's had enough :) After reading yours and dspch911's advice, I wound up moving them back to their ferret cage. It's much harder to modify than a Critter Nation (I think it's a SuperPet), but I moved the shelves closer together, added food and water to multiple levels, and got some more toys to place on the bottom floor for Socrates to occupy himself with since he's done using the upper levels. Not completely happy with the setup, but it's better than it was before.
 
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