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  1. L

    Yes or no to surgery?

    Thanks very much for your words of wisdom Kye. I'll stick with supportive care.
  2. L

    Yes or no to surgery?

    My lovely rat Pettigrew ("Petty-goo") has gone noticeably downhill of late. For a while I thought it might be just his aging (he's now 25.5 months old) but after a mini-crisis resembling heart failure I rushed him to the vet today. Ultrasound revealed a significant mass in his abdomen, which...
  3. L

    Cabergoline HELP

    How is the 2nd rat? Is he on Cabergoline now?
  4. L

    Inner ear infection vs PT help

    I'm very sorry for your loss. It's hard to watch a rat decline with PT.
  5. L

    Inner ear infection vs PT help

    If still no improvement with the antibiotic perhaps time to consider other options; the initial small improvement may have been due to corticosteroids given. Senior females are especially prone to PT so you might ask your vet about possible trial of cabergoline for diagnostic and (hopefully)...
  6. L

    Favorite rat Christas video?

    Well darn, video is inaccessible on this site. Maybe copy and paste this URL (remove brackets) into your own server? () Or do search under "Merry Christmas - the pet rat way"
  7. L

    Favorite rat Christas video?

    Here's mine - it features my two favourite screen actors, the late great Whiskey and Womble. Music is the old classic Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens. Happy Holidays everyone!
  8. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    What to say...my condolences. You obviously loved that little guy. I'm sure he had a wonderful life with you.
  9. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    Poor little fella but at least he has loving humans. Thanks for the update..
  10. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    Do you think Joey could manage any syringe feeding at this point? Dehydration and/or low blood sugar can cause lethargy and disorientation in themselves. I try giving my sickest rats fruit juice mixed with either yogurt or baby food. If dehydration is a big problem I give pedialyte by syringe...
  11. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    So sorry for you and for Joey. This outcome likely weighs against the tentative diagnosis of PT, though it can't be ruled out. As others noted above, his presentation has not been entirely typical of PT, especially the sudden onset. Such onset would of course be typical for stroke, which might...
  12. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    In my experience cabergoline usually takes three or more days to make a noticable difference. This drug is known to have possible side effects, including lethargy - I have noticed the latter with some past rats. Is Joey still on metaclopromide? If so that may reduce the potency of his...
  13. L

    Pet Rat started falling to one side, very unbalanced, lethargic not pooping

    So sorry that Joey is going through this. A PT-related brain hemorrhage could make an asymptomatic rat suddenly show symptoms, though such bleeds usually occur in more advanced cases of PT. Cabergoline remains the long-term drug of choice for PT (barring contraindications); bromocriptine can...
  14. L

    My dear friend Louie passed over the rainbow bridge. 😞

    Oh what an adorable boy. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your remaining rat can find solace together.
  15. L

    What are you doing these days? New Ratties? Trips? Making things?

    Are the wildlings doing well? Are they in any way different from the "fancy rats" you've had in the past?
  16. L

    What are you doing these days? New Ratties? Trips? Making things?

    Congratulations on your baby! There's a major life change, and I can see how you might not have enough time/energy for pets right now. But your fond memories of rats will linger, and odds are you will find yourself missing them some day. When your little one grows old enough demand a pet of...
  17. L

    Tumor trouble

    I have also found that sick rats prefer softer foods. My ailing ones have often gone for fruit-flavoured yogurt, avocado or baby food cereals - things that offer some good nutrition and calories.
  18. L

    Rat chat ❤️❤️

    Step one is to take your girl to a vet with knowledge of pet rats. You need to find out if it is for sure a mammary tumour, and also if your girl has any other medical concerns (such as undetected respiratory symptoms). How old is she? If it's clearly a mammary tumour and she's otherwise...
  19. L

    My rat is losing weight rapidly and I’m not sure what to do/:

    The right meds at right dosage should have taken effect by now...if it is indeed a respiratory infection. Did the vet give you a combo of Baytril (enrofloxacin) and Doxycycline? That's one first-line treatment for respiratory infections. Another, sometimes more potent, is azithromycin. Vets...
  20. L

    My rat is losing weight rapidly and I’m not sure what to do/:

    Sorry...I meant how long has Opal been on the meds.
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