Declining health in lone rat :(

Hiya everyone I’m new to this but I really need some advice from fellow rat owners.
I got 4 boys nearly 3 years ago who were my third lot of rats. They suffered from respiratory problems from day one but we were very vigilant and made sure that they were happy and healthy as could be.
We lost the first two in september and October of last year from pituitary tumours, and the third in November from complications with his respiratory illness. 2 of my boys were put to sleep as their suffering was too great and their quality of life was diminishing , and our lovely vet (who cried when they were put to sleep) advised us that this was the right idea.
We’re now left with one very strong boy Caspar. He has spent his whole life in perfect health until he lost his brothers. I made a decision not to get him a cage mate purely because he’s always been a bit on the aggressive side and I wouldn’t want to cause him more stress.
I fear now that he is suffering from a pituitary tumour. He is also losing control over his back legs and I am having to get penis plugs out every day
He’s eating and drinking and I’ve modified his cage so that he can’t fall. He comes out for a cuddle several times a day.
Really I just don’t know what to do. I feel like it’s selfish if I keep him alive while he can barely walk and is wasting away, his bones are protruding a lot and I can hear his breathing troubles.
I’m conflicted on what to do, as silly as it sounds these rats have been the light of my life since 2016 and I don’t want to let go, but I won’t let him suffer.
Just hoping that someone else has been through the same situation and can give me some advice.
Thank you x

Absolutely been through this multiple times. Try not to look at his failing body but how happy he is getting those ear and shoulder scratches. How much he loves his food whether he has to drag himself to it or not. How bad are the PT symptoms and the respiratory issues? Can you post a video?

Thanks for the reply. The respiratory problem is definitely the least of my worries at the moment, they’re quite mild for his age and I’m using a nebuliser for 10 minutes a day which seems to Be helping. The pt symptoms do seem to be worsening slowly which is what is worrying me, I don’t want him to be suffering for a long time. He can still hold food in his front paws which Is great, he does have difficulty and can only do it on his side but I’m Happy to assist him with eating and drinking as much as I can. He does seem to be happy which is my main thing , but rats are so stoic so I just don’t know how bad I can let it get.
I took him to a vet that I thought was really good with rats just to get advice on how to keep him as comfortable as possible and keep him from feeling lonely as he lost all of his brothers quite suddenly, and all they seemed to advise was to put him To sleep, which I am against as he is happy and eating and drinking for now.
If anyone has any helpful advice on this I’d Be grateful as I’m having a hard time finding a vet that I can trust
Thank you

*** He needs to be on antibiotics for the respiratory problem - not sure if he is or not from what you wrote,
But if not getting better then he needs different antibiotics or a different combo
suggest baytril + azithromycin (10 mg/Ib) and if it doesn't help, doxy can be added to the other two
If they don't help he may need to be tested with Lasix for a heart issue and put on heart meds
Breathing is essential so it needs to be your first priority!
Please see the list and links re breathing issues at: https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/enrofloxacin_baytril.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/azithromycin.php

as for PT, the treatment is and antibiotic (such as baytril) + a steroid (such as prednisone) orally twice a day for life
If he has the most common type of pt then add cabergoline - it is given every 3 days and is more effective and is easier for rats to tolerate then bromocriptine - the only way to see if it is needed is to see if it helps
Depending on the type of pt and how fast it is growing, the meds may be able to give a lot of good quality time
http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/pituitary_tumor.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/prednisone_prednisolone.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/central_nervous_system_drugs/cabergoline.php

Please post some videos (post to youtube and put the links on here)

As lilspaz68 said, we need to know how bad the breathing and mobility issues are

Rats can have a great quality of life even without the use of their back legs …… as long as they are given the support and care they need …… grooming and washing, feeding - sounds like he needs soft foods, and possibly supplemented with syringe feeding 3 or 4 times a day, cuddled and held etc at least 3 or 4 times/day, one level cage with padded soft floor, hammocks hung low so he can crawl into them etc
foods such as : rat blocks soaked in cool water to make mush, and organic soy infant formula thickened with baby cereal will give needed nutrition and help with hydration
In addition foods such as cooked squash, cooked sweet potato, peas, mixed greens, baby kale, cooked real oatmeal, homemade barley lentil and veg soup, baby food etc make good treats

Do you need info on how to have rats humanely put to sleep .. most vets do not know how to do it properly
Sandra and Rhys (seen below) had a good life despite mobility issues and Sandra's pt

SQ said:

*** He needs to be on antibiotics for the respiratory problem - not sure if he is or not from what you wrote,
But if not getting better then he needs different antibiotics or a different combo
suggest baytril + azithromycin (10 mg/Ib) and if it doesn't help, doxy can be added to the other two
If they don't help he may need to be tested with Lasix for a heart issue and put on heart meds
Breathing is essential so it needs to be your first priority!
Please see the list and links re breathing issues at: https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/enrofloxacin_baytril.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/azithromycin.php

as for PT, the treatment is and antibiotic (such as baytril) + a steroid (such as prednisone) orally twice a day for life
If he has the most common type of pt then add cabergoline - it is given every 3 days and is more effective and is easier for rats to tolerate then bromocriptine - the only way to see if it is needed is to see if it helps
Depending on the type of pt and how fast it is growing, the meds may be able to give a lot of good quality time
http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/pituitary_tumor.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/prednisone_prednisolone.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/central_nervous_system_drugs/cabergoline.php

Please post some videos (post to youtube and put the links on here)

As lilspaz68 said, we need to know how bad the breathing and mobility issues are

Rats can have a great quality of life even without the use of their back legs …… as long as they are given the support and care they need …… grooming and washing, feeding - sounds like he needs soft foods, and possibly supplemented with syringe feeding 3 or 4 times a day, cuddled and held etc at least 3 or 4 times/day, one level cage with padded soft floor, hammocks hung low so he can crawl into them etc
foods such as : rat blocks soaked in cool water to make mush, and organic soy infant formula thickened with baby cereal will give needed nutrition and help with hydration
In addition foods such as cooked squash, cooked sweet potato, peas, mixed greens, baby kale, cooked real oatmeal, homemade barley lentil and veg soup, baby food etc make good treats

Do you need info on how to have rats humanely put to sleep .. most vets do not know how to do it properly
Sandra and Rhys had a good life despite mobility issues and Sandra's pt

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Sorry, I should’ve specified that he has all necessary medication, he’s been on antibiotics for his respiratory issues for a long while and the nebuliser is used alongside the medication to ease symptoms and aid. As soon as I suspected pt he was put on the same steroid medication my first rat was as that gave him 2 extra happy months.
Thank you for food info he is happy to crunch On a carrot now and again but we will defo need to begin with soft food, your suggestions will be so helpful.
As for grooming, Caspar is very uncomfortable with me helping him. He lets me get the penis plugs out but will kick up a huge fuss if I try to ‘wash’ him using cotton wool soaked in warm water. Do you have any suggestions for this as he is the first rat I have had real trouble with this, I don’t want to agitate him but it needs to be done.
My rats have all been put to sleep humanely and I’ve been there with them so I’m okay on that front, I’m not thinking about having him put to sleep soon though.
I feel like I’m asking you a lot of questions but you seem very knowledgable and I just wanted to ask is there anything you’ve done if you’ve had only one rat to make them feel less lonely when you’re not there? He’s with me pretty much 24/7 when I’m home, but I’m at work a lot and when I’ve given him toys to cuddle up to they’ve ended up in his toilet.
Thank you so much for your reply

This can be stressful until they get used to it, but I put warm water into the bathroom sink and support my rattie so their upper body and head are supported on my hand and arm, with their back feet able to touch the bottom of the sink ….. and basically soak their lower body to clean it and sometimes flex their back legs gently - my vet jokingly refers to it as physio …….. I haven't used soap and it seems to help …. after a few times they realise they are safe and supported …. and they seem to enjoy the cuddles and drying in the towel/blanket in my lap afterwards, complete with massaging and ear rubs etc

as for being alone …… not much you can do ….. put their cage next to other rats if you have others that can not be introed to them, or part time with others if safe, give a toy with no small parts and safe stuffing as you suggested, fleece, hammocks, clean cotton baby blankets to snuggle in and spend hours with them

you can give hard foods and his regular food in case he is able to eat them, but the soft foods are important for hydration and because they are easier to eat

Sandra and Rhys (pictured above) had to be put to sleep a few months ago
My Scotty was 3 yrs in Nov and can no longer use his back legs so dealing with this now too

If your rattie still has breathing issues, his meds may need to be changed or different meds added

hope this helps

Lilspaz68 knows much more then I do so don't forget to answer her questions and post videos